Washing Machine:

Among front-loading machines, experts favor the Kenmore Elite HE4t, which, at about $1,400 for the basic model, is more expensive than even the fanciest top-loading washers. Reviews say, however, that it's also better. The front-loading HE4t washer breaks new ground in efficiency, using one-third the amount of water as a conventional washer, with a 3.8-cubic-foot capacity, among the largest on the market (with the possible exception of the new and not-yet-tested Kenmore Oasis HE). Reviews say the Kenmore HE4t has great water extraction, so clothes take less time to dry. Its 12 cycles include delicates, jeans, a "whitest-white" cycle that includes the automatic addition of bleach, an express cycle, and a sanitary setting, which heats water to 160 degrees. That's hot enough to kill dust mites in bedding. The Kenmore HE4t washer does all this while keeping energy consumption low.

Subscription:

Feather Fancier Newspaper.

Poultry Housing

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/poultry/factsheets/10.html

Woodburning Masonry Heaters and Bakeovens

I have always been curious about woodburning masonry heaters and bakeovens, because there's a long tradition of baking and heating homes this way in Finland.

Years ago, one spring-break while I was in university, I traveled to Finland to visit some of my relatives. One Saturday morning, I remember in that half dream state between sleep and waking, listening to the voices of my great-aunt Elli and my aunt Martta, chattering as they started baking. I had not realized how similar Aunt Martta's voice and inflections were to my own mother's, until in that dozy-dumb state, I confusedly wondered how I could be hearing my mother's voice if I was thousands of miles away in Finland, while she was in Canada... When I finally roused, I realized I was missing out on some fun! The baking went quickly, and soon the house was full of the wonderful smell of baking in a woodburning masonry stove.

My mother had told me stories about reading in the nook behind the masonry stove when she was a child, because it was cozy and warm there. I have had some experience with using a woodburning stove to heat my home, but I had to do some research before I could understand how my mother could have cuddled up to the stove to read, without getting burned!

My son laughed at me and called me an old hippie when I described some of the wonderful woodburning masonry ovens and heaters I found illustrated in the sites below. One of my friends thinks I was born in the wrong century! I don't think so! What could be better than having so many tried and true traditional methods to choose from, with developing technologies that are improving on things all the time?

http://heatkit.com/html/bakeoven.htm

http://www.tulikivi.com/index.html

Spring Flowering Bulbs, for my orchard:

Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, created by Vita Sackville-West & Harold Nicolson in the 1930's, is one of my favorites --I have many favorites ;) !! Drawing inspiration from the Orchard and the Lime Walk there, I have created my own wish list for my orchard, featuring spring flowering bulbs.

ANEMONE blanda, April-May bloom, mixed colours: deep blue, light blue, pink, cerise, white, 3-4" Zone 5

CAMASSIA leichtlinii 'Alba', May bloom, spire of white flowers, 4' Zone 4

CAMASSIA 'Blue Melody', May-June bloom, violet blue flowers, variegated foliage,24-36" Zone 4

CHIONODOXA 'Blue Giant', April bloom, porcelain blue starry flowers with white centres, 4-10" Zone 3-8

CHIONODOXA 'Pink Giant', April bloom, pink starry flowers with white centres, 4-10" Zone 3-8

CHIONODOXA 'Sardensis', April bloom, gentian blue with white centre, 4-10" Zone 3-8

CROCUS Ancyrensis, April bloom, golden yellow, 3-6" Zone 4

CROCUS chrysanthus 'Blue Pearl', April bloom, blue, 3-6" Zone 4

CROCUS chrysanthus 'Cream Beauty', April bloom, creamy yellow, fragrant, 3-6" Zone 4

CROCUS chrysanthus 'Romance', April bloom, creamy yellow with dark markings on throat, 3-6" Zone 4

CROCUS flavus, April bloom, golden yellow, 3-6" Zone 4

CROCUS fleischeri, April bloom, pointed white petals, orange stigmata, fragrant, 2" Zone 4

CROCUS minimus, April bloom, pale lilac inner petals, white outer with purple flame outer petals, 3-6" Zone 4

CROCUS sieberii 'Bowles White', April bloom, white with deep orange throat, 3-6" Zone 4

CROCUS sieberii 'Firefly', April bloom, pale violet with yellow centre, 4-5" Zone 4

CROCUS tomasinianus 'Roseus', April bloom, cyclamen pink outer frosty pale pink outer, 4-6" Zone 4

CROCUS tomasinianus 'Ruby Giant', April bloom, purple, 3-6" Zone 4

CROCUS vernus 'Flower Record', April bloom, deep purple, 3-6" Zone 4

CROCUS vernus 'Joan of Arc', April bloom, white, 3-6" Zone 4

CROCUS vernus 'Pickwick', April bloom, violet feathering on white background, 3-6" Zone 4

CROCUS vernus 'Queen of the Blues', April bloom, pale lavender, 3-6" Zone 4

CROCUS vernus 'Vanguard', April bloom, pale blue with pearly grey exterior, 3-6" Zone 4

ERAHTHUS cillicica, April bloom, yellow buttercup like flowers, 3-4" Zone 4-8

FRITILLARIA Pallidiflora, April bloom, large yellow bells, 12" Zone 4

FRITILLARIA Raddeana, April bloom, pendant pale yellow bells, 20" Zone 4

FRITILLARIA crassifolia ssp. 'Kurdica', April bloom, greenish-yellow bells, speckled interior, 10" Zone 4

FRITILLARIA hermonsis ssp. 'Amana', April bloom, green bell, petals edged with purple, 12" Zone 5

FRITILLARIA imperialis 'Kroon Op Kroon', May bloom, bright orange cluster of bells, 2'6" Zone 4

FRITILLARIA imperialis 'Lutea Maxima', May bloom, lemon yellow, 3' Zone 4

FRITILLARIA imperialis 'Striped Beauty', May bloom, yellow bells striped orange, 3' Zone 5

FRITILLARIA meleagris, mixed, May bloom, nodding bells, checkered in shades of green, white and burgundy, 10-15" Zone 4

GALANTHUS nivalis, Snowdrops, April bloom, 6" Zone 3

GALANTHUS nivalis 'Flore Pleno', Double Snowdrops, April bloom, 4" Zone 3

LEUCOJUM aestivum 'Gravetye Giant', May bloom, white lily-of-the-valley-like bells, fragrant, 3' Zone 3

MUSCARI armeniacum, April bloom, cobalt-blue, 3-8" Zone 3

MUSCARI azureum, April bloom, sky blue, 4" Zone 3

MUSCARI 'Valerie Finnis', April bloom, ice blue, 3-8" Zone 3

MUSCARI botryoides 'Album', April bloom, brilliant white, fragrant, 3-8" Zone 3

MUSCARI botryoides 'Superstar', pale blue edged with ice blue, with ice blue 'cornet', 3-8" Zone 3

NARCISSUS 'Apricot Lace', Mid-spring bloom, white petals, split and frilled apricot cup, 12-16" Zone 3

NARCISSUS 'Avalanche' (triandrus), April bloom, white petals, butter-yellow cups, fragrant, 16" Zone 4

NARCISSUS 'Golden Bells', April-May bloom, 10" Zone 3

NARCISSUS 'Jetfire', Mar-April bloom, yellow petals, orange trumpet, 10" Zone 3

NARCISSUS 'Mint Julep', Mar-May bloom,greenish-yellow petals, yellow cup, deep green eye, 16" Zone 3

NARCISSUS 'Mount Hood', Mar-May bloom, ivory-yellow matures to white, 14" Zone 3

NARCISSUS 'Orange Progress', Mar-May bloom, lemon yellow trumpet matures to bright orange, 16" Zone 3

NARCISSUS recurvus (Poet's daffodil), Mar-May bloom, white petals, yellow cup rimmed with bright orange, green eye, 16" Zone 3

NARCISSUS 'Rip Van Winkle', Mar-April bloom, spiky yellow, 10" Zone 3

NARCISSUS 'Sidley', Mar-May bloom, white with small pale yellow cup, green eye, 16" Zone 3

NARCISSUS ' Spellbinder', Mar-May bloom, lemon-yellow trumpet matures to white with yellow rim, 14" Zone 3

NARCISSUS 'Tete-a-Tete', March blooms, dainty yellow with slightly recurved petals, 6" Zone 3

NARCISSUS 'Toto', April-May bloom, white, 6-8" Zone 3

NARCISSUS 'Trepolo', Mid-spring bloom, white petals, bring yellow-orange split cup, 16-18" Zone 3

TULIPS, Early Season, 'Arma', cardinal red, petals slightly fringed, 1' Zone 3

TULIPS, Early Season, 'White Emperor', 18" Zone 3

TULIPS, Early Season, 'Candy Prince', rose-pink, silvery sheen with maturity, 15" Zone 3

TULIPS, Early Season, 'Sweetheart', pale yellow with creamy white edging, 15" Zone 3

TULIPS, Mid-Season, (Triumph) 'Barcelona', fuchsia-pruple edged with magenta, 24" Zone 3

TULIPS, Mid-Season, (Triumph) 'Princess Irene', orange, pale purple flame, fragrant, 14" Zone 3

TULIPS, Mid-Season, (Darwin) 'Marit', orange-yellow with pink blush, 20", Zone 3

TULIPS, Mid-Season, (Darwin) 'Ivory Floradale', ivory white with yellow flame, 24" Zone 3

TULIPS, Late Season, 'Dreamland', dark rose with creamy white base, 24" Zone 3

TULIPS, Late Season, 'Queen of Night', purple-black, 24" Zone 3

TULIPS, Late Season, 'Orange Princess', a double bloom, orange flushed with red on the outside, marigold, flushed with maroon on the inside, 14" Zone 3

TULIPS, Late Season, 'Maureen', white, 20 ", Zone 3

PERENNIALS I WANT:
(perhaps for the beds by the greenhouse, new addition and patio)

ACONITUM lycoctonum, Summer bloom, Northern Monkshood, 50-150cm Zone: 3

ADENOPHORA bulleyana, Mid to Late Summer bloom, Lady bells, 60-90cm Zone: 3

ADENOPHORA triphylla, Late Summer bloom, Lady bells with a rounder cup-like bloom,
30-50cm Zone: 3

ADLUMNIA fungosa, Summer to Fall bloom, Allegheny Vine, biennial, 4m Zone: 3

AGASTACHE foeniculum 'aurea', Late Summer, Blue Hyssop, 60-90cm Zone: 2

ALCEA kurdica, Summer to Fall bloom, pale yellow hollyhock from Turkey, 180cm Zone: 3

ALCEA rosea 'Fringed Petticoat', Late Summer bloom, fringed pink to rosey-red, 1.5-3m Zone: 2

ALCEA rosea mix, Summer bloom, old-fashioned biennial hollyhock, 1.5-3m Zone: 2

ALLIUM aflatunense, Early Summer bloom, ornamental onion with large globes of deep purple atop long sturdy stems, 90cm Zone: 3

ALLIUM carinatum ssp. pulchellum, Late Summer bloom, ornamental onion with arching umbrels of dangling carmine bells, 60cm Zone: 4

ALLIUM cernuum (Deep Pink), Summer bloom, Wild Nodding Onion, 30cm Zone: 2

ALLIUM christophii, Summer bloom, Star of Persia, 40cm Zone: 3

ANEMONE tomentosa 'Robustissima', Fall bloom, Japanese Anemone, 1.2m Zone: 3

AQUILEGIA canadensis, Summer bloom, scarlet and yellow flowers, Canadian or Wild Columbine, 15-30cm Zone: 2

AQUILEGIA vulgaris 'rosea' , Early Summer bloom, pink Granny's Bonnet, 30-60cm Zone: 3

AQUILEGIA vulgaris (Nora Barlow), Early Summer bloom, heavily double pink/white/green,
to 60cm Zone: 2

ASTER novae-angliae, Autumn bloom, New England Aster, 90-1.75m Zone: 3

ASTRANTIA major, Summer bloom, Great Masterwort, 60cm Zone: 4

CARDIOCRINUM cordatum var. glehnii, Late Summer bloom, 100cm Zone: 4

CEPHALARIA gigantea, Summer bloom, scabiosa-like pale yellow flowers, 180cm Zone: 3

CHELONE glabra, Late Summer bloom, White Turtlehead, 60-180cm Zone: 3

CHELONE lyonii, Late Summer bloom, Pink Turtle Head, 90cm Zone: 4

CIMICIFUGA racemosa, Late Summer bloom, Black Snakeroot, 90-240cm Zone: 3

DIGITALIS davisiana, New Summer bloom, digitalis, soft yellow flowers netted orange-gold inside 1.5m Zone: 4

DIGITALIS grandiflora Early Summer bloom, Greek perennial, Yellow foxglove 60-75cm Zone: 3

DIOSCOREA japonica, Summer bloom, twining climber with panicles of white flowers, papery seed pods, Hardy Yam Zone: 4

GALTONIA candicans, Mid to Late Summer bloom, strap-like foliage, white bell shaped flowers, 80-125cm Zone: 4

GERANIUM palustris, All Summer bloom, deep pink geranium, 40-60cm Zone: 2

GERANIUM pratense, Late Spring to Summer bloom, blue geranium, Meadow Cranesbil,l 60-90cm Zone: 2

GERANIUM yoshinoi, Late Summer to Late Fall bloom, spreading plant with small pink flowers, geranium, 15-30cm Zone: 4

HEUCHERA americana 'Dale's Strain' Summer bloom, silver, bronze, pewter, pink, purple foliage, white flowers, 60cm Zone: 3

HEUCHERA cylindrica 'Greenfinch', Summer bloom, green foliage, green flowers, 60-90cm Zone: 3

LILIUM formosanum, Late Summer bloom, fragrant, white bloom, Formosa Lily, 1.5m Zone: 5/6

LILIUM martagon, Summer bloom, Martagon Lily, Turk's Cap, nodding spotted pink bloom, 90-120cm Zone: 2

LILIUM monadelphum, Early Summer bloom, soft yellow with red spotted trumpets, 50-120cm Zone: 3

PAEONIA mlokosewitschii, Spring bloom, Golden Peony, 75cm Zone: 4

PULSATILLA vulgaris colour mix, Late Spring bloom, Pasque Flower, 30cm Zone: 2

THALICTRUM diptherocarpum (delavayi), Late Summer bloom, rose-violet flowers with creamy stamens, Meadow Rue, to 150cm Zone: 4

VERBENA bonariensis, Late Summer to Fall, airy stems with deep purple flowers, Brazilian Verbena 90cm Zone: 6

KITCHEN STUFF I WANT:

Bosch Universal with Blender[MUM 6622]
MUM 6622 Universal Series Kitchen Machine 700 watt motor out-performs other small kitchen appliances. Large 6 quart plastic mixing bowl kneads up to 12 pounds of dough. Unbreakable 6 cup capacity blender. Overload and restart motor protection. Durable, convenient and versatile. Special accessories eliminate the need for additional kitchen appliances. Almost all accessories are dishwasher safe.
MUM 6622 Detailed Features:
Appearance, Colour - White
Convenient cord storage
Suction feet for optimum stability
Durable, easy-to-clean surface
Performance Speeds: 3
Momentary pulse function
Highest safety standards
Accessories: Six-quart plastic mixing bowl
Anti-splash bowl cover
Dough hook
Twin beating whisks
Optional attachments available


Nutrimill Grain Mill[760200]
The Nutrimill Grain Mill: MILL FRESH FLOUR AT HOME
Features: Over 20 cup bowl capacity (largest available). 1 to 1 ratio for milling grain into flour - - fill the hopper once and get a full bowl of fresh flour. Patent Pending TruFeed precision grain flow control. World's first variable, high speed, mill motor. 3x AirFlow for improved motor cooling and longer mill life. Improved texture control - - from fine flour to cereal grain. TwistLock securely and easily locks the lid on the bowl. Easy to remove multi-function modules (watch for the introduction of a 'state of the art' low speed/hand grinding module). Simple storage - - hopper extension fits into bowl. Convenient cord storage. Easy grip hopper lid for easy access and quieter operation. TruTrack bowl locking system - - connects right every time.

Hamilton Beach 25325 MealMaker Express Contact Grill

Product Features:
Grills foods on the top and bottom simultaneously for quick cooking
Top also opens flat, doubling cooking surface to 216 square inches
Dishwasher-safe, nonstick grids remove for easy cleanup
Fats drain into dishwasher-safe drip-tray for healthy cooking
Timer shuts off grill automatically when cooking time elapses

Braun MR5550MBC-HC Multiquick Professional Hand Blender
A food processor, a hand mixer, and a blender all rolled into one! There isn't much this baby can't do, with all the attachments and 400 watts of power. The beauty of hand blenders is their ability to go where they're needed, like say to a pot of soup that needs to be purEed into a creamy bisque. The metal shaft and ice crushing capablilities set this stick blender apart from the crowd. Features:
Measures 13 by 4 by 4 inches; 1-year limited warranty
Powerful 5-speed, 400-watt hand-held blender
Multiple attachments for every kitchen need
Blends, whisks, chops, dices, minces, and more
Turbo setting boosts motor to 13,000 RPM

Salton Yogurt Maker, Model YM9

Makes up to 1 quart of fresh, home made yogurt!
Save up to 70% off the cost of commercial yogurt
Add the fresh fruits, nuts and sweeteners you prefer
Salton's Yogurt Maker gives you the ability to make fresh, additive-free yogurt in your home.
Thermostatically controlled
"Time Out" reminder dial
Built-in measuring spoon
U.L. listed
Listed for Household Use Only
Due to minor marketing changes in design or otherwise, the product you buy may differ slightly from the one shown here.

Upright Freezer:

Frigidaire FFU1764DW 16.7 Cu. Ft. Upright Freezer with Frost Proof & Adjustable Temperature Co., or the 13.7-cubic-foot self-defrosting Kenmore 24452 upright freezer.