The Good Food & Earth Blog

GRAND OPENING of the Giving Earth in Downtown Ashland ~ December 17th!

2011-12-06T22:29:00.000-05:00

~ GRAND OPENING ~

Giving Earth
~ Real ~ Local ~ Sustainable ~
47 East Main St in the heart of Downtown Ashland
(3 doors down from Bull Shooters)

Saturday, December 17th
Noon to 7pm!

Stop by for free samples from the Giving Earth Kitchen & other vendors! Basket weaving demonstrations to be done by Patty Brant throughout the day.
Enter our giveaway for a huge gift basket full of items from the shop (valued at $100+)!
LIVE acoustic music in the evening from 'The Road Home'. It's an event you don't want to miss!!!

An artful & eclectic place to shop for locally produced items!

Some of the available items:

100% All Natural Stone Baked Artisan Breads & Treats by the Giving Earth Kitchen (Polk, OH)
Handmade soaps & Earth friendly soy candles, hand woven baskets & other environmentally friendly gifts from CCF Naturals (Ashland, OH)
Incredible hand crafted artisan jewelry, graphite prints & original drawings by Joahann Bender (Ashland, OH)
A variety of home produced sundries, baking mixes, stitchery and handiwork by Momma & Daughter Hens from The Magic Chicken (Ashland, OH)
Sweet Treats & Cookies made with pure natural goodness from Bethany's Cookie Jar (Ashland, OH)
Upcycled artful lamps & lighting by Timothy Thompson (Ashland, OH)
Nationally & Internationally Nominated Freelance Photography by Kandice Thompson (Polk, OH)
Organically made herbal tea blends & other gifts by Kimberley Newell (Ashland, OH)
Many other items & local artisan goods!

Join us for our GRAND OPENING in downtown Ashland!

~ Keeping it REAL ~ Keeping it LOCAL ~ Keeping it Sustainable ~

The Giving Earth is an artful & eclectic place to shop for locally produced goods such as: Stone baked artisan breads, baked goods, organic mixes, locally produced artwork, handmade soaps, soy candles, organic tea blends and all sorts of other local and environmentally friendly goods!

All our bakers produce items that are 100% free from genetic modification and produced with locally grown or sustainable ingredients. This means no gmo's, no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial flavors, colors or other harmful ingredients and zero trans fat! All baked goods must be 100% natural, the way Momma Earth intended!

All items in our shop are produced by local folks in or around Ashland county. Placement in our shop comes under strict guidelines. All items must be high quality, locally produced or hand crafted and made from scratch or upcycled in it's usage.

The Giving Earth will be offering occasional demonstrations & free classes for the following:

Basket Weaving, Cooking without GMO's, Becoming Sustainable, Organic Gardening, Healthy Eating 101, Benefits of Supporting Local, Natural Pet Care, Herbs & their Uses and so much more!

Visit us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/givingearth

Our website:
www.GivingEarth.com

NEW Local Roots Market in Ashland!

2011-10-18T14:36:00.000-04:00

Hey folks, join From Scratch ~ Old World baked Goods this Saturday at the NEW Local Roots Market Ashland from 9am-Noon! Many local vendors will be there with seasonal produce, baked goods, local crafters & more! Stop by and see us! We'll have many stone baked artisan breads available for sale and maybe even some of our old fashioned fudge.

For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $45 goes back into our community-and our tax base. For every $100 spent at a chain store, only $14 comes back! Local businesses are owned by people who live here, work here and are more invested in our future. Be the solution, support local!

http://www.localrootsashland.com

Environmentally Safe & Chemical FREE Laundry Alternatives

2011-10-06T13:41:00.000-04:00

Throw away any and all commercial Fabric Softeners, you don't need them! A cotton or muslin bag filled with Lavender Flowers works even better. Toss bag in the dryer with each load. Use 1/2 cup to 1 cup of Lavender Flowers per bag full, and that's all you need for a reusable & natural alternative. Each cotton/muslin baggy will usually last 20 to 30 loads or more. The savings & other benefits are substantial.
Vinegar is a necessity in all laundry rooms! Use common distilled vinegar in your washer as a bleach alternative & color booster. Vinegar also works well as a pretreatment on tough stains. Use approx. 2 Tbsp in every load to ensure added softness and guarantee the antibacterial properties. For heavily soiled items and/or loads add 1/2 cup to your wash.
Make your own linen spray. You two can have a custom or aromatherapy spray for your linens and clothing. Take a few drops of your favorite pure essential oil(s) and add them to a spray bottle full of distilled water. Shake bottle well before each use. **Never used fragranced oils, only pure essential oils!)
Next time you wash your delicates, skip the dryer. hang all your goddess wear out or up to dry some place warm or where there is dry air flow. You'll be amazed at the savings on your electric bill!

'Best of Ashland Co.' Photo Contest - Deadline Oct 14th

2011-10-03T15:28:00.000-04:00

From Scratch ~ Old World Baked Goods is proud to help the Ashland Area Convention & Visitors Bureau sponsor the 3rd Annual 'BEST of ASHLAND COUNTY' Photo Contest! Be sure to submit some of your pictures from the Ashland County Fair, Balloon Fest, Local Events or anything else exciting and fun that goes on in Ashland, OH! The sponsorship from 'From Scratch ~ Old World Baked Goods' has covered any entry fees for the contest this year! So what are you waiting for? Go enter your images!!! ;-) Deadline is October 14th, 2011

View the link below to submit your image(s)!

http://www.visitashlandohio.com/

'Worst Ever' PHOTO CONTEST ~ 4 Top Prizes!

2011-10-03T14:50:00.000-04:00

~ WORST EVER Photo Contest!!!! ~

1st Place Winner will receive a $150.00 Gift Certificate towards ANY Photo Shoot and Free 8x10 print of their finished images.
2nd Place will receive a $100.00 Gift Certificate towards ANY Photo Shoot.
3rd Place will receive a $50.00 Gift Certificate towards ANY Photo Shoot
4th Place will receive an 8x10 print of any one of my freelance images (value $15.00)

Let me see your 'Worst Ever' professional portraits of Yourself, Your Family or Your Pet!

To Enter:

Visit the Photography By Kandice Facebook page: www.facebook.com/photographybykandice
Upload your 'Worst Ever' professional portrait of yourself, your family or your pet on our wall
Describe why you would like new & artfully done portraits
You may enter more than 1 image, but no more than 3

Rules & Terms:

By entering this give-a-way, you are giving me permission to use your before & after images for comparison & advertisement purposes.
You or your pet must be present in the photograph. You may not enter on the behalf of someone else.
You must the 18 years or older to enter ~ OR ~ Have your parents consent if you are 13-17 years of age.
None of your personal information is shared or sold to a third party.
You must be a resident of Ohio.

Visit Photography By Kandice online at www.PhotographyByKandice.com

Halloween $20 Gift Certificate Give-A-Way: From Scratch ~ Old World Baked Goods

2011-10-03T14:40:00.000-04:00

HALLOWEEN GIVE-A-WAY!!!! For every order you place now through October 31st, you are automatically entered in the From Scratch ~ Old World Baked Goods 'Halloween Give-A-Way' for a $20 Gift Certificate!

Free local delivery to Ashland City Residents on Tuesday & Wednesday evenings, Free local meet-up at Hartzler Family Dairy parking lot in Wooster on Thursday evenings and Free local delivery to Polk & Redhaw residents any week night!

Enter the 3rd Annual 'Best of Ashland County' Photo Contest!

2011-09-18T14:19:00.000-04:00

From Scratch ~ Old World Baked Goods is proud to help the Ashland Area Convention & Visitors Bureau sponsor the 3rd Annual 'BEST of ASHLAND COUNTY' Photo Contest! Be sure to submit some of your pictures from the Ashland County Fair! Our sponsorship has covered any entry fees for the contest! So what are you waiting for? ;-)

Showing Off for a Cure! July 23rd, 2011

2011-04-14T10:32:00.000-04:00

Join us in ‘Showing Off for a Cure’!

All money raised for the car show will be donated to

Relay for Life from the American Cancer Society.

CLICK HERE

for more information

Earth Day Give-A-Way

2011-04-13T17:58:00.000-04:00

Earth Day Give-A-Way

The Giving Earth & From Scratch ~ Old World Baked Goods are giving-a-way one of their "Coexisting through Sustainability" t-shirts! It's made from 100% cotton & perfect for Earth Month! To enter, simply leave a comment on their Facebook post about the t-shirt give-a-way: http://www.facebook.com/OldWorldCooking Post a thought about Earth Day, Coexisting, Sustainability, Teaching Peace or just a simple hello will do. **Choose M or XL if you are the winner!

Anyone from any location can enter!

This t-shirt can be shipped free of charge to the winner. :o)

During the entire month of April From Scratch ~ Old World Baked Goods is honoring their 1st Anniversary, Earth Day & Arbor Day! They're holding a variety of different Give-A-Ways & Sales all month long! Visit www.GivingEarth.com and click on 'From Scratch'.

I'm a Cancer SURVIVOR & You Can Help Others Become One Too!

2011-04-13T12:23:00.000-04:00

A great man once said, "Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." ~ Buddha ~ This was my mantra through many of my battles and it continues to be my mantra through today. And so I am thankful!

Please join me in the Relay for Life with the National Cancer Society!

This is my personal story:

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/RainbowTree

Peace,

Kandice Thompson

Old World Chef & Freelance Photographer

FREE Easter Morning Delivery to Ashland City Residents

2011-04-05T12:43:00.000-04:00

Now here is a thought! Visit www.GivingEarth.com for more information.

Helping to make the world a greener place.

2011-03-07T12:58:00.000-05:00

**********************************************************************************
Only the finest in quality ingredients are used. No MSG, No rBgh (growth hormones),
No GMO’s, No High Fructose Corn Syrup.
We use unrefined, raw sugar and unbleached, never bromated flour with no enhancements.
When you support us, you support local grown and purchased items from other earth friendly farms.
All our baked goods are blessed with affirmations of love and kindness. You can taste the love!
**********************************************************************************

FREE Local Delivery to Ashland City residents and surrounding areas.

http://www.GivingEarth.com

A Colorful World ~ Ashland, OH

2011-01-20T12:29:00.000-05:00

This is my gift to you. To all my friends & family, something special created by me with a small message at the end. Enjoy and feel free to share. Turn your volume up for the music.

While visiting my aunts house around the 4th of July, we heard a noise in the distance. I recognized it as that of a hot air balloon. Next thing you know the sky is filled with them. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. The sky was clearer than clear and I was happy to have my camera with me.

These balloons are from the Hot Air Balloon Festival held annually in Ashland, OH.

The Versatile Potato ~ Recipe Ideas

2011-01-18T12:33:00.000-05:00

I've been giving a lot of thought on potatoes. Potatoes are a staple in our household, much like my homemade breads. Potatoes are so versatile that you can do almost anything with them!

The potato is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. One medium potato provides a healthy dose of magnesium, iron, potassium, fiber, vitamin C and niacin. Stop buying the frozen and processed potatoes from the grocery store! Buy the real deal potatoes, the ones that still smell like Momma Earth. Yum! Now that's a potato!

Below are some very simple ideas & recipes that I use around the house. Enjoy!

German Potatoes:
Scrub & dice potatoes according to the amount of people you have. I usually use 5-8 medium potatoes for 3-4 people. Toss potatoes with a tablespoon or so of olive oil. Sprinkle thoroughly with 1+ tsp of Paprika and 1 tsp sea salt. Stir. Cover & bake in oven at 425* for 1 hour or more. Remove cover after half the time. Cook longer for softer potatoes or less for firmer ones.

Taco Potatoes:
Scrub & dice potatoes according to the amount of people you have. I usually use 5-8 medium potatoes for 3-4 people. Toss potatoes with a tablespoon or so of olive oil. Sprinkle thoroughly with 1tsp Cumin powder, 1 tsp Chili Powder or 5-7 whole chili peppers, 1/4 tsp onion powder or 2 Tbsp minced onion, 1 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp Cilantro (optional) and a dash of cyan pepper. Stir until potatoes are evenly covered. Cover & bake in oven at 425* for 1 hour or more. Remove cover after half the time. Cook longer for softer potatoes or less for firmer ones. Serve with a side of sour cream or top with cheddar cheese.

Crispy Chips:
Scrub potatoes and slice as thin as you can. In a fryer or deep skillet/pan place at least 2-3 inches of good cooking oil. Get oil hot enough to where it snaps if you fling water in it but it doesn't smoke. This should be low-medium heat on your burner. Place approx 1/4 cut at a time of the thinly sliced potatoes. Let the fry for 5-10 minutes. This all depends on your desired crispness. I like to blanch mine. Cook them for 5 min, drain and then dip them in the hot oil again. This is how you get a crispy potato without burning it. When potatoes are cooked to your desired crispness, simply salt and eat. You can really mix this up by using a ranch mix, taco mix, chili peppers or create your own. I like to use my own taco seasoning and them dip the chips in sour cream. Sea salt with malted vinegar is my second favorite way!

Cheesy Potatoes Au gratin:
This is so simple that it really seems to easy! Peel potatoes or scrub them well and leave the skin on for added nutrients. Slice thin, but not as thin as the Crispy Chips. Butter a large glass bowl that is oven safe. Grate approx. a pound of cheese. Cheddar works great, but I used a variety of my leftover cheeses for added flavor. Layer the bowl with potatoes then cheese, repeat until all the cheese and potatoes are gone. Pour 1/2 cup to 1 full cup of milk over the potatoes. Cover and cook for 1 hour at 380*. Uncover, stir and cook another hour or so until potatoes are tender and most of liquid has been absorbed. Salt, pepper and serve. I like to add ham chunks or sliced up hot dogs and then use this as a main dish.

Potato Soup:
This is a family favorite at my house. I take approx. 5 pounds of potatoes, peel, rinse and dice. Place in a 6 quart pot with enough water to barely cover the potatoes. Cook until tender. Remove most of the water but not all. You can save the potato water and use for homemade potato bread if you like. Mashed the potatoes and then add 2 quarts of whole milk. Begin to cook over med-high heat. You want it really hot but not boiling. Add 1 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp crushed rosemary, 1 tsp back & white pepper. If you happen to have a can or container of leftover chicken stock (broth) add 1 - 2 cups to the soup for added flavor! In a separate bowl; take 2 eggs and about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of flour and mix the two together. You want a firm and sticky dough. Drop this by small fork fulls into the hot soup. Cover the soup and let cook for 20-30 minutes. Serve with crackers or bread & butter. I like to add meat to my soup sometimes. If I happen to have any leftover ham or sausage, I'll cook it separately and add it to the soup.

Crispy Double Stuffed Potatoes:
Take 4 large potatoes and scrub well. Rub with butter and place on a cookie sheet in the oven at 420* for 45-60 minutes. Remove potatoes and allow to cool enough that you an handle them with your bare hands. Slice the center top of each potato. Give yourself at least 2 inches. Scoop the insides as bast as you can. Try to leave a little potato against the skin so the skin doesn't crumble or break. When you have removed all the insides of the potatoes, begin mashing them in a separate bowl. Add a bit of milk, salt & butter to get a good consistency. You can even add some herbs & spices of your choice and mix in some cheddar cheese. Once the mix is ready, re-stuff your potatoes and place them back in the oven for another 15-20 minutes. This is a perfect side dish for a romantic steak or chicken dinner.

Oven Baked Jo-Jo's:
Scrub approx. 6-8 medium-large potatoes. Quarter the potatoes length ways, then halve them again. In a separate bag or container mix 1 cup of flour, 1 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/4 tsp dried onion powder and a pinch of ground black pepper. Toss the potatoes with a small amount of olive oil. You need just enough to lightly coat the potatoes. Place the potatoes in the flour mixture and cover well. Shake off any heavy or excess flour. Place the potatoes on a single layer on a cookie sheet and bake on the bottom rack at 425* for 20 minutes. Turn over and continue to bake for another 20-30+ minutes. Add more time for crispier potatoes or less time time for a firmer inside. Serve hot with a side of ranch dressing, ketchup or sour cream.

Submit your quick & easy potato recipes & ideas!

Post your recipes in the comment box below.

All our recipes are intended to be used with certified organic ingredients or homegrown goodness

Annual Winter Fest in Loudonville, OH

2011-01-17T16:11:00.000-05:00

I don't make it out of the house much with my MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities). When I do get out of the house I need to be where there is a constant stream of fresh & clean air. Lucky for me, January 14th was the night I could do such a thing.

Loudonville, OH now hosts an annual Winterfest that takes place one weekend in January. This year it was the 14th & 15th. My family & I took the 20 minute drive there around 5pm. I was hoping to catch it in the twilight for photography/lighting reasons. The main park in downtown is where the ice is being carved. We only witnessed one carver while we were there. None the less, the work was beautiful! The park area became a great display for the newly carved chunks of frozen liquid. Only a few were placed there, the rest lined both sides of the street on the main drag.

We dressed warm as the temperature was below freezing. I wore snowmobile bibs under my winter work coat and my husband wore his work bibs under his good coat. The kids wore long-johns underneath their jeans and dressed double warm. Of course I took my trusty camera for the occasion!

Below are most but not all of the sculptures that were displayed along the street sides & in the park on that Friday night. Images are property of Kandice Thompson. View Photography by Kandice on Facebook.

Statue of Liberty

Snoopy on house

Snoopy on house - front view

T Rex

Pearl or Earth in Clam Shell ~ My #1 favorite!

Rams head

Minnie Mouse

Big Rig - front

Big Rig

Myself & my awesome family with the Eiffel Tower (it may be the closest I ever get)

Dog with Times Gazette in his mouth (Ashland News Paper)

Nutcracker

Cross with wings

Tractor ~ one of my favs!

Snowflake ~ My 2nd favorite! I have a thing for snowflakes and their sacred geometrical shapes. :o)

Native in full headdress

Teddy Bear

Mickey Mouse

Chef with Knife & Menu

Mortar & Pedestal ~ My 3rd Favorite!

Trying to get my daughter to pretend to crush herbs for teas with the giant ice mortar & pedestal.

My daughter pretending to be trapped in ice gazebo & licking her way to freedom.

Eagle or Hawk

Tuffy ~ local mascot

A captivating Seahorse

Child reading a Book of Dragons! Love it!

Penguin Skating

Support Local this Holiday Season ~ Give the gift that keeps giving

2010-12-10T14:33:00.000-05:00

When you shop local Mom & Pop places for your holiday gifts, your support is felt around! You not only help support the local folks you just purchased from, but the tax revenue collected and paid also goes back into the community where your items were purchased. If the items you purchased locally were hand made, even better! This means you're supporting U.S.A. and local state made goods! Profits made from your purchases then stay in your community. You can feel proud that you did the right thing by supporting small and independent businesses. You helped the community as a whole. You've made a difference!

We've compiled some local businesses & ideas for the holiday season. Whether you are gift giving, hosting a dinner or attending a party, you'll find something for everyone at the places listed below.

Looking for soy candles in all sorts of festive scents or natural and wonderful hand soaps? Look no further than CCF Naturals. CCF Naturals offers a variety of scented and unscented soy candles in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Prices are very reasonable and candles can make the perfect stocking stuffer! CCF Naturals also has some amazing handmade soaps! Try their oatmeal soap for ultra sensitive skin. If your hands are extra dirty then try the pumice & tea tree soap! CCF Naturals is a home based business and offers an online shop. Delivery arrangements can be made for local folks and anyone else can pick up their order. Please visit CCF Naturals online at: http://www.CcfNaturals.com

If you know of a gal or special someone that loves to bake, make candies and cakes and spend time in the kitchen, then look no further! Hiller's Country Market is the place to be. This little and independently owned market is perfect. Hiller's Country Market offers a nice variety of bulk sugars, flours, candies, chocolates and other goodies. You'll find a freezer full of fresh meat that is free of antibiotics and growth hormones. What ever spice it is you are seeking, there is a chance that you'll find it here. You'll also discover a wide variety of chocolate & candy molds, coatings and flavors! If you need something to decorate a cake, they have that too! Please visit Hiller's Country Market online at: http://www.HillersCountryMarket.com

You can never go wrong with kids & teenagers by giving them the gift of Pizza! Dor-Lo Pizza in Ashland has some of the best bread sticks and thin crust pizza! They've been around for over 30 years! Try a gift certificate for that hard to buy for teenager! This allows them to get pizza for all their friends next time they have a gathering or want to go out after a game. You can visit Dor-Lo Pizza online at: http://www.DorloPizza.com

Gift baskets full of stone baked artisan breads, old fashioned fudge and other sweet treats make the perfect gift for anyone! From Scratch ~ Old World Baked Goods offers a variety of artisan breads, cookies, muffins, biscuits, fudge and more! They even offer entirely free delivery to Ashland city residents! Be the host with the most this holiday season! Bring decadent delights to the dinner table or view their mini loaves and other small treats for stocking stuffers. Gift baskets can be delivered anywhere in Ashland & Wayne county. Visit From Scratch online at the Giving Earth: http://www.GivingEarth.com

Know someone that needs a few repairs done on their vehicle? How about a special paint job from Custom Ohio Auto Body! This place offers extreme professionalism! Over 25 years experience in body restoration, custom paint, fabrication, welding and perfectionism. Custom Ohio Auto Body offers a personal experience. They are willing to work with those who are having financial hardship. Never an unsatisfied client in all the years they have been repairing and customizing vehicles! Visit Custom Ohio Auto Body online at: http://www.CustomOhio.com

Old Fashioned, Friendly Service Delivered to your Doorstep!

2010-11-15T18:21:00.000-05:00

Remember the days when you enjoyed the comforts of being home? Things were simpler way back in the day. The necessities of life were delivered to your doorstep. Alongside the morning news paper were glass quarts full of fresh milk from the local dairy farm. Another delivery truck brought you a large chunk of ice for your freezer or perhaps he unloaded a supply of water to drink. Suburbia and city living brought with it the benefits of spending time with family instead of rushing around and wasting the day. Modern conveniences were brought to your doorstep on a daily basis. A new mom sent the cloth diapers off to be cleaned while the local bakery pulls up and delivers the daily bread or some sweet treats for hubby when he gets home. Where has all of this gone? All we see now are pizza delivery vehicles and brown trucks with packages.

City life has changed into a dog eat dog world. Everyone talking on their cell phones, texting a message to their bff or heading to the store to get supplies for the evening dinner. Some will even stuff their face with processed fast food and provide their family with little to no nutrition. It's sad to see how little family time is valued compared to times past. Even our food has changed with genetic modification, processed ingredients and lower standards from names that once were trusted.

Maybe if we allowed ourselves to get back to the basics life would be a bit more enjoyable. If we placed value on sitting at the dinner table together as a family without cell phones and television, we might open a doorway of communication with our children or spouse. Place the importance of spending time together and making new memories over playing video games and watching sporting events on cable. I'm not saying rid your life of these things, simply set aside a small amount of time each day or less so you can focus on what is really important in life.

Some mom & pop business are striving to bring back the importance of time together as a family. By bringing back some of the old ways of the past with today's new technology, they can provide city folks with the benefits of old & new.

When was the last time you had a loaf of fresh bread delivered to your door? How about a giant 12" cookie with a personal message in frosting or a dozen honey rolls? Or better yet, how about 100% Natural stone baked goodies made with mostly certified organic & local ingredients? From Scratch ~ Old World Baked Goods offers just that to Ashland city residents! Those residing within the city limits of Ashland County, OH receive FREE delivery on Monday & Wednesday evenings from 6pm-7pm. You get the old fashioned delivery & friendly service, with the modern technology of online ordering and viewing!

We encourage you to ask your local grocer, farm, co-op, restaurant, hardware or other business to consider delivering the items you order to your doorstep. Let them know that you appreciate time with your family and how this will allow you the valued time to create more memories and lead a simpler, more enjoyable life.

Know of a business that offers free home delivery to local residents? Tell us about it and we'll do a feature post on our blog!

Discover Ashland by taking Flight!

2010-10-11T12:37:00.000-04:00

This weekend I had the most unique and exciting opportunity. I was invited to join a flight with friends to view the Ashland County area and the beauty of Autumn from the sky. We literally enjoyed a birds eye view as we flew low to enjoy the intense scenery.

Ashland Municipal Airport along with a couple of pilots, offer 'Discovery' flights of the county. You basically rent a small Cessna plane and the pilots service. The plane seats 4 people, including the pilot and rental time is for an hour or so. Our pilot was named Steve and he was very friendly, courteous and well experienced with flying. Steve was kind enough to take requests as to where and what we would like to view from the air.

Upon our arrival at the small airport, we were greeted by several furry friends. There was an over affectionate grayish-blue kitty who adored my lap and company. I also enjoyed the two well behaved and well mannered pooches. The airport was their home and none of the noises or people seemed to phase them. The other pilots and people that gather are friendly too. There was a smile on everyone's face that we met. There certainly wasn't a lack of hello's or thank you's from anyone!

I was fortunate enough to get to sit in the front seat with my trusty camera in hand. This was planned out ahead so I could get beter shots of our the property that we currently rent and use for homesteading. The pilot was nice enough to get in close and bank to the side so I could get a few good shots. They don't do them selves any justice here. Viewing them in high def on a larger scale is amazing!

These flights are quite reasonable on the pocket, all things considered. I had anticipated a larger total for the time, fuel and pilot. We scheduled two flights so all four of us could go up. Our first flight was near 50 minutes and then the second was about a half hour or so. The total bill for both flights, fuel, plane, pilot, etc. was $150. I know $150 sounds like a lot, and it is to me too! But, I have to say this was the most fun I've ever had for $150. If you were to split that between three or four people, then it really doesn't seem expensive at all! Cost is usually $100/hour for the plane and $30 for the pilot. Very reasonable for the priceless memories we created! I do recommend asking for Steve as your pilot if you decide to take a Discovery Flight over Ashland County. We'll be sure to request his service again when we get another change to go back in the air.

There is much to do in Ashland, and this is only one of the many fun ways to view the entire county. Flying over the Mohican area was amazing and seeing some of the local ponds, lakes and other natural summits was quite intriguing. I hope those of you looking for something memorable to do, will keep the Ashland Municipal Airport in mind. Our journey was delightful and the memories we made and shared with friends will last a lifetime.

Thomas & Kandice Thompson

Fundraiser Ideas for your Local School, Community Event or Organization

2010-09-21T12:45:00.000-04:00

We've been giving a lot of thought lately to ways that we could help out the local schools, organizations and community events. Recently I asked around about doughnut sales. You see, when I lived here (in Ashland county) as a kid, one of the local schools would hold an annual doughnut sale. Much of the proceeds went directly to the school. We were saddened to hear that our local school district no longer offered their homemade doughnuts, but on occasion they sell Krispy Kreams. Of course the doughnuts just aren't the same!

We've decided to offer the fundraiser opportunities with some of our goodies. To keep it simple and affordable for everyone, we've compiled a list of items & prices that would be offered for fundraiser opportunities.

We will provide order forms, collection envelopes and brochures. Students/parents will be responsible for collecting the amount due and turning it in with their order. A specific delivery date will be agreed upon with the school or event prior to the sale.

This is a great way to raise funds for your school, community activities or organization! Plus, you get the benefits of eating food that is wholesome, free of artificial ingredients, 100% all natural and you're supporting a small business within your community.

To ensure proper freshness and a reasonable delivery date, we can only allow up to two grades to participate in the fundraiser at a time (example: 7th & 8th graders or 2nd & 3rd graders).

Cinnamon Roll Sales:
School/Event gets 25% of the gross sales. Cinnamon rolls will be priced at $2.50/naked & $2.75/Frosted for individually wrapped rolls or container of 6 Naked for $14.00 or 6 frosted for $15.00. Frosting choices will be Vanilla or Maple.

Cookie Sales:
School/Event gets 25% of the gross sales. Our ample sized and delicious cookies will be sold individually at $1.00 each or a bag of 1/2 a dozen for $5.50. Cookies come in your choice of Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip or Buckeye.

Holiday Bread Sales:
School/Event gets 20% of the gross sales. Students are given a brochure the features some of our best selling artisan breads. Folks will be able to choose from items such as; our Pinwheel dessert bread, our giant 2 pound loaf of Pizza Bread, the always in demand Old World Italian, French and Foccacia breads.

Interested in using our baked goods for your next fundraiser? Contact Kandice Thompson via phone or email. Phone: 419.908.9533 Email: kandice@givingearth.com Visit us online at anytime! http://www.GivingEarth.com/

Sunny Autumn Days & Crisp Fall Nights

2010-09-20T15:37:00.000-04:00

image by Kandice Thompson

The seasons are changing and Autumn is upon us. There is much to do in Ashland and the neighboring villages. The two middle weeks of October usually offer us the best views of the changing leaves and landscape. It's a time of harvest, gathering and abundance. We are thankful for the farmers that work the fields and the homesteaders that provide us with knowledge on storage and preserving.

Some local families and farms are setting up and preparing their pumpkin patch for the community to enjoy. Many of these places offer a variety of family fun for a small amount of monetary funds. You'll often find hayrides and corn mazes for all ages, straw bales and gourds in every shape and size and always some over friendly farm animals that want your undivided attention. The smell of hot apple cider and cinnamon fill the air and some of the local ladies or bakeries have made pumpkin cookies and cake.

This is the season that we don't usually rush and give so much fuss. We spend time around fires and gathering with friends. We find ourselves giving thanks for the good times and memories we are creating. Fall brings a profound respect for nature. We gaze in awe at the colors changing, the pumpkins galore, the final harvest of our gardens. We say goodbye to summer and know the cold days of winter will soon be upon us. And so we reflect on the year that has gone by so quick.

Autumn offers us many opportunities to keep us entertained. With the cool nights usually comes clear skies, with clear skies comes a better view of the stars and moon. There are many celestial events that take place in fall. One big event being the Leonid Meteor Showers in mid November. The Leonid showers are some of the best shooting stars to see. Gathering your blankets and hot chocolate and make a special night with your family. Try some moon viewing as well. October offers a beautiful full moon, the harvest moon. Locate as many planets as you can with your naked eye, then try it again with binoculars or a telescope.

Below is a list I have compiled of things that I would recommend doing this fall. Some events are free, while others can be costly, depending on size, time or style of event.

~ Local Hay Rides, Pumpkin Patches & Family Fun ~

Badger's Great Pumpkin Patch - 9122 North Elyria Rd., West Salem - 419 846-3818; open through October; daily from 8am to dusk; offers hayrides, pumpkins, a petting zoo, a straw maze and much more. Local and seasonal vendors on weekends. Good good & fun! **You can find From Scratch ~ Old World Baked Goods there on the weekends, starting in October.

Ramseyer Farms - 3488 Akron Rd., Wooster; 330 264-0264; offers tractor-driven hayrides, a pumpkin patch, straw and corn mazes, a child-size hay bale maze, pre-picked produce, and a refreshment stand; Open September and October; Tuesday - Friday: 4pm - 7pm, Saturdays: 11am - 7pm, Sundays (in October only): 1pm - 5pm

Honey Haven Farm - pumpkins, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, corn maze, haunted corn maze, child-sized haybale maze, corn cannon, horse-drawn hay rides, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, picnic area, face painting, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours 1327 County Road 1475, Ashland, OH 44805. Phone: 419-289-3384 Crops are usually available in September, October. Open: Haunted Maze, Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 pm - 11:30 pm, October 5-27; All other fall events, Saturdays and Sundays, Noon - 6pm, September 29 - October 28 Open weekends, September 29 - October 28

Scenic Ridge Fruit Farm - Apples, corn (sweet), grapes, peaches, pumpkins, tomatoes, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, straw or hay bale maze, prepicked produce, gift shop, tractor-pulled hay rides, petting zoo 2031 State Route 89, Jeromesville, OH 44840. Phone: 419-368-3353. Open: June - October: Monday - Saturday 9 am - 5 pm

Bauman Orchards - Pick-your-own apples, child-sized haybale maze, wagon rides, Honey from hives on the farm, Maple Syrup from trees on the farm, apple cider, produce for sale, parking provide free, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, petting zoo 161 Rittman Avenue, Rittman, OH 44270. Phone: 330-925-6861. Open: Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm Saturday 8am to 5pm closed Sunday.

Gale J Farm - pumpkins, Pick-your-own apples, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, train rides, corn maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours 4991 Columbus Rd, Wooster, OH 44691. Phone: 330-262-0727. Open: Monday thru Friday 4 pm to 7 pm; Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 7 pm. Flashlight nights in the corn maze October 24 and 25.

If you know of a local pumpkin patch or farm that offers pumpkins, hay rides and seasonal fun, please feel free to list it here, or send me the details and I will edit this post. :-)

~ Free Fun ~

There is much to do that is free or close to.

Check your local newspaper for Trick or Treat times at the end of October. Go ahead and dress up with your kids or grandkids. It makes it more fun for everyone!

Pack a picnic and visit a nice & quiet cemetery along the country side. You'll often find that a cemetery is quiet, peaceful place that makes for a humbling experience. Some of the old cemeteries offer unique statues and artistic stones.

Take a country drive during the late afternoon and find a cozy spot to view the sunset. A drive through the country to view the beautiful changing colors of the leaves can be quite romantic. Pack a blanket, hot chocolate or tea and some sweet treats for you and your love. Often you'll find pull off areas on back roads that are along rivers or near a nature preserve. A nature preserve will sometimes offer a viewing deck or a small spot to pull your car over to marvel at the beauty. These are perfect little areas to sit and cuddle with a blanket, sip your hot chocolate and enjoy the sounds and beauty of nature, while being accompanied by that special someone.

Many counties in Ohio have their tall tales or real events that bring fourth the haunting of buildings, forests and old places. Ohio has many areas that are considered haunted and have been written about in decades past. There are even several local places, right here in Ashland & Mansfield that are known to be haunted and visited frequently by those not of this world. Take a night drive by some of these spooky landmarks or make reservations or with a grounds keeper of a property to stay the night in some haunted woods.

Many Farmers Markets are open through mid October. Bring your kids by and let them see the colorful gourds, pumpkins and styles of corns. You can make simple crafts out of many fall items that are safe and biodegradable.

Local Women and their Businesses

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You wont find local made goodies and sweets and your neighborhood Walmart. That's not saying you can't find such wonderful homemade things like naturally scented soy candles, farm fresh eggs, naturally raised meat, wheat free granola, artisan breads & other sweet treats around Ashland, OH. You may not be looking in the right places.

Many folks operate a small cottage farm industry out of their home. This enables them to produce non-temperature controlled items that can be sold anywhere in the state of Ohio. We've gathered a list of three local women that do such a thing.

Patty Brant of Ashland, OH spends her spare time with her animals on her farm. Patty is a fellow homesteader and naturally raises a variety of meats, including beef and poultry. All her meat is naturally raised and antibiotic free. You'll never find any synthetic hormones used on her farm! Patty will even allow you to come in and see the animals and interact with them. When Patty isn't working her part time job or running the farm, you can often find her in the kitchen making homemade soaps and soy candles. She offers her line of soaps and candles to the public. Her Tea-Tree soap with pumice is great for those hard worked hands! As someone who suffers from artificial scented items, I am delighted that Patty offers a full line of unscented soy candles in tea lights, votives and jars! If you would like more info on naturally raised meat, please click here to visit Cozy Corners Farm on Facebook. Patty also has a website for her soaps and soy candles. You can visit her website at: http://www.ccfnaturals.com/

Teresa Humrichouser from the Ashland, Ohio area is creator of Crazy Monkey Baking’s Granola Cookie Crunch. One of our personal favorite treats when we shop the local farmers market! Before graduating from Ohio University with bachelor’s degrees in nutrition and food service management, Teresa decided that if she was going to be happy with a career, it would have to involve baking. A pure student of baking, Teresa has taken numerous baking classes, worked in retail artisan bakeries, and spends a majority of her time perfecting her formulas in her home kitchen. Upon arrival of her second child, Teresa challenged herself to make an enjoyable snack for the family that didn’t contain all of the sins of modern baking (partially hydrogenated fats, high fructose corn syrup, food dyes, preservatives, etc.) Teresa started with an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe, and over the next few months it evolved into what is known today as Crazy Monkey Baking Granola Cookie Crunch. You can visit Teresa and her website at: http://www.crazymonkeybaking.com

Kandice Thompson of Polk, OH bakes and operates the 'From Scratch ~ Old World Baked Goods' website and business. All items are made entirely from scratch and contain no artificial ingredients, no trans fat, no high fructose corn syrup, no growth hormones and no gmo's (genetically modified or engineered ingredients). Kandice offers a variety of stone baked artisan breads, cookies and sweet treats from old world recipes. Her Pinwheel bread with cinnamon and sugar is so popular at the Ashland farmers market, that is sells out at every show. Kandice, a fellow homesteaders and environmental activist stays home and rarely leaves. She suffers severely from MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities) and therefore can not be around or tolerate any chemicals, perfumes, fabric softeners or other scented items. Because of this, she is limited to being in the public. Thankfully her loving husband and daughter run the booth at the local farmers market for her. Being at home and still being able to do one of her life passions is what keeps Kandice going. When she is not in the kitchen, you can often find her in one of her organic gardens, herb beds, hiking in the woods or shooting some freelance images with her camera. Kandice has also had the privilege of being Internationally & Nationally nominated or some of her freelance photography images. Kandice has been operating the Giving Earth website for several years now. She has combined all her life passions on one site that is also dedicated to bringing a community together. To see Kandice's artwork, photography and to view or shop for her incredible breads and sweet treats, please visit her website: http://www.givingearth.com

If you know of another gal that you feel should be featured on the Good Food & Earth Blog, feel free to contact us or leave a comment all about that special lady and her business.

Ashland's Original Farm Market

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One of the biggest & best Farmer's Market in Ashland county is held every Saturday morning at the Christ United Methodist Church parking lot. Located at 1140 Claremont Ave. Ashland, OH 44805 (across from Little Caesar's Pizza). The official time of the Farmer's Market is from 9am-11am. Most of the vendors are set up and already selling at 7am. There are also several vendors that come close to or actually sell out before 9am.

You'll find a variety of vendors (including us) with everything from seasonal and fresh produce, artisan breads, Amish baked goods, local honey and hand carved wood walking sticks, to natural soaps, candles, baskets and so much more! Make sure to mark your calendars as this market comes to the seasonal end in the middle of October.

Know a local Farm Market that you'd like to share? Leave a comment with the dates/time/place. Share your favorite memories and experiences about your trip to your local market. :-)

Ashland County in Ohio has Beautiful Country Scenery

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One of my favorite things about Ashland, Ohio is the simplicity of driving around the county to view the scenery. Many of us take for granted the beauty of the quiet country roads and their inhabitants. I'm one of those inhabitants and this is a picture from our side yard. Amish folk are a regular around here and we love it. As fellow homesteaders, we have some common ground with them and enjoy sharing stories and tips from our cultures and lifestyle.

Next time your family is looking for some good old fashioned fun, pack a picnic and hit the roads. Remember to be cautions of buggies and crossing animals. You'll find lots of Amish homes that offer fresh produce, baked goods and canned items from dawn til dusk. Please keep in mind that the Amish do not offer Sunday sales.

Make a fun afternoon with your family. Take bags with moist towels in the event you find some pick-able flowers or a bucket for berries. You'll find many creatures throughout the fields and road side. From pheasants and quail to white tailed dear and wild turkeys, you just never know what amazing beauty you might see. Soon the trees will begin to change their color and the beauty will be abound. Enjoy this simplicity and make memories with your children and grandchildren. Make a day free from cell phones and mp3's and of car dvd's and personal game pads. Enjoy the sounds of nature, the songs of the birds and the rustling of the leaves in the trees.

Be respectful to nature and only take what you can and give thanks for what is offered. While you are out in about please do no harm to the environment. Tread lightly and respect the boundaries and privacy of others. Take a camera and scrapbook your day. Consider reading up on certain wild animals, flowers and bugs and then see if you can have a scavenger hunt with your family. It's fun and best of all... it's free!

Take our Survey & Enter the Give-A-Way!

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Your opinion is very important to us at From Scratch ~ Old World Baked Goods! In fact, it's so important that we need your help! We've created a simple and short survey, a mere 10 questions. The questions are regarding new and seasonal items and other interesting features that we may be bringing to the kitchen table and our website!

We are very excited and we hope that you will help us decide what new items and tastes to bring out this Fall & Winter! All you have to do to help is visit the link below and fill out the survey. Here is the really cool part of all of this... Those that fill out the survey and leave a comment on our blog about an idea or item on the survey, will be entered in a Give-A-Way to receive $10. worth of FREE fresh baked goodies! **as an Ohio Cottage Farm Industry, our items can only be sold in the state of Ohio.

Click Here: Take the From Scratch ~ Old World Baked Goods Survey

Thank you and good luck to everyone!

Kandice

Issue #1: Quick & Easy Recipes

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*Cheesy Bread*
Use our Pizza Bread and cut into slices. Butter one side and place cheese on the bread. Provolone works best, but you can use your own blend of all sorts of cheeses. Once one side of the bread has been buttered and topped with cheese, place under the broiler in your oven for 3 to 5 minutes (or until edges are golden brown with a bit of a crisp). Serve with marinara sauce or ranch dressing. This is a perfect addition to Pizza or Spaghetti! Works well when done over a wood grill too!

*Tim's French Toast*
My brother-in-law Tim told me about this one! It's a favorite in their household! Take day or two old Pinwheel Bread (if a loaf lasts that long) and slice it thick. In a small bowl combine one egg and a approx. a tablespoon of milk. Preheat frying pan to med, med-high. Coat both sides of bread and cook like you would French Toast. Serve with or without syrup.

*French Bread Pizza*
Take a loaf of our Old World Italian bread and slice down the center to open the bread. Use your own favorite sauce recipe or try an alfredo sauce for your base. Top with cheese and your choice of pizza toppings. Place under the broiler for 5 to 7 minutes. The edges should get nice and dark. Try this with all sorts of hot subs for your family!

*Kandice's Bruchetta*
You'll need approx. 3 to 4 decent sized tomatoes. Core and squeeze out any excess juice (save your juice for chili or tomato soup). Dice the tomatoes into tiny chunks. Mince approx. 3 tablespoons worth of sweet onion and mix with the tomatoes. Add 1 teaspoon of sea salt, 1 tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar and 1 tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive oil and a pinch of good quality black pepper. Use only fresh Parmesan cheese and either chunk it in small pieces or use a cheese nice and have long thin pieces that curl. Do this with a little over 1/4 cup and gently add it to the remaining mixture. Let mixture sit in the fridge for a few hours for best results. Top this over our Herbed Focaccia Bread for the perfect appetizer! It's a favorite of all my family & friends!

*Herbed Croutons*
Take a loaf of our Focaccia Bread that is a couple days old. Slice it into chunks and place on a drying/cooling rack for a few hours. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil with a pinch of salt, black pepper and garlic powder. Cook it till it begins to lightly bubble and then remove from heat. Place dried croutons on a bakingstone or cookie sheet. Using a baster brush, coat the croutons with the oil mixture on one side. Place under broiler for 5-7 minutes. Remove from the oven, baste the other side and repeat the process. Allow to bake until you reach your own desired crispness.

Visit our website at http://www.GivingEarth.com/

You can order at anytime. All orders require up to 24 hours from the time they are placed, until they are ready for pick up or delivery.

~ Join us every Saturday morning (through mid October) from 7am-11am at the Ashland Farmers Market. Located in the parking lot of the Christ United Methodist Church (across from Movie Gallery). Any orders placed online or via phone can opt to be picked up at the Saturday Market. Don't forget to bring your Customer Appreciation Card! ~