Get out and have some fun this winter!

Great classes and workshops for the whole family!

JANUARY

Homeschool Garden Craft Class ~ Suet Making - Wednesday,  January 7th, 1pm  

In this class, each child will learn about feeding our feathered friends and will make a suet cake to take home to feed the birds!  Please wear old clothes.  For children 5 - 12+.   Pre-registration and payment required.  Fee:  $5.00

Garden Craft Class ~ Suet Making - Saturday,  January 10th, 9am  In this class, each child will learn about feeding our feathered friends and will make a suet cake to take home to feed the birds!  Please wear old clothes.  For children 5 - 12+.   Pre-registration and payment required.  Fee:  $5.00

Mommy & Me Garden Craft Class:  Pencil Toppers ~ Tuesday, January 13th 10am  In this fun class, each child and parent (together) will make 2 creative pencil toppers.  This class is for children 4 years and under.  A parent or guardian must stay with the child.  Pre-registration required.  Fee:  $5.00

Winter Wellness with Essential Oils ~ Make Your Own Foaming Hand Wash and Hand Cleansing Gel - Wednesday, January 14th 1pm  Heard the buzz about the harmful chemicals found in many of the products we use daily?  In this fun class, learn some of the benefits of essential oils and make your own Foaming Hand Wash and Hand Cleansing Gel using natural ingredients and essential oils.  These homemade versions will cleanse and moisturize your hands without the toxins while saving you money.  Pre-registration and payment required.  Fee: $5.00

Fairy Garden Workshop ~ Saturday, January 17th, 1-2pm  In this class, each 

participant will plant their own fairy garden.  Fee is $5 plus plants and supplies.  Pre-registration required.  For adults and children.

Simple Soap Making for Adults - Tuesday,  January 20th, 1-2pm  Each participant 

will learn about some creative ways to use ‘melt and pour’ soaps.  These make great gifts!

Pre-registration and payment required.  Fee:  $15.00

Homeschool Garden Craft Class ~ Terrarium Workshop - Wednesday,  

January 21st, 1pm  Each child will make their own terrarium garden and learn how to care for it.  Please wear old clothes.  For children 5 - 12+.  Pre-registration and payment required.  Fee:  $5.00

Soup & Bread Luncheon ~ Thursday, January 22nd 11am.  Enjoy a delicious, hand made lunch featuring several different kinds of soups and breads - all made right here in our farm kitchen.  Dessert and drinks are included.  Recipes will be available.  Pre-registration an payment required.  $15.00

Adult Suet Making - Tuesday,  January 27th, 1pm  Each participant will learn about bird feeding and will make several suet cakes to take home.  Pre-registration and payment 

required.  Fee:  $10.00

Adult Terrarium Workshop ~ Saturday, January 31st, 1pm  Each participant will make their own terrarium to take home.  Fee is $5.00 plus plants and supplies.  Pre-registration and payment required. 

FEBRUARY

Homeschool Garden Craft Class:   Sugar Cone Bird Feeders ~ Wednesday, February 4th, 1-2pm  In this fun and crafty class, the children will make beautiful bird feeders using huge sugar cones, peanut butter, seed and fruit.  They will finish it off with some decorative flowers.  Please wear old clothes.  Ages 5 and up. Pre-registration required. Fee: $10.00

Garden Craft Class:  Recycled Owl ~ Saturday, February 7th, 9-10am In this class, each child will make a creative owl made from recycled items. Great to hang in a bedroom window.  Please wear old clothes.  Ages 5 and up. Pre-registration required. Fee: $5.00

Fairy Garden Workshop ~ Saturday, February 7th, 1-2pm  In this class, each 

participant will plant their own fairy garden.  Fee is $5 plus plants and supplies.  Pre-

registration required.  For adults and children.

Mommy & Me Garden Craft Class:  Cookie Decorating ~ Tuesday, February 10th 10am  In this fun class, each child and parent (together) will decorate a heart shaped sugar cookie made right here in our bakery.  (Just in time for Valentine’s Day!)  This class is for children 4 years and under.  A parent or guardian must stay with the child.  Pre-registration required.  

Fee:  $5.00

Winter Wellness with Essential Oils ~ Green Cleaning Without The Chemicals - Wednesday, February 11th 1pm  It might surprise you to know that you can make simple and inexpensive non-toxic cleaners from essential oils and ingredients already in your home. Ditch the rubber gloves and join us for an afternoon of green cleaning.  You will make your own natural all-purpose cleaner and air freshener to take home and will receive recipes for other cleaners to try.  Pre-registration required.  Fee:  $5.00

Soup & Bread Luncheon ~ Thursday, February 12th 11am.  Enjoy a delicious, hand made lunch featuring several different kinds of soups and breads - all made right here in our farm kitchen.  Dessert and drinks are included.  Recipes will be available.  Pre-registration required.  $15.00

Romance Writer’s Day ~ Saturday, February 14th

Visit with local romance authors for this romantic book-signing event!  Many books will be 

available for purchase and the authors will be on hand to answer questions and talk about upcoming releases. Pick up a brochure at the registers in January!

Homeschool Garden Craft Class:   Cooking With Ketha ~ Wednesday, February 18th, 1-2pm  Come for lunch!  Our chef, Ketha will work with the kids to make their own lunch.  While it is baking, we’ll do a fun craft.  Ages 5 and up. Pre-registration required. Fee: $10.00

Adult Terrarium Workshop ~ Saturday, February 21st, 1pm  Each participant will make their own terrarium to take home.  Fee is $5.00 plus plants and supplies.  Pre-registration and 

payment required. 

DECORATE A TREE FOR THE BIRDS!

 

  For many of us, our feathered friends bring hours of enjoyment, watching them flitter about from tree to tree, nibbling on any little morsel they can find.  If you love bird watching, try decorating a tree just for them!  Here are some great recipes you can make at home:

PEANUT BUTTER SUET PINE CONES

6 yards of 18-gauge florist wire

12 pine cones

3 lbs. peanut butter

11/2 lbs. suet

10 lbs. bird seed

Twist an 18-inch length of florist wire around the big end of each pine cone, making a large hook at the end of the wire.  Mix peanut butter and suet.  Using small handfuls, spread peanut butter mixture on pine cones.  Roll pinecones in a large bowl of bird seed.  Yield:  12 pine cones.

NOTE:  Suet is available at supermarket meat departments.  Ask that it be ground fine for easier mixing.

PRETZEL GARLANDS

Unsalted miniature pretzels

1/4 inch wide red ribbon, cut to desired length of garland.

Weave ribbon through pretzels to make an edible garland for the birds.

SNOWY DOUGHNUTS

12 small powdered sugar coated doughnuts

4 yards 1/4 inch wide red ribbon

Cut ribbon into 12, 12-inch lengths.  Loop ribbon through doughnuts; tie in knot.  Yield:  12 ornaments.

BREAD STARS

1 loaf stale white sandwich bread

Christmas ornament hangers

Using a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut each slice of bread.  Attach an ornament hanger to each shape.

CRANBERRY HEARTS

6 yards of 22-gauge florist wire

2 lbs. fresh cranberries

Cut florist wire into 18 inch lengths.  Thread fresh cranberries onto wires; then bend each into a heart shape.  Yield:  12 ornaments.

ORANGE BASKETS

12 oranges

3 cups bird seed

3 cups suet (ground fine)

3 cups sunflower seeds

3 cups raisins

12 feet 1/2-inch-wide ribbon

Cut oranges into basket shapes and scoop out pulp.  Put birdseed, suet, sunflower seeds and raisins in individual bowls.  Fill the orange baskets with ingredients from the bowls.  

Loop ribbon through basket "handles."  

Yield:  12 ornaments.

AMARYLLIS BULBS

  

Of all the bulbs that will flower out of season indoors, one of the easiest is the Amaryllis.  They can provide bright flowers during the dark months of winter.  Amaryllis can be kept as a house plant for years with the right care.  Thriving best when the roots are crowded, they require a pot 2-4 inches wider than the bulb.  They bloom for 2-4 weeks, usually between December and April.

LIGHT  Indirect sun is needed when the bulb starts to flower.  Partial shade helps to bring out brilliant color of flowers.

TEMPERATURE:  A warm temperature is needed for forcing into flower; cool conditions make flowers last longer.

MOISTURE:  Water well after potting, then keep on the dry side until root growth is started.  Then keep moist while growing.

PROPAGATION:  Propagate from seed (three years to flowering) or divide bulbs at potting time (two years to flowering).

POTTING:  Use a well-drained potting mix, potting the bulbs into a five to seven inch pot.  Allow one inch of soil around the bulb.  The bulb is potted to leave the upper third exposed above the soil.

Water well and don’t water again  until it sprouts.  After it sprouts move it into the sun and begin watering.  Move to the shade when it’s ready to flower.

FERTILIZER:  Apply water-soluable house plant fertilizer once a month during growth season, or as long as leaves are green.

INSECTS:  Amaryllis is subject to spider mites and mealy bugs.  Treat with insecticide.

REMARKS:  After the bulb has flowered, place outdoors in a semi-shady location for summer growth.  In the fall when leaves die down, store in a cool, dry location until signs of growth appear in late fall or winter.

CHRISTMAS CACTUS

 

The unusual stems and timely blossoms of these commonly grown 

house plants are both delightful and fascinating.  Christmas cactus is an old favorite.  It has striking, bright green arched branches made up of flat, scalloped 11/2 inch long joints.  The branches droop, especially when in bloom.  It’s multi-trumpeted, 3-inch long, rosy red flowers, plus other colors, appear at Christmas time.

SCHLUMBERGERAS are native to the tropical forests of South America, where they grow on trees.  They require rich, porous soil.  Keep soil most but not soggy, and fertilize weekly when the plant is growing.  They do well in front of a cool, bright window.  During the summer you can move them outdoors into partial shade.  Budding is brought on by the short days of October and November or by a cold shock.  To promote flowering, place plants outdoors for a time during the fall.

LIGHT:  Place in a bright but indirectly lit south, east or west window.

WATER:  Keep very moist during growth and flowering.  At other times, allow to dry between waterings.

HUMIDITY:  Average indoor humidity levels.

TEMPERATURES :  40°F. to 45°F. at night; 60°F. to 65°F. during the day to set flower buds; 50°F. to 55°F. at night, 65°F. to 70°F. during the day at other times.

FERTILIZATION:  Fertilize only when plant is actively growing or flowering.  

PROPAGATION:  Take cuttings from recently matured stems or shoots when plant is not in flower.

GROOMING:  Prune after flowering if necessary. 

Re-potting:  Infrequent potting is best.

PROBLEMS:  Dry soil or high soluble salts may damage roots, causing dieback.