Kudos to Ford

 

Admiring their new Ford Flex

My daughter Rana and her husband Cody live in Colorado on the Front Range. While their particular neighborhood didn't suffer much from the rains and flooding the school Rana teaches at had water problems, friends of theirs lost all to the flood and many roads near them were covered in water.

This summer Rana and Cody were here for a visit and ended up buying a new Ford Flex. (a VERY comfortable car!) She emailed us this week and said they had gotten a letter from FORD. The letter said that in light of the devastating flooding in Colorado if they needed to have their car payments deferred FORD would be willing to work with them.

While Rana and Cody won't need to take advantage of the offer, it was very good of FORD to make the offer. It's nice to know that the big guys are willing to help out those in need.

Wordless Wednesday

Beauty Tips Busted

There is so much info floating around the internet about which beauty products are safe and which contain harmful chemicals. It's really hard to know what's true. This is a blog post that tries to set some records straight and bust some beauty myths. (I was especially glad to hear that hair dye is safe!)

Here at Gathered From The Garden we try to use many natural ingredients. As a certified Aromatherapist I try to incorporate essential oils whenever I can. Some of the herbs and flowers we use are organically grown in my garden.

As always, it's good to read ingredient labels and follow product directions.

Wordless Wednesday

Fall Bucket List

Autumn Sunset

Here is my Fall Bucket list of all the things I want to make sure I do this season. You know, before we wake up and it's December!

1. Go apple picking at Stillwater Orchard

2. Find the perfect pair of new Fall boots: caramel colored

3. Make caramel apples

4. Organize all my sweaters

5. Try to make pumpkin butter

6. Sit by a campfire and make s'mores 

7. Watch Viking football (in spite of their horrible start to the season)

8. Decorate our front step with mums and pumpkins

9. Make it to an Octoberfest--if not here in MN I hear there is a fun one in Lacrosse, WI

10. Make a trip up north hopefully to Duluth to see the fall colors

11. Make a Fall trip to the wineries in Delano or Melrose, MN 

12. Celebrate our 40th anniversary! (October 20)

13. Check out a local pumpkin patch with our little grandson Jack when we go to visit him in Oct.

14. Eat butternut soup.

15. Take a walk in the woods along the lake trail at St. John's

16. Carve a pumpkin

17. Practice my photography skills doing some fall mini-sessions

18. Take the grands on an overnight adventure on their Fall break

19. Rake up a huge pile of leaves to jump into

20. Make a big pan of apple crisp

What's on your Fall Bucket list?

 

Are You Prepared?

September is National Preparedness Month. After seeing the flood disaster in Colorado and Mexico this week, it really made me think about whether or not our family is prepared for a disaster.

I found this list of things you should have handy in case of an emergency. How many do you have ready?

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
• One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food

You might also want to include these:

Prescription medication and glasses

Infant formula and diapers

Pet food and extra water for your pet

Cash or traveler's checks and change

Important family documents in a waterproof, portable container.

Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person.

Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes.

Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted, nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.

Fire extinguisher

Matches in a waterproof container

Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items

Paper and pencil

These lists were taken from the FEMA website.
 

Wordless Wednesday