Happy New Year

As I was preparing breakfast this morning, 

I noticed a downy woodpecker on the pole just under the suet. 

He was sleeping! 

He did not move for at least ten minutes. 

When he woke up from his nap, he had his suet snack, then off he flew. 

We have seen him do this before, but not for this long. 

Maybe he was resting so he could be awake when we ring in the New Year tonight!

Happy New Year!

Christmas Cactus

At least ten years ago,

Michael's aunt gave us a giant Christmas cactus

that had sat on top of a chest freezer on her porch for decades.

It was in a huge clay pot with the original sand 

from her farm.

In the past few years, it started to look sad,

so this year, I repotted with all new cactus dirt.

It likes it! 

We have several blooms this year

and they are beautiful.

Let's see how long we can keep this plant happy

and how many more years it can grow.

New Director of Taste Testing

My role as Director of Taste Testing has been taken away,

by a SQUIRREL!

Michael has been creating blueberry muffins for the past few weeks.

After I taste the newest batch,

we take the extra muffins and put them by the bird feeders

for the birds to enjoy a treat.

Last week, we looked out and saw our neighborhood squirrel

taking the muffins away.

He must like them - he took most of them!

This image shows him stopping for a snack before he moves on.

What fun we have with our wild critters!

Wellington Farm, USA

We just met the most wonderful couple who run the 

Wellington Farm in Grayling, Michigan. 

Howard and Gloria Taylor have an historic, working farm community.

They picked up Creekside Grains mixes for their gift store.

It looks like a great combination of farm and baking mixes!

Check out the site, then stop in and take a step back in time.

 

www.wellingtonfarmpark.org/

Moon and Jupiter

http://earthsky.org/tonight

 

I am so amazed at God's work!

 

If you get a chance, go outside tonight and tomorrow night and maybe even a few nights after that.

 

The full moon and Jupiter are neighbors for awhile.

I originally thought it was Mars, but after checking the earth sky site,

Jupiter was the answer.

Enjoy!

Home Grown Tomatoes

When fall chilled the air, 

Michael brought in one of our tomato plants that had been growing in a pot.

He put a grow light on it, and tonight,

we are having a fresh off the vine tomato for dinner!

There are about ten tomatoes on the vine, in all stages of growth,

so it looks like we will get to enjoy them for a few more weeks.

There is something so wonderful about home grown tomatoes!

Small Business

Last week, we received a call from a caterer who is making gift baskets for a major corporation this Christmas. 
She pitched our mixes, 
along with several other Michigan made companies. 

She told them that she preferred working with small companies where the owners answer the phone. 

Since we are one of those businesses, they chose us. 

We are so blessed and so thankful!  

Hooray for small business! 

Thank you to big business for supporting small businesses!

Maple Cookie Story, continued

My friend Tim from Wisconsin sent me 

the story of the Maple Cookie last week. 

Here is "the rest of the story!"

Melvin is his very funny kitty.  

I have posted Melvin stories before, 

but he keeps giving me more to post!

"Saturday was a good day of hunting!!
A nice Buck and a Doe!! 

When regrouping last night I went thru my backpack. 

Since I was busy hauling deer out of the
woods, most of my "snacks" were uneaten. 

I had them in a gallon size zip-loc bag. 

Only out of the kitchen for mere moments, 

I returned to see Melvin dashing into the living
room with a Maple Cookie in his mouth!!! 

He had a choice of several other things, 

but that is what he chose!!!!!!!!!"

Melvin has such good taste! 

Thanksgiving and Black Friday

When it comes to Thanksgiving and Black Friday, 

we have elected to follow a different path. 

Unlike major retailers (which we are not), 

we will not be moving the date up to Thursday 

(we will be home with our families), 

no sales start when you should be sleeping, 

and nothing will be offered for only a few hours.

 However, we do have specials 

 that we will be honoring 

from Black Friday until December 17.

If you choose to place an order 

in your pj's and bunny slippers, 

that is fine with us, but you do not have to 

leave the comfort of your home to order.

We will process your orders on Friday 

after we all have a good night's sleep. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Maple Cookie Review

This review came from a Creekside Grains friend in Wisconsin. I had to share! 

"Sunday eve, I came in the house, pretty wet and a little cold 

(we had monsoon rains). 

A warm shower felt pretty good, but not as Good as 

the Creekside Maple Cookies made me feel!!!! 

So good, I started singing (at least what I know) 
the Canadian National Anthem!!!!!!!!!

  Deer hunting starts this Saturday and I'll bet some make it in 
to the woods (providing there are some left!!!)"