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Behind the Barn with Farmer John

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First, I want to thank all who entered the three contests ... there were hundreds of you and I hope you all enjoyed and had fun. I will try to have more contests in 2010 ... for more fun and more winners. OK -- word winner from getting the most words from Happiness is L Bailey of New Concord with 248 but I had a drawing from the next top 10 and R Miller of Millersburg and R Bonar of Caldwell will get a consolation prize though there were many great recipes ...12 stood out and the two drawn were C Crockrell of Fostoria and R Rabatin of Millersburg, and contest 3 so many were so close to the same idea I put them in my leather hat and drew two to share the prize ... they were N Mast of Baltic and Mrs. C Hall of Freeport ... all of your prizes are in the mail ... please let me know if you don't get them. Congratulations to all the winners.

*****

Dear Farmer John, Can an African violet be put in an east window? My south windows have no ledges to place plants. Thank you for any help. JH, Fostoria

Dear JH, An African violet is much more diverse as far as light as some may think. Actually, a south window may be too much sunlight and may even keep some types from even blooming. I had an aunt that kept hers in an east window and had beautiful violets that seemed to be always blooming. A friend keeps her in a west window and says she has great luck, but she starts them in a south or east window. So the care of now over watering, the care of not getting leaves wet when watering and a little fertilizer like Miracle Gro may outweigh the direction of the window. Good luck.

*****

Dear Farmer John, When one puts in a strawberry pyramid, how much space should I allow on each level? Love your column. N of Cambridge

Dear N, I assume you are speaking about the round beds that have several layers building up to a top level of 12-24 inches in diameter.

Some suggest 10-12 inches space for each layer, but I have seen and had the best luck with 6-8 inches of space. You don't want too much or you are forever weeding, etc., but you want enough to start new plants.

*****

Dear Farmer John, I want to make hiking sticks for the family, what trees make the best sticks? Where can I get those rubber tips? ST, Alliance

Dear ST, Softwood makes light sticks, hardwood heavier but I like a heavy stick for hiking. I don't use rubber tips on mine so I have never ordered any.

We will see if any readers know where to get those. I would make a few and let family members choose their favorite. Be sure to give each several coats of polyurethane or similar protective covering. Also there are several rubber dips that you can find at most hardware stores that are used for tool handles and you might find that better than the rubber tips.

Good hiking ... and it is normally great for exercise and better health as long as your doctor says it is ok. Almost everyone suggests a doctors visit before starting or changing your exercise plan.

*****

Goodies from readers

From CG of Millersburg -- Spaghetti Sauce: 1 quart tomato juice, 1 can mushrooms, 1 chopped green pepper, 1 chopped onion, 1 pound hamburg, 1/2 pound sausage, 2 packages dry spaghetti sauce mix, 1 can mushroom soup, 1 can tomato paste; brown hamburg, sausage, onion and green pepper, until cooked, add other ingredients, put in crock pot and cook all day. Hint: I also add 1 quart or jar of spaghetti sauce or pizza sauce, makes it go further and gives it a better flavor ... I put in jars and container and freeze ... so good.

Ms KR of Shreve writes I read your column every week. Enjoy it very much. Lots of helpful people out there. I saved these seeds from work this summer. Just found them again. Love your recycling tips. Notice my stationary? It is the bottom part of my prescription info.

Also old envelopes and inserts from magazines, they are heavier stock. I reuse empty dog food bags to put food scraps in trash. Most goes into the compost. And they don't leak or tear. Looking forward to your next column.

Merry Christmas and God Bless you. Grand kids make me smile all 13 of them. (Dear K, thank you so much for sharing, the readers and I appreciate you too. Have a wonderful New Year! FJ)

LM of Baltic -- Help me to be the person God wants me to be and I will be happy ...

PA of Sugarcreek had surgery recently and her friends and neighbors brought in meals till she got better ... a warm gesture she and her husband appreciated a lot.

CV of Toledo is happy and smiling when her husband takes her to dinner and a movie, and she gets a night off from the children, cooking and the cleaning up, when her children or hubby gives her a present and its not her birthday or anniversary, and when her husband offers to watch the children while she goes out with her girl friends.

WR of Millersburg sent this recipe -- Carmel Rice Krispies Treats: Butter, 8 cups rice krispies, 1 cup eagle brand milk, 8 cups marshmallows, 48 caramels (1 bag). For first layer, melt 8 cups marshmallows and 1 stick butter, add 8 cups rice Krispies and put in greased 9x13 pan. For second layer, melt caramels and 1 stick of butter stirring constantly, let cool and pour over rice krispies.

Cashew brittle -- from MM of Millersburg: 1 cup cashews, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup butter, cook together and stir all the time till cashews are golden brown, pour out on a greased pan ... good eating ... be sure to cook long enough or will get sugary and greasy ....

Oreo Pudding from scratch ... 4 cups milk, heat to boiling ... mix 2 beaten eggs, 1/2 cup thermo flo or clear jel, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, 2/3 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup milk, stir in milk and stir using a whip, till it boils.

Add 8 ounces cream cheese while hot and stir till melted. Add 3 cups whipped topping when cold, crush your oreos ... good dessert and not too rich, can use cheaper cookie.

Tip: Just put your pudding mix in a tupperware and wait to fix till ready to eat so cookies don't soak so ... put cookies on bottom and top of pan ...

Have a great week and if you need help, have a question, tip or great recipe for the new year to share ... write me at: Farmer John, P.O. Box 234, Groveport, OH 43125.