I purchased a lavender female in the summer and was given a brown male. they free range. She laid eggs in August and hatched 11 keets. I kept them confined for three weeks and let them loose. its December and I'm have five plus the parents (lost some to resident hawks and a bald eagle). at least one offspring is female. is there concern If the offspring breed amongst themselves next year? also, to share my experience, I have not had a problem with noise like some others. they call for each other and if threatened. once my pit terrier mix was causing a ruckus with them and when I got there the dog was running for his life with mom and dad guinea chasing him at full speed and voice, but most of the time they are usually not noisy. they live mostly in 330' by 60' garden surrounded by electric fence. they have part of shed and roost in it at night. they wander out of garden to rest of yard (3.5 acres) and surrounding farmland (nearest house 1,000 Ft). they like to look at their reflection in my basement windows. In warmer weather they would roost in tree near house. my chickens are in tractor in garden and guinea dad does seem to torment them by running up to wire mesh and scaring them. I have had chickens get loose and never saw any problem with guineas. they are not far from the road but I never saw them in the street. I feed a corn type crumbles for game birds at night or whenever I get into the garden. they follow me when they think they are getting fed. they drink from drippers (although chickens wont). I showed one guinea how to drink and they all seemed to figure it out.

JMO but some of the best buys in used equipment, when you know what you are looking for, can be found on eBay. craigslist also has some bargains but they have to be evaluated more carefully so more basic knowledge is required. One way to save money is to buy a pressure canner (you need a canner, NOT a pressure cooker) that is also large enough to use as a BWB canner. That eliminates some needed equipment. The Presto brand canners are usually the least expensive. You may see some Mirro canners that are less expensive but they tend to have more problems. 12 qt. models or larger are required to qualify as a canner. Presto makes a good 16 qt. size. The qt. sizing is how they are rated and determines the number of jars they will hold. For example the 16 qt (model #1755) holds 12 half-pints; 10 pints; 7 quarts. The 16 qt size is deep enough for BWB half pint jars but nothing larger. For the best flexibility for both BWB canning and pressure canning, many consider the Presto 23 qt. model #1781 to be the ideal. It is deep enough to use as both a PC and BWB and holds 24 half-pints; 20 pints; 7 quarts. If you can find a used All American 21 qt. model (called Model 921) that you can afford so much the better but new they are much more expensive. Jars - the best sources used to be yard/garage sales. Not so much any more although you may still find some. If you have a Fred's Dollar store near you they have the best prices on Golden Harvest jars as well as lids and rings for the jars. Walmart is also a frequently used source although their prices are higher. Again eBay and craigs list often has some really good deals on bulk lids and bands. You can compare all these models side by side on amazon.com. You will also need a copy of the Ball Blue Book for starters. Here is a pic of it but don't pay this price. It is 1/2 this price at Walmart. This just scratches the surface but I hope it will give you some places to start looking. Dave

Ok...here is what I have so far... I WILL EMAIL THIS TO YOU PLEASE DO NOT CCP THERE MAY BE MORE QUESTIONS ADDED OTHERS WANT ON HERE BEFORE WE ARE FINAL. I will ask you to answers all questions...Please take time to think about what your answers might be. IF you want to save this one to help you answer them later then please go ahead and do that, HOWEVER, if something gets added be sure to answer it on the one emailed to you. Personal Info: Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Email address: What type of movies do you like? Favorites? What are your least favorite movies? What type of books do you read? What are your least favorite books? What are your favorite types of music? What are your least favorite types of music? What are your favorite colors? What is you shoe size? What is your hat size? What is your belt size? Are you allergic to: Smells? (Perfumes, Lotions, Cologne) Do you have a favorite scent? Do you have a favorite lotion or shaving cream or after shave? Do you have any allergic triggers? (Clorox, detergents, soaps) Do you wear finger nail polish? What colors are you favorite? Would you prefer not to receive finger nail polishes? Would you like to receive manicure items? (clippers, emery board) Do you have long hair? Would you like to receive barrettes or ponytail holders? Do you have pierce ears? Can you were costume jewelry? Would you prefer not to receive any jewelry adornment items? Do you collect household indoor items? (ex: candles, tins, soaps) If so what types? Scents? What would you NOT want to receive for indoor décor? What type of theme do you have indoors? Kitchen? Bath? Do you have children? What are their ages? Would you want something including for them? If so what type of items? (coloring books, children books) Do you like novelty items? (pens, pencils, notepads, stickers, stamps and ink pads) Food Are you allergic to any foods? Do you like cooking? What are you favorite types of food? What types of foods do you dislike? Do you like chocolate? If you dont like chocolate what is your favorite candy(ies)? What is your favorite snack food? Would you want to receive homemade goodies? (cookies, brownies) What is your favorite types drink non-alcoholic? Coffee, Tea List your favorite flavors: Please list as many as you like: Teas: List your favorite flavors: Please list as many as you like: Coffees: Drinks others: Do you do alcoholic drinks? If so what are your favorite types? Garden Info: What zone are you in: Tell us a little about your specific growing conditions, for your yard: (sunny, hot/dry, wet, shady, hilly, flat) Are you allergic to any plants? Do you enjoy houseplants; Specific types? What if any do you prefer NOT to receive? What is you glove size? Would you like to receive garden tools? If so what types? Do you have a specific color you would like to receive if possible? Do you collect seeds? Would you want homemade seed packs or would you prefer plastic or paper envelopes? Would you like paint markers or sticks? Would you want plants makers? Purchased or homemade? What plants do you have too many of and do not want any more of? What plants would you like to receive more of? Is there any color plants you would like to receive? What themes/ color schemes do you have going on in your garden, if any? Do you plan on starting any themes or color schemes? Would you prefer plants or seeds of the above items? Do you have a pond in your yard? Are you planning a pond in the future? Do you need pond related items, if so what would you be wishing for? Do you want pond plants? Do you grow vegetables? Would you like to receive seeds for veggies? If so what types would you want? Do you grow herbs, or want to start? What types of plants do you have? Or would you want to receive? Would you care to receive herb seeds? Do you enjoy bulb type plants? What is your favorite bulb plant? What is your least favorite bulb plant? Would you want to receive onions sets and type? (Red, sweet) Would want to receive garlic? (Types) Would you want to receive potato seed? Is there any specialty plant or seeds you would just LOVE to have? Would you prefer NOT to receive seeds of ANY kind? Please list at least 10 favorite plants you would like to receive. Please list at least 10 seeds types you would like to receive. List types you DO NOT want to receive either plants or seeds wise. What are 3 plants you would hurt someone to get your hands on you just havent been able to find yet. Decorations: Do you enjoy yard art/decorations/ornaments? (if not say so, hey if you think it is trashy tell us) Do you collect any specific yard art/decorations/ornaments if so? Would you like to receive wind chimes? Would you like to receive outside flags? Is there any specific outside theme you would just not want? Do you decorate for holidays? If so which ones? Would you want to receive these appropriate decorations? Which holiday would you least likely wish to receive items for? What is you favorite Holiday? Do you have a least favorite holiday? What is your most favorite season or time of year? What is you least favorite season or time of year? Hobbies: Besides gardening what are your hobbies if any? Would you like items related to your favorite other hobbies? What would you enjoy receiving most relating to your other hobbies? What would least like to receive relating to your other hobbies? Do you scrapbook? Would you want items related to scrap booking? (ink pads, stamps, papers, déco scissors) Do you enjoy animals? Do you have any animals? (dog, cat, bird) Would you want something included for them? If so what? Toys? Biscuits? Do you have a specific color you prefer to receive if included? What is the least favorite item you would want to receive for your pet(s)? What is you favorite animal? What is your least favorite animal? Would you enjoy receiving animal related items? (notepads, stickers etc.) I KNOW it is long, BUT this will help us all to decide what everyone will want...I think it is pretty much all you could want to know, but maybe I over looked something I am sleepy and can't think of any thing esle right now. Ok, night everyone. :) Fran

Went out "rummaging" last Saturday. Spent a morning of pleasant talk time with DH while enroute. Got a little exercise getting in and out of the pick-up, walking up and down the street (there was a neighborhood sale on one block). Bought some nice t-shirts in several sizes (DH and I wear XL, DGS wears L, DS and DD wear 2X) for 25 cents each. They were all glad to get them, and I have stained up most of the t-shirts I currently have, painting and gardening. I always watch for things that might make good Christmas presents for my family. They like to get rummage sale stuff because they know I have a set amount that I spend for Christmas and they'd rather have more stuff than just a few. I found a Cuisinart food processor, clean, didn't look like it had even been used, with the book, both blades and also two stems and a julienne and grating blade, for $10. I tested it out before buying and it works perfectly. DD will be so happy to discover that under the tree! I found a large, brand new, still-in-the-box George Foreman grill for $10. (no book, though) Used it to grill hamburgers last night. The weekend before I found a nice Fossil watch, still in it's original box, for $10. One of the DGS' will be the recipient of that. The weekend before that, I found a brand new Eureka Hot Shot steam cleaner that I had been wanting, still in it's original box with all attachments and the book, for $5. Sometimes, I don't find a thing I want. But even then, I get out and meet people and I enjoy my morning. Out of the garden this week, I got cabbage, beets and beet greens (they were yummy), plenty of romaine and a few onions. Last month we had baby lettuce, watermelon radish and asparagus. The beans are beginning to form and I have some green tomatoes on my plants. No squash this year as I still have some in the freezer. Next year, though, I'm going to dehydrate some like Grainlady does. There are tiny cucumbers on the vine and the dill looks like it'll be making umbrels right on time. I'll be using MIL's old recipe for garlic dills this year, that you can make a jar at a time. The sunflowers are heading up. I garden without chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Every fall I collect my neighbors' leaves that they bag up and put on the curb for garbage collection. I save the leaves by sticking the bags under my porch, where, as long as they are there, they insulate the foundation along the east side. They keep the wind from blowing things under there and they keep weeds from growing along the edges. Then, as I need them, I use them for mulch all over my garden. I happen to have come into several bales of hay for free and I find that if I put a little "slice" of hay on top of the leaves, it keeps them from blowing away. By the following spring, that mulch becomes healthy soil. I did get some cow manure from a local rancher this spring but I think I will not do that again. Lots of weed seeds, though not nearly as bad as the horse manure I had several years ago. Cows must be more selective in what they eat than horses are. I get heavy cardboard from a local furniture store. The boxes are large and some of them are sized perfectly for fitting down into the spaces between my raised beds. Bermuda grass is a problem here, it gets into everything and chokes things out, sending it's long, sinewey roots clear to China. The only way to control it is to shade it out. I have to admit, I did splurge on seed buying from Baker Creek, as they are offering free shipping till the end of June. but I got things that you just can't pick up anywhere, and even if the package of seed costs $2.50 and $3.00 (isn't that outrageous?), I use my seeds very carefully and so just one plant that produces well will more than pay for the seed and the rest is "just gravy". A package of seed, stored carefully, will be viable for years. We always batch our trips, so when we get done rummaging we go by the grocery store and buy whatever we need, usually on sale. I hear gas prices are going to be going up again, so even if you do happen to have a 'gas guzzler' vehicle, you will get more for your $$ if you learn to do as many of your errands at the same time as you can. DGS got a ticket for not wearing his seatbelt! The officer told him it would be only $20 but what he didn't tell him was that if he waits for the court date and appears then to pay it, he will have to pay court costs too. Luckily we discovered in time and informed DGS of that, so he went to the court house and paid his fine and avoided paying court costs. Let this be a lesson to him, wear that seat belt!