January 17, 2007     

Greetings Farmhand!

Looking for recipes to spice up your January? Or, do you need a special dish for that Mardi Gras feast? Then look no further! FarmersAlmanacTV.com features a bunch of Cajun and Creole recipes that will save you a trip to New Orleans!

And if you plan to paint your house Creole Red this winter, don't forget to check out our story about environmentally friendly paints that will help your whole family breathe easier.





Some featured recipes on FarmersAlmanacTV.com:

Spinach Balls are served warm or at room temperature with a good quality mustard. They can be frozen unbaked and then popped into the oven (ideal for unexpected guests).

Shrimp Creole is a hearty and spicy shrimp stew with onions, green peppers, celery and tomatoes. Serve over hot, cooked rice.

Jambalaya is a thick, rich dish straight from the Bayou that's nicely seasoned but has room for creativity also.

Creole Seasoning is great for seasoning rice, meats, soups and stews or anything that needs a flavor boost. Also makes a great gift when placed in a decorative jar with recipe attached.

Crab Shrimp Gumbo is a classic Southern stew; Cajun-spiced, and loaded with okra, shrimp, onions, and crab meat.


Weather Wisdom

Do the phases of the Moon affect weather?
The lunar phases, as well as the Moon's distance from Earth, can have a definite effect on our weather. We have especially noticed that unsettled weather in the Northeastern United States tends to occur during the winter months several days before a New Moon and a couple of days after a full Moon. And in those cases when the Moon arrives at perigee (closest to the Earth), at about the same time as it is a New Moon, the odds for stormy weather also tend to increase.

What about El Nino?
El Nino is definitely affecting our weather; however, the temperatures are cooling down and the snow is beginning to fall. Long-range weather predictions from the Farmers' Almanac are pointing towards a stormy February and March in the Northeast. Check out your monthly predictions at http://www.farmersalmanac.com/weather/weather.html




Farmers' Almanac Timely Tips

Slippery Walkway? Mix sand, dirt or kitty litter with your salt when putting it on your walks and driveway to minimize damage to your lawn.

Indoor Gardening Hints
Tired of watering your hanging plant and having the water pour out of the pot?

Next time put a few ice cubes on top of the soil, but not against the plant. When the ice melts, the water will be warm and will be absorbed by the roots.

Houseplant Health Signs of Overwatering

  • Soft yellow-to-brown leaf tips
  • Shedding soft green leaves
  • Soft mushy stems
  • Yellowing ends, and yellowing advancing up the midribs of hardy leaves
  • A sagging wilted plant that does not pick up after being watered and has a pale appearance

    Symptoms of Underwatering

  • Several small, bright yellow leaves
  • Bright yellow lower large leaves
  • Crisp brown tips on newer growth
  • Extensive wilt, or puckered, sunken appearance

    Ever wonder what you could be doing now in the garden? In addition to weather, the Farmers' Almanac also offers a gardening calendar that lists "best" days for doing a variety of planting chores, depending on your climate of course. Go to http://www.farmersalmanac.com/gardening/gardening.html for January and February's gardening calendar from Farmersalmanac.com

    Organize your gardening tools with our attractive and useful garden bag. Complete with 5 of the most needed garden tools: Trowel, cultivator, weeder, pruner, and 30 meters of garden twine with cutter-this water resistant, nylon bag makes gardening even more enjoyable.

    The Farmers' Almanac Garden Tool Bag also contains 6 padded outer pockets for more storage areas (great place to store your Farmers' Almanac, seeds, or a drink) and the bag sports an attractive Farmers' Almanac logo and inspirational gardening quote.

    Note: Flowers not included.

    Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days.

    Only $19.99! Shop now in our online store!


  • Have a question or comment? E-mail us at info@FarmersAlmanacTV.com.


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