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Refusing To Dump Milk, Pennsylvania Dairy Farmer Decides to Bottle Their Own. Sells Out in Hours.

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The economic effects of the coronavirus have been especially harsh on family farms, but one small farm found a unique way to stay in business.

Refusing To Dump Milk, Pennsylvania Dairy Farmer Decides to Bottle Their Own. Sells Out in Hours.

Facebook | Whoa Nellie Dairy

A Longtime Family Business

Ben and Mary Beth Brown own the Whoa Nellie Dairy Farm in Acme, Pennsylvania. The Johnsons sell milk, cream, cheese and other products at their dairy store. They sell the rest to Schneider’s of Pittsburgh, a large dairy distributor.

The farm has been in the Brown family since the 1700s.

Refusing To Dump Milk, Pennsylvania Dairy Farmer Decides to Bottle Their Own. Sells Out in Hours.

Facebook | Whoa Nellie Dairy

The Distributor Told Them to Dump the Milk

Recently, Schneider’s informed the Browns that it wouldn’t be picking up the milk and they should just dump it.

“I hate the idea of wasting food or milk when people are struggling,” Mary Beth told CNN in an interview. “We decided instead to pasteurize, bottle and sell the milk ourselves.”

Working Around the Clock

In a Facebook announcement, Ben told local residents, “We can only pasteurize and bottle 30 gallons at a time, but we are going to work around the clock to try to bottle as much as we can. We are really going to try to not waste a drop.”

Over the next few days, Ben worked 24-hour shifts to get it done.

Refusing To Dump Milk, Pennsylvania Dairy Farmer Decides to Bottle Their Own. Sells Out in Hours.

Facebook | Whoa Nellie Dairy

Tremendous Community Support

The response was overwhelming.

One Facebook post showed the cars and trucks that lined the road as people waited for hours to buy milk. The entire community turned out to support the Browns.

Refusing To Dump Milk, Pennsylvania Dairy Farmer Decides to Bottle Their Own. Sells Out in Hours.

Facebook | Photo credit: michaelmphotos.com

Still Standing

In another Facebook post, Ben wrote, “Over the last couple of years, hundreds of farmers have gone under, yet we remain. I want to thank all of you who have stood in line for our milk. It is you who are keeping us going and keeping this family farm alive. Thank you!”

The Browns are still selling milk and other dairy products. They have also donated extra milk to area food banks. They purchased a larger pasteurizer, and Ben no longer has to work 24-hour shifts to get the milk bottled.

Refusing To Dump Milk, Pennsylvania Dairy Farmer Decides to Bottle Their Own. Sells Out in Hours.

How to Cut Your Own Hair at Home | Step-By-Step Guide

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During this unprecedented time, most of us are facing a new reality. Many are spending most of their days at home in self-isolation. All but essential businesses are closed. Perhaps you’ve found yourself in need of a hair trim. Maybe you’re tired of pushing your hair out of your eyes. Fortunately, it’s possible to take matters into your own hands. Keep reading to learn how to cut your own hair at home. Follow these steps, and you’ll be looking refreshed without regret in no time.

How to Cut Your Own Hair

GATHER YOUR TOOLS

You’ll want to get your supplies in order and have them at hand before you begin. Some towels to catch the fallen hair, a handheld mirror to see your head at all angles and the sharpest scissors you can find should do the trick. Avoid using regular household scissors if possible. They won’t give you a precise cut and will lead to frayed edges. If you can order professional hair shears, that’s best. Otherwise, use the sharpest scissors you own. You’ll get a cleaner cut and have more control with sharper shears.

CONSIDER STARTING WITH DRY HAIR

You may be used to having your hair cut when it’s wet. That’s because stylists are properly trained to cut the hair with the most precision. Because you’re new at this, you probably won’t want to try to be so exact. A better approach may be to start with clean, dry hair. This ensures your hair falls into its usual style so that you can use that shape as a guide. It also helps to prevent cutting too much. Remember, hair shrinks up once it’s dry.

TAKE SMALL STEPS

The most important thing to keep in mind when cutting your own hair is to start with small cuts. It’s good to cut less length that you want because you can always cut more if you’re not satisfied. However, there’s nothing you can do to fix it once you’ve chopped too much. You also want to section your hair off with clips and work in small sections at a time. Each section should be an inch or two in width. This allows you to see what you’re working with and to take your time.

Start at the front. Hold a small section of hair between your fingertips and use short, upward snips. You don’t want to cut straight across, as this can be too harsh. It also makes mistakes more glaringly obvious. Repeat this process with each section. Take your time and remember you can always go back to fix any uneven spots.

Keep these tips in mind when cutting your own hair at home. Even a small trim can make a big difference in your appearance and your mood.

TECHNIQUES FOR CUTTING LONG AND SHORT HAIR

For those of you with long hair, this is an easy method you might want to try.

If you have shorter hair, here is a great tutorial that’s easy to follow.

How to Cut Your Own Hair

How to Grow Your Own Potatoes in a Bag or Container

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They’re tasty boiled, baked, mashed, fried and roasted. If you’re a fan of spuds, you can now grow your own easily in a bag or a bucket. If you have a tiny garden or no garden at all, you can grow tasty, nutritious potatoes.

How to Grow Your Own Potatoes in a Bag or Container

Anyone Can Grow Your Own Potatoes at Home

Most of us think potatoes need a lot of land. In reality, you can grow them anywhere that’s sunny. It’s not complicated, and it’s an affordable way to grow your own organic potatoes.

You will need:

  • Bags or buckets for growing.
  • Garden soil.
  • Organic fertilizer.
  • Compost.
  • Seed potatoes.

Lots of People Are Ready to Help

Are you nervous about getting started? Don’t be. The online world is full of people who want to help you do this.

Van Meuwen Gardening makes grow bags that come with their own seed potatoes. The company has created a wonderfully helpful instructional video that walks you through the whole process.

Potatoes Even Grow In a Bucket

Hollis and Nancy of Urban Homestead show you how to grow potatoes and sweet potatoes in a 5-gallon bucket.

As Hollis says, “If you have room for a bucket or two in an area that gets good sunlight, you can grow potatoes.”

Goodness That Tastes Good

Potatoes aren’t just good to eat. They’re also good for you. They contain high levels of vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, copper, antioxidants and dietary fiber.

Buy some grow bags now. You’ll be ready to harvest your own potatoes this summer.

How to Grow Your Own Potatoes in a Bag or Container

Neighbors Are Throwing A Social Distance Dance Party Every Morning

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If social distancing is making you feel stir-crazy, take a tip from a group of neighbors in Frodsham, a village in the UK. Every morning, neighbors fire up the music and start dancing.

Social Distance Dance Party

A Daily Dose of Fun

Every day, they enjoy a safe, socially distant dance party. The whole neighborhood looks forward to this daily dose of fun.

They Call It Distance Dancing

Local fitness instructor Janet Woodcock came up with the idea to help older people feel less isolated. She now leads the combination dance party and workout each morning. Elsa Williams, a neighbor who posted a video of the party on her Twitter account, said it’s become a popular event.

“Distance dancing only lasts 10 minutes a day so causes minimal disturbance,” she tweeted. “Mostly our road is kids and elderly residents who are self-isolating, so they look forward to it.”

It’s a Sensation

The dance was supposed to be a one-time thing, but it became too popular. The daily dance has attracted the attention of CNN, the BBC and other news outlets looking for some good news to share during the worldwide lockdown.

Williams said the dancing has lifted everyone’s spirits and made the community closer than it was before.

Bringing People Together In a Safe Way

“It was only meant to be a one time thing, but it lifted people round here up a bit and they wanted more,” she wrote. “It’s also worth noting that our road hardly spoke to each other before all this!”

What is your community doing to bring everyone together safely?

Neighbors Are Throwing A Social Distance Dance Party Every Morning

Grandpa Has The Sweetest Dance-Off With Granddaughter From Across The Street

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He’s 81 years old. His name is “Papa.” Or at least that is what his darling six-year-old granddaughter Kira likes to call him. And for the sake of love, he is busting out the dance moves to make Kira smile.

Grandpa Has The Sweetest Dance-Off With Granddaughter From Across The Street

Kira and Papa’s Story

When Kira was just a baby, her grandparents moved into the house right across the street. Kira and her mom, Sherrie, feel grateful to have her parents so close.

But right now it isn’t safe to let Kira run across the street several times each day to go play with her elderly Papa and Grandmama.

And so….Kira and Papa started holding daily dance parties.

Staying Close While Staying Safe

Kira chooses the playlist songs. She shows up for the daily dance-offs decked out in her best finery.

Papa (real name Marvin Neely) wears denim and a windbreaker jacket. Kira throws down the initial challenge and then waits eagerly to see what her grandfather will do next.

As Marvin’s daughter, Sherrie, puts it, he “has some special moves.” She also says she has never seen him dance before – until now.

Grandpa Has The Sweetest Dance-Off With Granddaughter From Across The Street

The Best Kind of Virus to Catch

What is so neat about this video is – dare we say it – how it, too, has gone viral. But now we are not running for masks, gloves and toilet paper.

Instead, we are running to hit the “share” button so we can pass the laughter, joy, hope and love along.

Kira and Papa Are on the Today Show!

Within days of when Sherrie posted the friendly little home video clip on her personal Facebook page, the Today Show picked it up.

Now it, too, has made its way around the world from America to Canada, India, Europe and beyond.

This Man Shares His Bed With 9 Senior Rescue Dogs

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To more than one million Instagram fans, the name Steve Greig is synonymous with hope, smiles and love. Who is Steve Greig, you might be wondering?

 

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It All Started With Wolfgang the Pup

Steve Greig is an accountant. When Steve’s rescue pup, Wolfgang, was hit by a car and killed in 2013, he couldn’t get over his grief. The only thing that helped was when he rescued Eeyore, a senior chihuahua with four bad knees and a heart problem.

 

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Wolfgang’s Legacy Turned Into a New Family for Steve Greig

Eeyore led to Englebert, Edna, Enoch, Loretta, Phyllis, Josh, Melvin and Madeline – all senior rescue dogs many would consider “un-adoptable.” But Steve doesn’t see it that way. He is happy to get up before 5am each morning to give his ever-expanding family of senior pups medicine, serve their breakfast, make potty runs and – most importantly – lavish them with love.

 

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Dogs, Pigs, Turkeys, Chickens – Everyone Is Welcome

Dogs aren’t the only beloved rescues in Steve’s unique family, however. A not-so-miniature potbellied pig named Bikini sleeps in a pink princess bed near the dog door (which doubles as a pig door). A chicken named Betty hangs out with the dogs all day. And a turkey named Tofu is the official household greeter.

 

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Steve’s Instagram Is a Hub for Rescue Moms and Dads Everywhere

As Steve’s rescued family has grown over the years, he has used his super-popular Instagram, Wolfgang 2242, as a platform to encourage others to adopt senior dogs.

 

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“The One and Only Wolfgang” Is Now a Book!

Most recently, Steve has released a children’s book called “The One and Only Wolfgang.” The book also supports Steve’s message that adopting senior pets can be a wonderful, loving, life-saving choice.


‘Teddy Bear Hunts’ Offer Kids A Fun And Safe Distraction Amid Coronavirus Lockdown

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Communities across the country are hosting “teddy bear hunts” to help kids and their parents cope with being cooped up because of the coronavirus. The charming trend has also spread to neighborhoods in Brussels, London and Reykjavik.

On the Hunt for Huggable Bears

What’s a teddy bear hunt?

It means neighbors put stuffed teddy bears in their windows or on their porches. When parents and their children walk around the neighborhood, they count how many teddies they see. It’s a distracting, entertaining activity kids can do while they’re in social isolation.

Teddy Bear Hunts Get Everyone Involved

Shanna Bonner Groom, who got her Murfreesboro, Tennnessee, neighbors to stage a hunt, said half the homes in her 200-house neighborhood are now participating, even houses where no little kids live.

“We have some houses where probably every stuffed animal they own is stuffed into a window,” she told Time magazine.

They’re Creating Community

Some people have added a whole variety of wildlife to the mix. Children have spotted stuffed dogs, ducks, reindeers, possums and foxes while on the hunt.

The hunt also gives parents a chance to get out of the house. In an NBC News Report, people said the bear hunts show that people care about each other.

Getting Creative

Some people used the opportunity to show off their creativity.

In the UK, the owners of a home in Heaton Moor caught everyone’s attention for their bear displays. Every day, they pose two life-size bears doing activities like housework, gardening and laying concrete. The Moor Bears now have their own Instagram page.

 

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Is your community doing a teddy bear hunt?

Super Pink Moon Coming In April – Here’s How To See It

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Astronomists and sky watchers everywhere have something to look forward to in April. The first full moon of spring, known as the super pink moon, will be in the sky on the night of April 7.

Pink Moon

What Makes The Moon “Super”?

The term “super moon” refers to an event where the moon appears unusually large in the sky. This moon happens to occur during the moon’s perigee, which is the point in the moon’s orbit when it’s closest to Earth. Super moons are brighter than full moons and often have a slight color.

What’s In a Name?

This particular super moon goes by several names including the fish moon, grass moon or egg moon. Those names come from Native American lunar ceremonies. Christians call it the Paschal moon because it arrives just before Easter.

The moon does not glow pink.

Most people call it the pink moon because of a spring flower that starts blooming at the same time. The moss pink plant, also known as wild ground phlox, is a ground cover with delicate pink flowers. Those pink flowers are one of the first signs of spring.

When Can You See The Super Pink Moon?

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the moon will be visible after sunset and at its brightest around 10:30 PM eastern time:

“For the best view of this lovely spring moon, find an open area and watch as the moon rises just above the horizon, at which point it will appear its biggest and take on a golden hue.”

Are you planning to catch the pink moon?

Crochet Succulents and Cacti Will Brighten Up Your Window Sill

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Brighten up your desktop or a windowsill with beautiful beautiful crochet succulents and cacti that you never need to feed, water or prune. If you’re looking for a quick, easy project with a wonderful payoff, pull out your needles and start crocheting these colorful flowering plants.

Here’s Why You Need These Crochet Succulents

You love to knit and crochet, but sometimes, your preferred projects can take a long time. You also might be getting bored with the usual scarves or hats.

With these crochet patterns, you can quickly create bright, pretty decorations for your home or office. Making these is an enjoyable project that’s suitable for any skill level.

Totally Precious Potted Plants

These darling potted plants are perfect for you or for a gift.

Are you far from a green thumb? Do you kill every plant you attempt to grow? That’s not a problem because these plants require no care.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for someone who needs cheering up? These tiny, darling flowers will bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Find Your Favorite Flowers

You can choose a miniature planter packed with spiny cacti or a blooming Christmas cactus.

If you prefer flowers, select a colorful planter filled with primroses, pansies or African violets. They are all bright, realistic and totally adorable.

How Can You Get Crochet Succulents?

The patterns for these projects are available from the Etsy store Planet June, which specializes in crochet patterns. Reviewers say these plant patterns are fun, quick and easy to do.

As soon as you make the payment, you’ll get an instant download of the pattern you choose. All you have to do is choose your yarn.

Have fun making these darling plants for your next project.

Turn Handwritten Recipes From Loved Ones Into A Special Recipe Plate

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A family member’s famous “secret” recipe is deserving of its own recipe plate.  If your relatives are like most, you probably have at least one piece of lined paper with a recipe written carefully in longhand. There might also be a few splotches, spills and scribbled notes.

A RECIPE THAT’S BEEN HANDED DOWN

You’ve probably handed that piece of paper around for generations, and it may be starting to fall apart. Now, you can take that piece of paper and have it memorialized forever on a ceramic pie plate, quiche plate, platter, serving dish or casserole pan.

MAKE THAT TATTERED PIECE OF PAPER LIVE FOREVER

Imagine seeing your grandmother’s handwriting permanently inscribed on a plate that you can use to bake a pie or hang on the wall. Think about handing that plate down to your own children and grandchildren.

You can also choose to permanently inscribe your wedding invitation or a special letter on a plate. Did your mother write an encouraging note to you that you’ve kept all these years? Immortalize it on a plate.

TURN IT INTO A WORK OF ART

Prairie Hills Pottery is an Etsy shop that specializes in turning handwritten notes into objects of lasting, useful beauty. The lettering, invitations or other documents are etched in black paint on pure white plates. The look is simple and stunning.

A recipe plate can also work as a wall display.

A RECIPE PLATE MAKES AN UNFORGETTABLE GIFT

They are amazing:

  • Wedding gifts.
  • Sympathy gifts.
  • Birthday presents.
  • Holiday gifts.

They come in your choice of size and shape.

HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GORGEOUS RECIPE PLATE

Prairie Hills Pottery is an Etsy seller with five-star customer ratings and enthusiastic reviews. Get ready to turn your favorite family items into heirlooms that will be cherished forever.