Za'atar is SO. YUMMY!

My awesome friend Jill gave me some homemade za'atar seasoning for Christmas, and a wonderful recipe for making a za'atar flatbread using the Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day (also known affectionately among us convers as ABin5 or even AB5). If you don't know what I'm talking about, let's start here. AB5 is a REVOLUTIONARY, super easy and wonderful way to have fresh, homemade, preservative-free bread anytime you want, with less than 5 mintues work. Really. So, go, buy their first book, or their second one (including gluten free and loads of whole grain recipes), then come back here and finish reading this post. We'll wait.

Now, the spice mix, za'atar, is a middle eastern blend of sesame seeds, salt, thyme, and sumac. It is DELCIOUS! Lemony-tart, and just fantastic. You can make your own, or buy it. For extra herby bonus points, you can grow your own thyme AND wildcraft the sumac! (Sumac is easily found in the eastern and midwest parts of the US and Canada).


The specific recipe I used was the AB5 boule (whole wheat), baked as a flatbread, but, if you wantedn to try this at home, you could use any foccacia type recipe and basically substitute the za'atar seasoning for the rosemary. Otherwise it is made the same - put your dough on an oiled sheet, use your fingers to make indentations in the dough, sprinkle on your seasoning and some coarse salt, drizzle with olive oil, and bake at 450 until it's done. I meant to get a picture of it right out of the oven but, as you can see, that did not happen. It was just. too. good.

Friday we made it to work, only to discover the power had gone out, AGAIN. So I snapped some pictures, we hung out with my mom and granpda for an hour, then headed home. Not much we can do without power. :(
All the treese were coated with ice, like this. It's hard to see, but it was really beautiful. The ice is super dangerous, yet beautiful. We had ice combined with fog, so everything seemed really surreal, sort of soft, and very quiet. out in the country the only noise you heard was ice falling. Lots and lots of ice falling off of EVERYTHING. It was strangely beautiful, I'm so glad I got to experience it.

This is what happens when you have ice plus wind. Crazy sidways icicles. :)


In this picture you can actually see the ice chunks dangling from the branches, ready to fall at the slightest movement. The ground below was littered with ice chunks (next picture).

Saturday we were FINALLY able to work, we processed as many orders as we could. During the afternoon, the fog rolled in again, for about an hour and a half we watched the world slowly disappear out the window. Then we headed home, slowly and veeeeery carefully.

Today: a blizzard! no, I'm not kidding. We are officially under a blizzard warning, Donna is reporting big drifts already. She had difficulty making it into town this morning and said the road is probably impassable now, until the wind stops and the plows can get through. School is cancelled, AGAIN. At this rate, the schoolkids are going to be in school until mid-June, I swear.

What a winter!

oh, John got some REALLY great ice pictures on Friday, check them out: Jag's Photo Blog

First up: obligatory weather-related news info. It's still icy as hell out there. Donna slipped and slid her way out to the shop yesterday to check on Violet, the shop kitty. (Violet THRIVES on "alone time" - as long as she has food and water she really doesn't mind not seeing us for a day or two. We're not cruel people keeping the kitty locked up all alone, I promise...she likes it.) This is the photo she took of the shop siding. Now imagine that same amount of ice covering EVERYTHING. Doors, windows, cars, outbuildings, sidewalks, EVERYTHING. It's crazy. And more than a little dangerous. It's melting a bit now, so envision big chunks and sheets of ice randomly falling off roofs and power lines, and slight puddles of slick water on top of even slicker ice, and you've got an idea of what central Iowa is like right now.

Second! Something actually not realated to weather. I am slooowly getting my computer back in order. I THINK I have the files downloaded and put on my computer, now I'm putting them back in their proper places. I realized that I have a TON of herbal articles and recipes. A ton! So I'm going to do a better job of sharing them with you. This one is for Erin, our friend and former neighbor. She is having trouble finding a shampoo she can use. I sent her a Just Plain Shampoo bar and I hope that will work for her, but, I also have several recipes for non-soap shampoos that I have personally tried and love. Here is a recipe for a Lemon Egg Wash. Don't be scared, it really works. It's great, actually! So try it!
Old Fashioned Lemon Egg Wash

2 eggs
juice of 1/2 lemon
2 tbsp. spring water or hydrosol

Remove eggs from fridge and let warm to room temperature (this could take an hour
or two). Thoroughly beat the eggs, then add the juice of ½ lemon,and about 2 tbsp.
water, your favorite herbal infusion, or hydrosol. In a warm shower, wet hair
thoroughly, then massage egg mixture into your scalp and hair.

The key to this recipe is to really take time to thoroughly massage your scalp and
hair – it won't suds, but the cleansing action is still happening. Then, using
lukewarm water, rinse the mixture completely out of your hair. It is very important
NOT to use hot water, as this can and will cook the egg, and you will have scrambled
eggs in your hair - NOT fun!This mixture made my hair really light, fluffy, soft and smooth!

I needed no
extra conditioners or rinses. This would be an especially fantastic shampoo for
blondes or people with lighter colored hair, especially if you substituted a
strong chamomile tea f or the water or hydrosol.

We had a whopper of an ice storm yesterday. Everything - EVERYTHING - is covered in a thick layer of ice. John got some pictures from our house yesterday, if you'd like to see. Donna is literally iced into her house. John and I are going to attempt to make it out to the farm later today, feed her horses and see if we can de-ice the front walkway a bit, but we do NOT want any customers coming out. Please, don't come out! It is dangerous. After we get some things de-iced we will let you know when it is safe to venture out again. But for today, please...stay in, stay safe, be warm! Shop online if you like. :)

AND, because all of the posts lately have been about weather, here's something different and fun. Here is a fantastic compilation of herby links - all kinds of information, recipes, and ideas! Absolutely divine. enjoy!

We have been having QUITE a bit of interesting weather this winter. This past weekend, we have had almost 4 solid days of fog, with lots of hoar frost. Hoar frost is interesting, and extremely beautiful. I felt as if I was in a foggy, dreamy winter wonderland all day. John captured some gorgeous images! I've got 4 to post here, but if you'd like to see more, visit his blog.



That was yesterday. Today, we're having an ice storm. Donna is stuck indoors fretting that she can't get out to feed her horses. It is a SOLID sheet of ice out there. From my living room window I can see it collecting on the tree branches - which are hanging lower and lower by the minute - and power lines, which are swaying dangerously. Interesting stuff.....

Today's post is all about condiments.

(today's post is all about shamelessly using other people's recipes and pictures. ha.)

Abby posted this amazing mustard recipe! I had actually meant to make mustard before Christmas, to use as gifts, but never got around to it. However, I'm glad I didn't, because her recipe honestly looks better than any I'd found online. And before you ask. Mustard seed can be bought at any bulk herb supplier...I got mine locally from Penzeys. I love Penzeys. Love, love, love. LOVE!

And last night, made my first Aioli! Which, for those of you that don't know, is a homemade garlic mustard. I used this recipe, and dipped some homemade oven fries in it. SO. FREAKING. GOOD. I really do just want to dip everything in it. It wasn't hard to make, either. I used a stick blender, and I was out of lemons, so I used a lemon balm and chive blossom infused vinegar instead of the lemon juice (worked great).

We just got in a gorgeous shipment of local fiber. $6 per 4 oz. bump, wool and wool blends. My standard plea applies: please come buy this before I succumb to temptation and drag it all home. :)

This is an actual order that we shipped yesterday. We love the barter system. :)

Last but not least, local folks, check out this GREAT herbalism class offered at Ancient Ways. Starts tomorrow! If we didn't work Saturdays, we'd be there!

This is amazingly cool! A new iPhone app that will help you decipher cosmetic ingredients while you're out shopping, and let you choose ones that are safe and even eco-friendly. For only $1.99. Amazing! Read the article here: http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Products-Markets/iPhone-application-helps-consumer-avoid-dangerous-ingredients?utm_source=RSS_text_news

This is a bit of a belated post, dear blog-readers, and for that, we apologize. Those of you who visit our farm regularly are well aware that we have a motley crew of canines that accompany us everywhere. We refer to them as the "welcoming committee". The leader of the pack was Jake (shown above), Donna's "right hand dog". He showed up on the farm, about 13 years ago...full grown, out of nowhere, and said "Hi. I'm going to live here now." He was the perfect dog, gentle, quiet, never needed a leash or did anything wrong. He was just..there, steadfast, calm, and wonderful. He adored Donna with all his canine heart, and was there for her in great times of need. Time passed, and while his spirit remained valiant and true, his body became old, and simply didn't work anymore. He passed away, peacefully at home, surrounded by his human, canine and feline family, shortly after Christmas. So next time you visit the farm, you won't see the big lovable chocolate lab there....but we know for sure that he is with us in spirit.

I totally meant to post this yesterday. MY BAD!

We have NEW HOURS at Prairieland Herbs. As some of you know, my mom is the full-time caregiver for my grandpa. It's a big job, and she's doing SO well at it! But, we really need to be able to be a bit more flexible with our worktime. So, we are changing our shop hours. Our new hours, effective immediately, are:

Thursday, 12-5
Friday, 12-5
Saturday, 12-5

Internet folks note: This will not affect your order delivery times - we will still be processing and packing orders pretty much as normal. This will just allow us to be more flexible in our working hours.

Thanks everyone, for your understanding.

In other news - I THINK I might have my laptop files restored. We will see tomorrow. I still don't know if I'll be able to update the website right away though. I promise....we're working on it though. But I repeat - Our shopping cart is working just fine, and we are continuing to have our $5 flat-rate shipping AND whipped shea butters on sale until I can get the site updated. So, shop and enjoy! :)

So, John, our ever-faithful Prairieland Herbs order-packer, horse-fence-builder, candle-maker and general all-around handyman and good guy, is doing a "365" on his blog. What that means is, he is going to take a picture, every day, with his iPhone, and blog it. It's really fun to see what he comes up with every day! I suspect alot of the pictures will be of Prairieland Herbs, cats, and drinks. Because those are important things in his (our) life :) Anyway, if you'd like to follow his blog, here is the link: Leprechaun947.blogspot.com.

What fantastic (and honest) customers we have! We were actually closed last Saturday, but didn't advertise that fact very well, so several people stopped by the store. In true honest midwesterner fashion, they both shopped, left detailed notes of what they took, and payment...including tax. WE LOVE OUR CUSTOMERS SO MUCH! You guys rock. :)

Are you tired of snow pictures yet?

Here is the path Donna cleared so she could get into the barn to feed the horses. The drift was over the door. Shoveling snow higher than your head is EXTREMELY difficult. Just in case you were wondering.


Here is the path we cleared to the classroom.

here is the view from inside the classroom. Yes, that is SNOW covering the windows.

Okay, sorry for the late posting, everyone. I was waiting to check on our road conditions before officially posting about Sample Sunday. So, we are having Sample Sunday tomorrow! The sample basket is filled with 1/2 oz jars of our wonderful, moisturizing Spiced Vanilla Berry body butter - stop on by and get one, FREE!


S Avenue off Highway 210 is still closed, but you CAN get to Prairieland Herbs with only a small detour. You can get to PLH from S Avenue approching from the north. Take 210 north, turn left at the Caseys, and take the next left onto S. Avenue. If this confuses you, call (515)438-4268 and we'll be glad to verbally direct you in. (see below post for photos!)

our wonderful neighbors to the north, Picket Fence Creamery, are open as well! We're expecting a veritable heat wave - 20 degrees!! So come on out, oogle the snowdrifts, and have a great time in the country!

Okay. Prairieland Herbs is officially OPEN! However, you cannot access our road, S. Avenue, from 210, you must approach it from the north. Why, you ask? Well, here's why! (thanks for the pictures John).

If you don't know how to access S. Avenue from the north, just call us at (515)438-4268 and we'll talk you through, it's very easy. :)

Here's the stats. Iowa usually gets about 36 inches of snow per year. Most of that tends to come late in the winter or even early in the spring - February and March. Well as of today, we already have our 36 inches. Something tells us it's going to be a loooooong winter.

Donna sends these pictures from her iphone. She is still WAY snowed in, but everyone is safe and warm and well fed.This picture is taken from Donna's deck. This is her path to the barn, our shop parking lot, and - notice the barn - the snowdrift is OVER THE TOP of the six foot door. I cannot even fathom how much shoveling is in my future.

Maggie's computer is STILL downloading files. I expect it to take another few days at this rate. Continue to enjoy the $5 flat rate shipping and whipped shea butter sale. I can't update the website until my computer is back to normal.

COOL! Juice Magazine interviewed us 2 weeks ago and came out last week to take some photos, and now the article is live! They did a great job :)

Colby, Jack and Ohio are all gorgeous 14 week old male kittens. They've been in fostercare since they were about 4 weeks old, and are an utter delight! They come from a family of six boys. Their three siblings have already gone to wonderful homes and have settled in beautifully, now these handsome boys await their turn! Colby and Jack (also known as "the cheese boys") are especially attached to each other. While they enjoy the company of all the cats (and the bunny!) in the household, they almost always choose to cuddle together for sleep, and bathe each other often! Ohio is especially attached to people and loves to pretend he is a scarf (he enjoys laying on necks and sitting on shoulders). They are all wonderful, perfectly behaved, loving kittens looking for a great home. They also have LOUD loving purrs! Their adoption fee is $65, and they are neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated. If you are at all interested in adopting one of these wonderful boys, please let us know!


Colby



Ohio



Jack

We're BAAAAACK! Maggie's computer died. AGAIN. All our website stuff is on there, plus I am usually the one that does all the blogging and facebooking. So I have been quiet lately. But, no worries, we are here and fine. COLD, but fine. It's, I think 5 degrees right now. It's been hovering in the single digits during the day, and going below zero, with windchills down to -30 (and less) at night. Ridiculously cold.

Anyway. I have to reinstall EVERYTHING on my computer (grrrr! arrgh!) and THEN I can update the website. So, until then, enjoy a continuation of our $5 flat rate shipping sale! :)

Okay, so you already have four dogs and you get asked to "foster" another, remember, foster means no keeping. So who forgot to explain that to the dog? And from the dog's point of view, if you do not want to be a foster, what do you do? First, be kind to the elderly, second, crawl on the lap of the "foster" person, third, check out the couch for size, comfort, and fit, and finally, cuddle up on the bed of the elderly person with the smallest and most vocal of the original four. Does it work? Absolutely. Dad renamed him Buckshot, Buck for short, Monk made him his best friend and playmate, and the lap thing is a sure winner.

(yes, folks, it's official! Donna has adopted Bullet - now Buck - short for Buckshot. Also, this is Donna's first-ever blog post! yay Donna! - maggie)

The followup story will be on TV13 news, today at 5 PM. check it out! Also, John blogged the tv crew interviewing Bullet/Buck, check out his blog post!

We will be OPEN today from 1-4(ish) to pack and ship the last of the holiday orders! We are still accepting internet orders for holiday shipping until 3PM CST today! Not sure what to get? I'd suggest the "Best of Prairieland Herbs" set, a little sampling of all of our best-sellers, and only $35, INCLUDING shipping!

So, as you may know, Donna and Maggie help a local organization with some pet foster/rescue. THis lovely fellow is Al/Bullet (we prefer to call him Bullet). He was shot by his owner, lived, and is now, fortunately, recovering and in fostercare at Prairieland Herbs. He spent his first night in a house (Maggie's house) last night, and did remarkably well, considering! Isn't he a sweet fellow? To read his whole story, go here: Bullet's Story. He is needing money to cover his vet care, so if you are looking to make a charitable donation this holiday, consider donating to cover his vet care! Some of our VERY generous friends and customers have already donated (thank you, FACEBOOK friends!) - it is MUCH appreciated!

So this morning I headed to work with my faitful Dobercompanion, Duncan, Bullet, and 3 foster kittens. Welcome to my world. :) Bullet is doing GREAT, working on housetraining, is TOTALLY great with the cats and dogs, utterly confused by the mini horses (what ARE those?, he says) and is perfectly behaved on the farm - no leashes or fences needed. So far, so good. Now he just needs to find his forever home.

Shopping across Iowa - 12 Great Places

Our friend Miss Effie wrote a GREAT article about shopping locally, and mentioned 12 of her favorite local shops. And we are mentioned! We are so honored! Thanks Miss Effie! Great article, check it out everyone!

Speaking of shopping, we are TOTALLY on top of the orders, and there is STILL TIME to place your online order for holiday delivery! We are working every day until Christmas, and will be shipping orders every day!

Not sure what to get? our Best of Prairieland Herbs set and our Treats for Feets set are perennial best-sellers!

Sweet! The Radish Magazine did a great article about natural cleaning products, featuring Prairieland Herbs items and our favorite natural cleaning recipes. Check it out!

If natural cleaning is your gig, check out our natural home cleaning products, including our awesome natural laundry gift set, here.

We will be vending at the Downtown Farmer's Market (It's INDOORS, in Capital Square) this Friday, from 11-2 and Saturday, 9-1. If you'd like us to bring anything in particular, please let us know! We will be located on the 2nd level (skywalk level) across the hall from the sushi market. We look forward to seeing you there!

Tired of snow pics yet? Friday, we had to shovel out the waist-high drift from the sidewalk to the shop...there's now a sort of tunnel to walk through. :)

ANd then, we had to dig out the chest-high drift from in front of the classroom!


There was collateral storm damage....mailbox broken by the county snowplow :(


The drifts were so big, our normal snow removal guy (with a big truck and snowblade) couldn't dig us out. A back hoe was required.

And, while Karla was snowed in, she wrapped a few bars of soap for us. This might hold us until the end of the week. Then again...it might not....