Mason Jar Monday: Ball Jar Heritage Collection

I don't know about you guys, but I am excited to see Ball bring back their famous "Perfect Mason" blue jars for their 100th anniversary. 100 years of creating jars! They must be doing something right.

 I am definitely a fan of the antique jars and at first I wasn't cool with the idea of them being replicated. They've grown on me since and I think it's pretty cool that everyone has the opportunity to can or decorate with the beautiful blue hue just like our grandmother, great and great great grandmothers once did. 

A Farmer for Every Choice

If you have been following me on Facebook and Twitter this week, you've probably noticed a few posts about agriculture and the attack on conventional farming. Some of the arguments may seem redundant. However, there is no such thing as redundant when you are fighting for your career, passion and way of life.

I came across a graphic yesterday from the Texas Farm Bureau.



Graphic Courtesy of the Texas Farm Bureau Organization



I really want you to read the quotation. Not once. Not twice. But over and over. Let it sink in........ slowly.

What does that quotation mean to you?

After I shared this graphic on Facebook yesterday, a fellow blogger commented,

"This says it all and nothing else needs be said. If only everyone could leave it at that. Freedom to farm the way you want and freedom to purchase what you want, it's really so simple or it should be anyway." - Kelly Gray

Kelly is right.  BUT, she also said "If only"........ "If only we can leave it at that."

"If only" is the key.

What's it going to take to stop the "If only"?

Mason Jar Mondays: Recycled Glass Earrings

Today I am sharing something very, very....... very, very cool. I apologize to the guys, because I know these may not interest you but HEY, the mason jar enthusiast woman in your life will LOVE you if you buy them these earrings made from recycled antique 1940 ball jars.

Darn it! I am a little too late for Valentine's Day....... how about a post Valentine's Day gift? Catch her off guard! Do they make cards for that? I think I just thought of a million dollar idea...... 

Anyways, back to the featured earrings. I tend to get excited sometimes. And off track. 

Mason Jar Monday: Phone Cover

I am excited to introduce to you my new feature here at Old Blue Silo!

If you know me, you know my love for all things mason jars. After all, it was one of the themes at my wedding! Even our invitations were a cut out of a mason jar which I will share with you one of these days.

The idea for this feature came to me as I've discovered a few really cool mason jar products and craft ideas the last few years and I think it would be fun to finally share them weekly. After all, we have Man Crush Monday, Wordless Wednesday, Throwback Thursday and Five on Friday all across social media... why not Mason Jar Monday here at Old Blue Silo?!

I know mason jars are really popular right now and hopefully for years to come. Instead of randomly sharing products and ideas, I wanted to have a set schedule for those who are interested in this feature. I know there are some of you that love mason jars as much as I do! I hope this is a feature that is here to stay. It will be a lot of fun for me and hopefully my readers. 

Today I'm featuring this mason jar phone case I ordered from Amazon recently. I couldn't resist! I've been looking for new case since I've had the same one for years. This was one was perfect. It holds the nostalgia of the old blue Ball jars I love dearly. 

The case is made by Case Envy and it's a hard silicone and offers a light impact protection. This will be perfect for regular use however I will still hold onto my Otterbox for the Harvest and Planting season.... considering I dropped my phone in-between the gear shafts of our old tractor this winter plowing snow. I had a not so happy husband.

Anyways, there are a few models you can buy this case in if you're interested. 

Models available:

iPhone 5/5s

iPhone 4/4s

Samsung Galaxy S3 Siii

Samsung Galaxy S4

I am so excited for my case to get here! I can hardly stand it. I'll post a picture on my Instagram once it's here!

Everybody, have a great week! Be sure to come back next Monday to see what will be featured next. Do you have a cool mason jar craft or product you'd like to me to share? Email me your ideas!

Sunday Drvin' and Snow

My husband and I went on a little Sunday drive through our neighborhood to check out the snow landscapes this morning. I took my camera along of course and played a little more with my 55-300 mm lens. Won't you join us for a little recap of what we saw?

We made a new exciting discovery as we were out on our drive:

A round barn we haven't seen before in our neighborhood!

Why is this exciting? Well, you see, our county is famous for the amount of round barns it once had and still possesses. We even have a festival called the Round Barn Festival every summer. These barns first emerged in Indiana around the late 1800s. In 1910 there was a large "boom" of round barns across Indiana. The last known round barn to be built in Indiana was in 1936. Round barns are endangered and there are very few left! Some of them have been beautifully restored and some even relocated. Others have not been so lucky.

Hamburger Helper Hack

Some of my favorite meals growing up as a kid were the infamous Hamburger Helper meals. They're nice to keep around for a quick, spontaneous meal. However, since I started my #gluten free diet for health issues, Hamburger Helper was pretty much out of the question of finding a home in my pantry. There are a few gluten free options that Mrs. Leeper's makes but they're expensive and you don't get a lot of noodles. They're good, don't get me wrong. 

A Quick Message for Consumers

Agriculture and our food supply is under attack.

It's up to you as a consumer to be responsible when it comes to sharing graphics, reading labels and believing what you hear over what you see.

It's up to farmers to share the facts.

Think before you share. Do your research. Look for sources.

You can't believe everything you see just because it's flying around the internet or the media.

Remember, our world population is getting bigger, consumers are growing farther away from the farm and the cost of food is rising.

Don't add to the cost.

Beat the #Winter Blues

So, as a lot of you know, I love products. Things that make your life easier and more enjoyable. Once in a while, I love getting off the farm to try and discover new things. And, most of all, I love to share them!

This #winter has been long and it's been snowy. I actually like it. I know most of you don't, however! Here are a few of my favorite products right now that may help with some of your winter blues. I actually went out of my comfort zone trying a few of these things this winter!