Vehicle Damage To Trees: Fixing A Tree Hit By Car

By Bonnie L. Grant Traumatic injury to trees can be a serious and even deadly problem. Vehicle injury to trees can be particularly difficult to correct since the damage is often severe. Fixing a tree hit by car is a

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Book Review: 5 Stars for Stay Alive! Survival Skills You Need, By John D. McCann

Have you been looking for a book that covers survival kits and gear as well as basic survival skills? Stay Alive!: Survival Skills You Need, by John D McCann, is a book you should consider. After reading and reviewing the second edition of Read More

The post Book Review: 5 Stars for Stay Alive! Survival Skills You Need, By John D. McCann by Robert Camp appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

Festive Cranberry Crunch Bark

Happy New Year! Here's to a fresh and new year that is about to unfold for all of us.

If you can stand one more sweet treat, I found this recipe from Pampered Chef several years ago and got it back out again this year for the Holidays. It’s a really good candy treat, with white chocolate, cranberries, rice crispy cereal, and almonds. Very tasty and easy to make. If you happen to need a dessert recipe, this is a good one. Very festive for Christmas and the whole Holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Years.

The post Festive Cranberry Crunch Bark appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

5 things I learned from lice

Lice – they’re something every parent hopes they never have to deal with. To have bugs crawling around and laying eggs in your hair or your child’s hair can send shivers up anyone’s spine and fill you with dread. But, Read More

The post 5 things I learned from lice by Sarah Anne Carter appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

Buddhist Garden Ideas: Tips For Creating A Buddhist Garden

By Mary H. Dyer, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener What is a Buddhist garden? A Buddhist garden may display Buddhist images and art, but more importantly, it can be any simple, uncluttered garden that reflects Buddhist principles of peace, serenity,

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Progress at Ruby’s Lake House

I had not been back to Ruby’s lake house since the day that demolition began a few months ago. They showed up with big bulldozers and took the old house completely down to the ground and I had not seen the property since that day. It was such a thrill to go with Ruby recently to see the progress on the lake house and wow has it changed. If you missed the story that I did a few months ago about Ruby’s dream come true lake house, take a look at it. I’m so thrilled for my friends that they are getting the chance to build and live on the lake now, after downsizing from a huge home in a subdivision.

The post Progress at Ruby’s Lake House appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

The Best Prepper Guns List – Must Have Weapons for SHTF

Written by Pat Henry on The Prepper Journal.

As another year draws to a close, I find myself considering a host of issues that I routinely pause to reflect on at the end of each year. Since I started prepping back in 2007, my days to varying degrees are filled with a sense of expectation that wanes or increases with current events and […]

The post The Best Prepper Guns List – Must Have Weapons for SHTF appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

Homeschooling: Where Academics & Survival Skills Meet

Homeschooling is quite an undertaking, but one of the great benefits of homeschooling is that you can teach your kids the real-world skills you think they will need to survive, not what some bureaucrat decreed. (For the life of me, Read More

The post Homeschooling: Where Academics & Survival Skills Meet by Teraesa Farrell appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

Islamic Garden Plants: Creating Islamic Gardens And Landscapes

By Bonnie L. Grant The urge to create beauty in one’s surroundings is a human characteristic but, in many cases, it is also a reflection of religious beliefs. Islamic tradition includes historic gardens built as a result of the Koran’s

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What Is A Jewish Garden: How To Create A Jewish Biblical Garden

By Jackie Carroll A Jewish biblical garden is a great way to express your faith while creating a beautiful place for your family or community. Find out about creating Jewish Torah gardens in this article. What is a Jewish Garden?

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A Survivalist’s Introduction to CPR

Written by Monica Gomez on The Prepper Journal.

It would be hard to call yourself a survivalist if you don’t know lifesaving CPR. That’s because if someone suffers cardiac arrest and you don’t know what to do, chances are, he or she will die within ten minutes if help doesn’t arrive, according to this infographic from carrington.edu. If you’re in a situation where […]

The post A Survivalist’s Introduction to CPR appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

a new corn, bred for organic farms and gardens, tells a bigger story

WHAT MAKES THE SWEET CORN ‘Who Gets Kissed?’ stand out from other tempting catalog choices, besides its unusual name? It’s [read more…]

The post a new corn, bred for organic farms and gardens, tells a bigger story appeared first on A Way To Garden.

My Opinion: Why I Feel Survival Moms Should Carry

I feel very strongly that women should not only carry a firearm, but be very knowledgeable on the gun they carry, know gun safety and know how to very accurately use their gun. Women and children are vulnerable and I Read More

The post My Opinion: Why I Feel Survival Moms Should Carry by Tammy Trayer appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

Best Projects of 2014 Party!

It's always fun to look back and see what we've accomplished for the year, isn't it? This year is no exception and as I look back on 2014, I can see so many wonderful things that I'm happy to say I can cross off my list now. Making progress on a home is a rewarding thing and I have definitely made a lot of improvements on this fixer-upper of mine.

This wasn't the biggest year of projects for me, but we did manage to do a few high impact renovations around here, mostly on the exterior.

The post Best Projects of 2014 Party! appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

What Is A Hindu Garden: Tips For Creating Hindu Gardens

By Mary H. Dyer, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener What is a Hindu garden? This is a complicated, many-faceted subject, but primarily, Hindu gardens reflect the tenets and beliefs of Hinduism. Hindu gardens often include refuge for birds and other

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The Top Prepper Pins of 2014

I’ve been wading into deeper and deeper waters in the world of Pinterest and now use it as one of my primary search engines. I tracked down some of the most popular prepper/survival/homesteading pins of the past year, including my Read More

The post The Top Prepper Pins of 2014 by The Survival Mom appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

watch margaret and the birds on ‘growing a greener world’ tv

THE EXPRESSION ‘BIRDBRAIN’ is a disparaging one, but I beg to differ: I’m grateful that I had birds on my [read more…]

The post watch margaret and the birds on ‘growing a greener world’ tv appeared first on A Way To Garden.

Feeding Angels Trumpet: When And How To Fertilize Brugmansias

By Bonnie L. Grant If there ever was a flower you just had to grow, brugmansia is it. The plant is in the toxic Datura family so keep it away from children and pets, but the massive blooms are nearly

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Growing Holly Ferns: Information On Holly Fern Care

By Mary H. Dyer, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener Holly fern (Cyrtomium falcatum), named for its serrated, sharp-tipped, holly-like leaves, is one of the few plants that will grow happily in the dark corners of your garden. When planted in

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Epiphyllum Plant Care: Tips For Growing Epiphyllum Cactus

By Bonnie L. Grant Epiphyllum are epiphytic cacti as their name suggests. Some call them orchid cactus due to their large bright blooms and growth habit. Epiphytic plants grow on other plants, not in a parasitic fashion but as hosts.

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Merry Christmas 2014!

My family is enjoying this week of Christmas celebration with my niece and her family here for the week. You can bet our first Christmas with this cute baby girl is blessing us to no end. She will no doubt be the center of attention as she takes in her first Christmas. She won't remember it, but we surely will!

The post Merry Christmas 2014! appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Putting Technology to Work to Create a Sane Christmas! (video bonus)

Every Christmas, my bedroom looks the same with wrapping paper, rolls of ribbon, receipts, and shopping bags all fighting for space on the floor and bed. I realized that yesterday and have made peace with it. I even took a Read More

The post Putting Technology to Work to Create a Sane Christmas! (video bonus) by The Survival Mom appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

A Cop Plans For TEOTWAWKI

Written by Elijah Williams on The Prepper Journal.

This article was generously donated by Elijah Williams and covers plans for TEOTWAWKI from a perspective that we don’t often hear from in the prepping community. We do talk about the absence of law and order but that is typically from the thoughts of a disaster being too large for the current law enforcement community […]

The post A Cop Plans For TEOTWAWKI appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

Christmas Cactus Cat Safety – Is Christmas Cactus Bad For Cats

By Jackie Carroll Does your cat think the dangling stem of a Christmas cactus makes an excellent toy? Does he/she treat the plant like a buffet or a litter box? Read on to find out how to handle cats and

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“Build the Perfect Survival Kit”, by John D. McCann: Book Review

Do you need to put together a survival kit for your Everyday Carry, Bug Out Bag (BOB), an upcoming backpacking trip or your vehicle, to name just a few possibilities? I have an excellent resource to help you: The book Build the Read More

The post “Build the Perfect Survival Kit”, by John D. McCann: Book Review by Robert Camp appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

Salted Caramel Chocolate Pecan Pie

We tried this delicious and decadent chocolate pecan pie over Thanksgiving and my mom made it for us. It was so yummy, so I thought I’d pass it along to all of you too. It’s a Southern Living recipe, Salted Caramel Chocolate Pecan Pie, so I’ll just link over to their recipe for you to print off if you want.

The post Salted Caramel Chocolate Pecan Pie appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Watering A Boston Fern: Learn About Boston Fern Watering Needs

By Mary H. Dyer, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener Boston fern is a classic, old-fashioned houseplant valued for its long, lacy fronds. Although the fern isn’t difficult to grow, it tends to shed its leaves if it doesn’t receive plenty

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birdnote q&a: christmas bird count (on holiday cards, and outdoors)

IF LIKE ME you know a lot of “bird people,” perhaps you’ve noticed a trend in the holiday cards you [read more…]

The post birdnote q&a: christmas bird count (on holiday cards, and outdoors) appeared first on A Way To Garden.

Single Side Band for the Non-Technical Prepper

Written by Eleanor White on The Prepper Journal.

Editor’s Note: The following article was generously contributed by Eleanor White and you can download her entire article in PDF format by clicking on this link. The subject of prepper communications is serious and important to consider as part of a holistic approach to preparedness for your family. The ability to stay in contact with […]

The post Single Side Band for the Non-Technical Prepper appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

Charity Prepping

Many people donate to their church or to charities year round to support a cause or help those less fortunate. Have you ever considered combining your prepping activities with charitable giving? Rotating Your Food Stock When you’ve got your shelves full Read More

The post Charity Prepping by Amy Van Riper appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

Debbie’s Blue and White Powder Room

My friend, Debbie and I go back many years, maybe close to 15 years now. She’s a dear friend of mine, a former school teacher, who retired from teaching and started her own business at home, Miss Lucy’s Monograms. That business has grown so much that her hubby and other staff members work hard to keep up with all the orders. It’s a total family business now. I’m so proud of her for finding another fun way to make a living and following her creative dreams. She’s been such a cheerleader for me and my blog and I treasure her friendship.

The post Debbie’s Blue and White Powder Room appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

2015 resolution: become a more thoughtful organic gardener, with jeff gillman

PROPOSED 2015 RESOLUTION: Become a more thoughtful organic gardener. Simply avoiding synthetic garden chemicals by swapping them out for a [read more…]

The post 2015 resolution: become a more thoughtful organic gardener, with jeff gillman appeared first on A Way To Garden.

Cherry Tree Not Weeping: Help, My Cherry Tree No Longer Weeps

By Jackie Carroll A graceful weeping cherry tree is an asset to any landscape, but without special care, it may stop weeping. Find out the reasons for a weeping tree growing straight and what to do when a cherry tree

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Looking for some GREAT Leftover Ham Recipes?

Once the big meal is over, the family’s all gone, the dishes away, the question looms: What on earth will we do with all this leftover ham?!? (Or turkey.) Since food fights, using them as building materials, and putting them Read More

The post Looking for some GREAT Leftover Ham Recipes? by Liz Long appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

Rootlike Growths On Christmas Cactus: Why Christmas Cactus Has Aerial Roots

By Mary H. Dyer, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener Christmas cactus is a striking plant with bright pink or red blooms that add festive color around the winter holidays. Unlike typical desert cactus, Christmas cactus is a tropical plant that

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How to Avoid Falling Victim to Mob Violence

Written by Dave Steen on The Prepper Journal.

In any severe crisis or disaster, there is a risk of a breakdown of society. Even if there isn’t a complete breakdown, there’s the possibility of demonstrations, rioting and mob violence. It doesn’t take much for a crowd to form, protesting something; all it takes is an expectation of bad news. Any crowd can quickly […]

The post How to Avoid Falling Victim to Mob Violence appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

9 Great Ideas to Improve Family Gatherings

Family gatherings. They happen throughout the year. Whether it’s a big holiday, like Thanksgiving or Christmas, or smaller ones like Memorial Day or Labor Day, or even a special event like a family reunion or a wedding, there are times Read More

The post 9 Great Ideas to Improve Family Gatherings by Liz Long appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

Lights out

Written by James V DeLong on The Prepper Journal.

The following article has been generously contributed by James V. DeLong and appeared originally on the American Enterprise Institute. S. M. Stirling is a science fiction/fantasy writer who specializes in alternate future history. He likes to start from the question “what if X happened?” and then work out the ramifications over many volumes and decades. […]

The post Lights out appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

Feature Friday: Ellwood in Marietta

I met my friend, Lynn, three years ago when I was a docent in her beautiful historic home, Elwood, in Marietta. We became friends and I loved hearing about her history of buying old houses and fixing them up. I call her the real estate tycoon of Marietta, because she does indeed have lots of rental properties in this area, as well as others at the beach and mountains. I featured her beach house, a couple of years ago. It's gorgeous!

She’s a fascinating lady, a combination of real estate investor and artist, wife and mom. She’s well known around Old Marietta Square and has lived in Elwood for over 20 years. She showed me pics of the house when they bought it and wow, it looked like it needed to be torn down instead of restored. But, Lynn loves a good restoration project and tackled this house, making it a beautiful home for her family. Her husband is right there with her in their restoration efforts.

The post Feature Friday: Ellwood in Marietta appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Spike Moss Care: Information And Tips For Growing Spike Moss Plants

By Bonnie L. Grant We tend to think of moss as small airy green plants that decorate rocks, trees, ground spaces and even our houses. Spike moss plants, or club moss, are not true mosses but very basic vascular plants. They

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How to Survive a Blizzard in Your Vehicle

How do you survive if you become trapped in your vehicle during a blizzard? With winter fast approaching, this is a good question. The last few years have seen unseasonably cold and snowy winters in the U.S. Along with sustained Read More

The post How to Survive a Blizzard in Your Vehicle by Robert Camp appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

Feature Friday: Elwood in Marietta

I met my friend, Lynn, three years ago when I was a docent in her beautiful historic home, Elwood, in Marietta. We became friends and I loved hearing about her history of buying old houses and fixing them up. I call her the real estate tycoon of Marietta, because she does indeed have lots of rental properties in this area, as well as others at the beach and mountains. I featured her beach house, a couple of years ago. It's gorgeous!

She’s a fascinating lady, a combination of real estate investor and artist, wife and mom. She’s well known around Old Marietta Square and has lived in Elwood for over 20 years. She showed me pics of the house when they bought it and wow, it looked like it needed to be torn down instead of restored. But, Lynn loves a good restoration project and tackled this house, making it a beautiful home for her family. Her husband is right there with her in their restoration efforts.

The post Feature Friday: Elwood in Marietta appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Passion Flower Not Fruiting: Why Passion Vine Flowers But Has No Fruit

By Amy Grant A stunning, vigorous perennial vine, passion flower may be grown for its eye-popping blooms, or for its delectable fruit. With over 500 varieties of passion flower vine, there is very likely one suitable for whatever region you

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Stock Your Pantry From Scratch: Homemade Apple Pie Filling

Apples just seem to overflow here at our homestead. And thankfully so! They are an excellent staple to have on the pantry shelf, easy to can & put up and best of all…delicious! If /when the SHTF, comfort foods will Read More

The post Stock Your Pantry From Scratch: Homemade Apple Pie Filling by Lisa Barthuly appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

Creatively Christmas with Jen Rizzo

I have so many blog friends who have written books the last few years and another of my longtime blog friends is Jen Rizzo, who lives in the Chicago area. I think we started blogging the same year and she’s always been out there, doing beautiful things and sharing them with the blogosphere. She’s an artist and designer and loves vintage style decorating. She’s also been featured in Country Living, Romantic Homes and Somerset Living and now has written her own book, all about creating beautiful Christmas handmade Christmas decorations.

The post Creatively Christmas with Jen Rizzo appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

top 50 stories of 2014: tactical help, great plants

TOMATOES AND GARLIC and things for the shade. Tricks for success with seeds, and for putting up the harvest so [read more…]

The post top 50 stories of 2014: tactical help, great plants appeared first on A Way To Garden.

Christmas Cactus Toxicity: Care Of Christmas Cactus Around Pets

By Bonnie L. Grant Christmas cacti are common gifts around the holidays. They tend to bloom in the winter, with showy flowers present for friends and family to admire as they attend winter festivities. The presence of small children and

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Understand and Prevent 4 Kinds of Heat Loss

Maintaining your core body temperature is critical in a survival situation. Hypothermia can set in even at relatively mild temperatures. A fact that is often lost on many people is that heat is energy and cold is merely the absence Read More

The post Understand and Prevent 4 Kinds of Heat Loss by Jim Cobb appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

EDC Contest Winner

Written by Pat Henry on The Prepper Journal.

I want to thank everyone who entered the EDC Gear contest and apologize for being tardy on announcing the winner. The winner of this contest is Vagabond and I will be contacting them about their Amazon gift card today. Look below to see what Vagabond carries every day. Gear List by Vagabond    Wallet by […]

The post EDC Contest Winner appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

Fashion over 50

I’ve got some fashion posts saved up so I thought I’d share another one with you. When I get dressed up, that’s when I want to take pics of myself. You certainly wouldn’t want to see me in my everyday clothes, which are mostly yoga pants and tennis shoes. Some days I don’t get dressed up at all, but when I do, I like to look nice. I love having lots of versatile pieces in my closet to mix and match. So, I’ll show you a little bit of how I mix up my clothes.

The post Fashion over 50 appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Holiday Fire Safety: Tips for the season and beyond

Halls decked with holly, a fresh pine adorned with hundreds of lights and glass ornaments, and scented candles spreading cheer — it’s a recipe for disaster! At this time of year, holiday fire safety is a major concern. In fact, this Read More

The post Holiday Fire Safety: Tips for the season and beyond by The Survival Mom appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

7 Ways to Lighten Your Bug Out Bag

Written by Pat Henry on The Prepper Journal.

In just a couple of weeks a lot of you are going to be making New Year’s resolutions and according to our good old government (not sure why they have to know this) the most common resolution is to lose weight. This is a great goal for a lot of people but as preppers we […]

The post 7 Ways to Lighten Your Bug Out Bag appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

Colloidal Silver in Emergency Preparedness – pt. 2

Written by R. Barry King, PhD on The Prepper Journal.

Editors Note: This is the second article on the benefits of Colloidal Silver as part of a well-rounded preparedness plan by R. Barry King, PhD. You can read the first article of this series here. Part Two – Preparation and Use The term COLLOID refers to any substance that forms a particle so finely divided […]

The post Colloidal Silver in Emergency Preparedness – pt. 2 appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

Controlling Prunella Weeds: How To Get Rid Of Self Heal

By Amy Grant There’s a thorn in the side of anyone trying to attain the perfect lawn and its name is self heal weed. Self heal (Prunella vulgaris) is found throughout the United States and can be aggressive in turf

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thinking ‘slow flowers’ year round, with debra prinzing

YES, IT’S WINTER, but take the “slow flowers” challenge now, anyway, says Debra Prinzing–especially with the holidays upon us. Slow, [read more…]

The post thinking ‘slow flowers’ year round, with debra prinzing appeared first on A Way To Garden.

Painting Gold Stripes on Candles

So, I’ve got one more project to share with you for FrogTape®. And, of course, it’s a Christmas idea. I’ve seen those pretty striped gold candles around, so I figured why not make my own. I took 2 white candles and taped them off with FrogTape and used my gold spray paint to spray stripes on them. They turned out really cute and I tried them out to make sure they wouldn’t blow up from the paint. I used them for my party last weekend and they they burned down more than 1/2 way with no problem at all. I love the added bling they bring to plain white candles.

The post Painting Gold Stripes on Candles appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Shriveled Poinsettia Plant: Fixing Poinsettia With Shriveled Leaves

By Bonnie L. Grant Poinsettia plants echo the colors and spirit of the winter holiday season. Strangely, they are brought into the home when snow and ice are at their peak, but they are actually native to hot, dry areas

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5 Post-Emergency Herbs: The Calming Cuppa

Five Herbs for Emotional Support Post Emergency The experience of dealing with an emergency situation can leave you feeling shaken, drained, and upset. Stopping long enough to go through the familiar motions of making a cup of tea can give Read More

The post 5 Post-Emergency Herbs: The Calming Cuppa by Agatha Noveille appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

What’s in YOUR Wallet? The Art of EDC (Every Day Carry)

To far too many people, being “prepped” means accumulating piles and piles of stuff, much of which various so-called experts insist you carry with you at all times. Some of those folks apparently feel you should never leave the house Read More

The post What’s in YOUR Wallet? The Art of EDC (Every Day Carry) by Jim Cobb appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

Prepping 101 – Organize your Prepping Supplies

Written by Pat Henry on The Prepper Journal.

Since I started prepping officially back in late 2007 I have made quite a few purchases. Some of these have been incremental, single purchases and some have been raids of the local Walmart or Sam’s Club to buy a ton of items in one trip. When I do get to make trips like this I […]

The post Prepping 101 – Organize your Prepping Supplies appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

16 Non-Traditional Containers For Your Bug Out Bag/Emergency Kit

When it comes to selecting a bag for an emergency kit, many of us veer in the direction of tactical looking backpacks, or any type of backpack at all. And, it’s no wonder. A good backpack will have multiple pockets Read More

The post 16 Non-Traditional Containers For Your Bug Out Bag/Emergency Kit by The Survival Mom appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

Cholla Cactus Care: Tips For Growing Cholla Cactus

By Bonnie L. Grant Cholla is a jointed cactus in the Opuntia family, which includes prickly pears. The plant has wicked spines with a nasty habit of getting stuck in skin. The painful barbs are covered in a paper-like sheath

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say thank you to a cooperative extension staffer today

‘TIS THE SEASON to be jolly, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t still be giving thanks. How about sending your [read more…]

The post say thank you to a cooperative extension staffer today appeared first on A Way To Garden.

Survival Lessons for Students from Sesame Street

Prepare even the youngest kiddos for common emergencies with online tools and resources! Rather than mom-to-mom wisdom, I’m sharing a compiled list of online tools and resources you can use to help you prepare your little ones mentally and physically Read More

The post Survival Lessons for Students from Sesame Street by Kris appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

What Part of Shall Not Be Infringed Do You Not Understand?

Written by Pat Henry on The Prepper Journal.

The UN’s Arms Trade Treaty which covers everything from small arms to battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships – will enter into force on 24 December 2014, Christmas Eve. This treaty has not been ratified by our Congress but has the support of our Secretary of State, John Kerry who signed it and our President, […]

The post What Part of Shall Not Be Infringed Do You Not Understand? appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

Russian Olive Information: How To Grow An Elaeagnus Shrub

By Jackie Carroll Russian olives look great all year round, but are appreciated most in summer when the blossoms fill the air with a sweet, intense fragrance. Bright red fruit follows the flowers, attracting birds in droves. Russian olive (Elaeagnus

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Christmas Home Tour 2014: Part 2

Today, I’m back with the rest of my house decorated for Christmas this year. It’s been nice to get it finished the first week of December and then have the rest of the month to just enjoy it all. And this year, I really am savoring the season. This is my third Christmas in my new house and this year it really feels finished and ready for me to enjoy and that’s a good feeling.

My friend, Chris from Just A Girl, hosts a Christmas blog hop every year along with a lot of talented bloggers, so I’m joining this party today and you can find lots more inspiration if you’re looking for it. Just follow the links and Chris has all the updated links on her blog too.

The post Christmas Home Tour 2014: Part 2 appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Sex after the apocalypse? When there is no birth control …

So, you think you have everything that you need in your preps? Think about this … After the apocalypse (or whatever scenario happens) and things settle, you might start getting comfortable with your food, water, and security. Then, you might Read More

The post Sex after the apocalypse? When there is no birth control … by Sarah Anne Carter appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

45 Recipes For the Potato Lover in You!

I adore potatoes. Grew up with baked potatoes served at every Sunday-after-church lunch and mashed potatoes in the school cafeteria (back in the days when cafeteria food was awesome!) To celebrate cooler weather, but, heck!, potatoes can be enjoyed year-round, Read More

The post 45 Recipes For the Potato Lover in You! by The Survival Mom appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

Flower Wilt On Christmas Cactus: Fixing Wilting Christmas Cactus Blooms

By Mary H. Dyer, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener Christmas cactus is a long-lived plant with bright blooms that appear around the winter holidays. Normally, blooms last at least one to two weeks. If conditions are just right, the impressive

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Food Storage just isn’t for me!

I realize that I may be preaching to the choir here but then again, maybe not. Perhaps there are a few among the readers of this blog that will make a change because of it. Like most of us, I am not a Read More

The post Food Storage just isn’t for me! by Andrea Urban appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

The Well-Trained Babysitter

This may surprise you, but I was a lousy babysitter. I wasn’t interested in playing with my young charges, had to work hard to gin up any enthusiasm for their knock-knock jokes, and was always relieved when the parents got home. Read More

The post The Well-Trained Babysitter by The Survival Mom appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

gifts for gardeners 2014: best boots, cool beans, weed encyclopedia and more

I MADE A LIST and checked it twice—only to find out I am nothing if not consistent. My gifts for [read more…]

The post gifts for gardeners 2014: best boots, cool beans, weed encyclopedia and more appeared first on A Way To Garden.

Christmas Home Tour 2014: Part 1

Merry Christmas y’all! Are you getting in the Christmas spirit yet? I had fun this year taking my time with the decorating and started putting up my tree right before Thanksgiving. Then, I took my time with the rest of it and got it finished relatively stress free. I don’t know about you, but I really don’t like to be stressed out this time of year. And blogland tends to get in a little bit of a frenzy with all the home tours and so much else going on. So, I want to remind us all again this year, this is a season of peace and calm, not chaos and frenzy. I choose to celebrate without getting stressed out this year and I hope you’ll join me!

The post Christmas Home Tour 2014: Part 1 appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Your Reason for Prepping is Stupid

Written by Pat Henry on The Prepper Journal.

Have you ever uttered these words or simply thought them to yourself? Have you maybe been talking to someone online or reading the comments on your favorite prepping site’s latest article and thought that the person commenting was an idiot for what they said their main concerns about the world were and their reasons for […]

The post Your Reason for Prepping is Stupid appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

Christmas Star Orchids: Tips For Growing Star Orchid Plants

By Amy Grant Although it is a member of the Orchidaceae family which boasts the largest number of flowering plants, Angraecum sesquipedale, or star orchid plant, is definitely one of the more unique members. Its species name, sesquipedale, is derived

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How can Bulletproof Vests Help Preppers Stay Protected this Winter?

Written by Pat Henry on The Prepper Journal.

“We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.” – Winston Churchill Imagine a world in which you are unable to sleep soundly in your bed at night. Imagine those rough men are gone, perhaps they are too far away, […]

The post How can Bulletproof Vests Help Preppers Stay Protected this Winter? appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

World War C – The Cyber War That Cripples America

Written by Capt. William E. Simpson on The Prepper Journal.

Are Americans caught in the crossfire of a cyber-war between terrorists and the agencies of both foreign and domestic governments? These agencies, as well as certain rogue nations and terrorists are aggressively collecting information in many new ways and at multiple levels that target banking, government operations, industry and now the personal information on individual […]

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Yucca Uses – Can You Grow Yucca Plant As Food

By Amy Grant The difference between yuca and yucca is broader than a simple “C” lacking in the spelling. Yuca, or cassava, is a historically important global food source utilized for its carbohydrate rich (30% starch) nutrients, while its similarly

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Sparkle and Cheer in the Dining Room

Today, I’m sharing some sparkle and shine from my dining room table that I set up for Christmas. I love adding pretty things to my sideboard during this time of year and I’m having my girlfriends over again this year, so it’s fun to celebrate and have the house looking pretty this time of year. I’ve always been a big fan of Christmas and everything that goes with it and love decking my halls for this season. This week will be a big one with lots of home tours in blogland, but again this year I don’t want to get caught up in the perfection of it all. Celebrating Christmas is all about the real meaning and sharing this time with our family and friends, so let’s all keep that in mind as we move into the next few weeks of festivities.

The post Sparkle and Cheer in the Dining Room appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

ancient grains and sprouted flours: ‘bread revolution,’ with peter reinhart (giveaway!)

MANKIND HAS BEEN MAKING BREAD in some form for 6,000 years, but lately bread—for the wheat it often contains—ends up [read more…]

The post ancient grains and sprouted flours: ‘bread revolution,’ with peter reinhart (giveaway!) appeared first on A Way To Garden.

Tarantula Cactus Plant: How To Grow Tarantula Cactus

By Bonnie L. Grant Cleistocactus tarantula cactus not only has a fun name but a really neat personality. What is a tarantula cactus? This amazing cactus is native to Bolivia but will take a shine to your home interior with

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Enjoy road trips with kids? I do … now

Did you know that there is a dinosaur museum in Hays, Kansas? There’s also a huge duck pinwheel at an exit near the Missouri/Nebraska border. A bridge dedicated to the old wagon trail spans over I-80 in Kearney, Nebraska. Also, Read More

The post Enjoy road trips with kids? I do … now by Sarah Anne Carter appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

Facebook Spies on You For The Government

Written by Pat Henry on The Prepper Journal.

Editors Note: This video is courtesy of InfoWars.com and discusses concerns with Facebook’s planned privacy policy update that is going into effect on Jan 1st. 2015. Yes, I am on Facebook and their are links to Facebook on this site for liking and sharing. For a very long time I resisted any connection with Facebook. […]

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Ginseng Growing Info: Learn About Ginseng Harvesting And Care

By Mary H. Dyer, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), native to much of the Eastern United States, is valued for its many useful properties. Unfortunately, wild ginseng has been over harvested in its natural environment and

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Leftover Turkey Recipes That Don’t Suck

The big meal is over. The sink is full of dishes. The stove has cooled down and the guests have gone home. Now it’s time to ask yourself the big question: where can I find some great leftover turkey recipes?!? Read More

The post Leftover Turkey Recipes That Don’t Suck by Liz Long appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

50 Emergency Uses for a Phone Camera

In an emergency you’ll need to provide and receive help, and after it’s over, you’ll have to return, repair, and rebuild. Central to this is communication and documentation. Our society loves red tape, especially after disasters. Below are 50 ways Read More

The post 50 Emergency Uses for a Phone Camera by The Survival Mom appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

Personal Hygiene First Aid

Written by Guest Contributor on The Prepper Journal.

Editors Note: The following guest article has been generously contributed by Edna Thomson. In cases of emergency and situations, in which the only thing you can think of is survival, personal hygiene first aid is something you need to have previously prepared. To stay clean and keep your hygiene on the necessary level, here are […]

The post Personal Hygiene First Aid appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

Is Peanut Pumpkin Edible – Peanut Pumpkin Info And Care

By Amy Grant Happily, heirloom madness has hit the mainstream produce aisles and you are now more likely to encounter unique veggies previously unattainable, unless found at a farmer’s market or your own veggie patch. The finding and purchasing of

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Feature Friday: Christmas at the Biltmore House

While up in Asheville for the Grove Park Inn Gingerbread house competition, Lauren and I had the pleasure of visiting the Biltmore House on our first day there. All decorated for Christmas, it was truly a sight to behold and I took a few pics outside as they were still getting the big trees up and decorated on the front lawn. The folks at the Biltmore house also shared some beautiful photos with me to share with you of all the Christmas décor inside and outside the house, so you can get an up close look at the gorgeous Biltmore estate and how beautiful it looks during the Christmas holidays.

Since no pictures are allowed inside the house, you’re in for a treat!

The post Feature Friday: Christmas at the Biltmore House appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Growing Mickey Mouse Plants: Information About Mickey Mouse Bush

By Mary H. Dyer, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener Mickey Mouse plant (Ochna serrulata) is named not for the leaves or blooms, but for the black berries that resemble the face of Mickey Mouse. If you want to attract butterflies

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The Moderate Minds of the Prepper Movement

Written by Antony Funnell on The Prepper Journal.

This article was originally published by Antony Funnell on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Radio National Network and gives some perspective and attention on prepping from our friends Down Under. Antony interviews Tom Martin who runs American Preppers Network.   The ‘Prepper’ movement has become synonymous with apocalyptic fear-mongering and gun-toting paranoia, but as Antony Funnell discovers, there’s much […]

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The Top 10 Foods to NOT Store!

STOP! Before throwing any of these items away, read this post about repackaging food!! Based on my own personal experiences and mistakes, I do not recommend storing these foods in large quantities, long-term. Let me know what you think of Read More

The post The Top 10 Foods to NOT Store! by The Survival Mom appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

The Preparedness Review – Winter 2014 – Released!

Written by Pat Henry on The Prepper Journal.

The 5th Edition of The Preparedness Review (Winter 2014) has been released!  TPR5 contains 18 articles, 67 pages of great preparedness content!!!  The file size is a little over 2.4mb. The Preparedness Review is a quarterly magazine filled with great articles from prepper bloggers from all spheres of influence and schools of thought. TPR is […]

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my garden chores for december 2014

ONE LAST-MINUTE FIRE DRILL of outdoor chores, before it’s time to settle down with the seed catalogs: That’s December in [read more…]

The post my garden chores for december 2014 appeared first on A Way To Garden.

Makeshift Grill Ideas: Cooking When the Grid Goes Down

Written by Pat Henry on The Prepper Journal.

In my quest to think of creative (hopefully) ideas for articles on the Prepper Journal, I try to pull inspiration from a lot of places. Certainly my own efforts at prepping give me experiences that I can use to share information but I also read books, magazines, watch movies and TV shows and anytime I […]

The post Makeshift Grill Ideas: Cooking When the Grid Goes Down appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

Panda Face Ginger Info: Tips For Growing Panda Face Ginger Plant

By Amy Grant If you are looking for a shade-loving plant to fill a gap in the landscape, you might want to try a wild ginger. Wild ginger is a cool weather, perennial with a dizzying array of leaf patterns

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Common Sense Strategies for Teaching Gun Safety: Take Advantage of Experts & Their Resources

#5 Take advantage of experts and their resources The NRA offers gun safety training as do many shooting ranges, Fish and Game departments, sporting goods stores, and even firearm manufacturers. Often, this training is free. There’s no need to reinvent Read More

The post Common Sense Strategies for Teaching Gun Safety: Take Advantage of Experts & Their Resources by Liz Long appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

All Inspired Boutique Holiday Giveaway

t’s that time of year, time for more inspiration and giveaways!

I’ve introduced you before to Melissa, who is the entrepreneur behind All Inspired Boutique, a real brick and mortar store over in Johns Creek, a suburb of Atlanta. But, the best part is, All Inspired Boutique started as an online store, with lots of lovely and yes, inspiring items that women love. I’ve visited the store in person and it’s really a fun place for women to go and browse, from clothes, home décor, jewelry and more. But, even if you don’t live in Atlanta, you can still shop the store.

The post All Inspired Boutique Holiday Giveaway appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Looking for a UNIQUE Gift? Try Fiverr!

You can use these as ideas for unique gifts for Christmas, Thanksgiving centerpieces, Hanukkah gifts, or New Years Party favors. Heck, you can use most of them to celebrate the 4th of July if you want! What the heck is Read More

The post Looking for a UNIQUE Gift? Try Fiverr! by Liz Long appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

How to Prevent, Identify and Treat Frostbite

Written by Pat Henry on The Prepper Journal.

Jack Frost nipping at your nose? Well, it’s that time of year to worry about getting nipped too hard by our cold natured friend. The colder weather makes me think of issues that I have to watch out for and one of them is frostbite. Frostbite can affect anyone and you don’t have to hike […]

The post How to Prevent, Identify and Treat Frostbite appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

Christmas Tree Water Intake: Why A Christmas Tree Is Not Drinking

By Mary H. Dyer, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener Fresh Christmas trees are a holiday tradition, loved for their beauty and fresh, outdoorsy fragrance. However, Christmas trees often take the blame for destructive fires that occur during the holiday season.

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Hair Styles and Women over 50

Hair, we all have it and we all have to figure out what works for us. The hair fascination came naturally to all of us as we hit our teenage years. Hair is such an important extension of who we are as women and that continues our entire lives.

It started when we were teenagers and we can’t help but feel good or bad about ourselves, based on how our hair is performing day by day. It’s like it has a life of its own, our hair! Have you found the right style for you? It took me awhile, but I think I finally have found the style that's great for me going into my older years. I think many older women can get away with long hair, but sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. We all have to be honest with ourselves and take a good hard look at what is working for us and what needs improvement. If I had nice soft, bouncy hair, I'd probably wear it long too.

The post Hair Styles and Women over 50 appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Skill-Based Gift Ideas to Suit Every Survival Kid

Browsing through the lists of skills kids should know and have, it occurred to me that those lists are excellent resources for gift ideas! Here are just a few gift suggestions from each list. What’s extra tricky about these lists and Read More

The post Skill-Based Gift Ideas to Suit Every Survival Kid by The Survival Mom appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!

Ebola Fear Scares Many into Buying Water Filters

Written by Guest Contributor on The Prepper Journal.

Test your Water to Know What’s Really in It Historically, people have occasionally been wide off the mark concerning water cleanliness and safety. Who can forget the iconic “Whites Only” drinking fountains of the last century designed to prevent disease-spreading between races? In the photo below from the Library of Congress archives, a young man is […]

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What’s a WaPI?

You might think that untreated water must be at a rolling boil – which occurs at 212°F (100°C) – for at least one minute in order to be safe to drink. Without any kind of temperature gauge, this is good Read More

The post What’s a WaPI? by Amy Van Riper appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!