Mountain Valley View Farm is selling out fast on all of our delicious, farm fresh organic eggs! Come see us this week at the Spokane Public Market, where you can purchase chicken eggs for just $5.00/dozen. We have over 60 different types of chicken that lay an amazing variety of brown, white, speckled, and colored eggs, including rare Aracauna eggs that have blue and turquoise shells. We also have 12 breeds of duck and 13 breeds of goose that lay eggs for us, and we are planning to add emus, guineas, and turkeys to our flock soon. All of our birds are free range, hormone and antibiotic free, and fed a fresh grain feed that contains no soy or animal bi-products so that you can always be sure you are getting the best quality organic eggs. Come see us at the market!

Spokane Public Market
32 W. 2nd Ave
Spokane, WA 99210
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thurs – Sat

Benefits of Organic Eggs

Organic eggs are extremely nutritious and contain significantly higher ratios of Vitamins A and E, Omega 3, and beta carotene than commercially produced eggs. They are also lower in cholesterol and saturated fat, making them an excellent choice for anyone concerned about their health. Furthermore, trace chemicals from pesticides and fertilizers have been detected in commercial eggs, and many of these chickens are given growth hormones and antibiotics to make them produce more. Chickens at Mountain Valley View Farm are fed an all-natural grain and allowed to roam and forage for food to supplement their diet. We do not use chemical pesticides or fertilizers on our farm, nor do we give our animals growth hormones or antibiotics, so you can be assured that our eggs will not have the toxins so common to commercially produced eggs. You will also love the taste of our eggs, as studies have shown that organic eggs from hens that eat a varied diet have a noticeably stronger and more pleasing flavor than commercial eggs.

Benefits of Duck & Goose Eggs

Duck eggs are significantly larger than chicken eggs, and goose eggs are larger still. One goose egg, when cooked, will be roughly equivalent to four chicken eggs, and both duck and goose eggs also have more yolk than the average chicken egg. Thicker shells lend themselves toward a longer shelf life (at least 6 weeks in the refrigerator), and goose eggshells are so thick that they are perfect for the delicate art of carving and embossing beautiful designs directly onto the shell. Both duck eggs and goose eggs are slightly higher in protein content, as well as containing greater concentrations of other nutrients like iron, potassium, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D.

Duck and goose eggs have their own unique flavors as well. Duck eggs have a noticeably stronger flavor than chicken eggs, and although not everyone may care for this taste when eaten plain, nearly everyone agrees that duck eggs are unparalleled when used for baking. Their richness produces moister, fluffier baked goods–absolutely incredible cakes and cookies. Goose eggs taste similar to chicken eggs, but seem a bit drier. They are also thicker than chicken eggs and have a custard-like yolk. They are also wonderful in cooking and are best in sweet confections and omelets.

* ~ * ~ * ~ *

Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc.
Your Source for Northwest Farm Fresh Foods Shipped Worldwide
4301 South Chapman Road
Greenacres, Washington 99016-8732 USA
Phone (509) 928-1800 | Fax (509) 922-9949
Email: sales@mountainvalleyviewfarm.com

Website: www.mountainvalleyviewfarm.com
Online Store: www.mountainvalleyviewfarmstore.com
Blog with us at www.mountainvalleyviewfarmblog.com

Mountain Valley View Farm Hours:

Monday – Saturday
8:00 a.m. – Noon; 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Closed Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Other farm hours by advance appointment only.
Please call (509) 928-1800 to schedule an appointment.

Getaway Studio Dining Room
& Bed and Breakfast
Phone (509) 928-8900

Directions to Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc.

From I-90 East or West

Take the Sullivan Exit (291B) – South for about 3 miles
Turn left on Saltese (east), and continue for .5 mile
Turn right on South Chapman Road (south), and proceed .9 mile
The farm will be on the left-hand side of the road – 4301 South Chapman Road

If you love to play online bingo and you are still feeling in the festive mood then why not get the whole family together and play a game of Christmas bingo? Although we are going to be disusing how to play a game of bingo while watching a Christmas film, the basic idea of the game can be played while watching any film, regardless of the theme.

Christmas Day has finally come and gone and there is only a few days left until this year is officially over. There is no rule that says you are only allowed to watch Christmas films on Christmas day and as the New Year grown closer you can still enjoy a few Christmas themed films. Take the movie Home Alone. Although the film is set on Christmas Day, the plot of the story is not based entirely on Christmas, making the film a great New Years film and all year round movie.

Creating the bingo cards

Print a copy of the bingo card below for everyone who wishes to play movie bingo, or simply draw 5×5 grids on pieces of paper. The word “BINGO” is not important for the game to run smoothly but it adds more fun to the game. Remember, if you hand draw each bingo card, you need to make sure everyone has the same information on their card.

Once you have your blank bingo cards you need to decide which film you are going to be watching. We will use Home Alone for an example. You need to write in each square something that will happen during the film. For example, in the first square you could write “Christmas Tree”. Each person would then mark this square off when they saw a Christmas tree in the movie. Some squares need to be obvious ones and some need to be hard and only be possible if you were paying attention during the movie.

Things to consider

Depending on the age group of your family will depend on how hard the clue will be. If you have a young family then simple clues such as “Christmas Tree” and “Snow” are ideal, if your family is older then make the game more challenging and make sure you add clues that you know may only happen at the end, or even make the bingo cards completely off the top of your head so you are unsure when the game will end.

Fair play

To make sure the game is fair for everyone who is participating, you need to make sure that someone has seen the film before hand to make sure when answers will appear; this makes sure that no one can cheat. Everyone also needs to have identical cards.

So, what are you waiting for?

If the game is done properly, although you yourself may enjoy a game of online bingo, you will be able to bring a game of bingo into the home that is not only family safe but also fun at the same time. So, what are you waiting for? Print your blank bingo cards off today and start playing a game of movie bingo.

About the Author

The following article was contributed by the site Love to Play Bingo, an online bingo comparison site that compares UK bingo sites.

Well, Christmas has come to a close for another year, but I wanted to share with you this video of “Carol of the Bells”. It is a new rendition created in the likeness of Pirates of the Caribbean. Normally I get tired of this song halfway through all the repeating notes, but this version is something that kept my interest all the way through. I think you might like it so I wanted to share it with our readers.

Blessings this holiday season,

Mistylynn

We just wanted to share a cute Christmas video that was brought to our attention. It’s short, but it will brighten your holiday spirit. Enjoy!

Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc. is currently working with the Washington State Department of Agriculture to become a licensed Grade A dairy. We are anxiously awaiting completion of this licensing process. In the meantime, in accordance with the law, we will not be selling any dairy products until we are officially licensed.

* ~ * ~ * ~ *

Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc.
Your Source for Northwest Farm Fresh Foods Shipped Worldwide
4301 South Chapman Road
Greenacres, Washington 99016-8732 USA
Phone (509) 928-1800 | Fax (509) 922-9949
Email: sales@mountainvalleyviewfarm.com

Website: www.mountainvalleyviewfarm.com
Online Store: www.mountainvalleyviewfarmstore.com
Blog with us at www.mountainvalleyviewfarmblog.com

Mountain Valley View Farm Hours:

Monday – Saturday
8:00 a.m. – Noon; 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Closed Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Other farm hours by advance appointment only.
Please call (509) 928-1800 to schedule an appointment.

Getaway Studio Dining Room
& Bed and Breakfast
Phone (509) 928-8900

Directions to Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc.
From I-90 East or West
Take the Sullivan Exit (291B) – South for about 3 miles
Turn left on Saltese (east), and continue straight for .5 mile
Turn right on South Chapman Road (south), and proceed .9 mile
The farm will be on the left-hand side of the road – 4301 South Chapman Road

Radio City is pleased to present The Perfect Gift. For those who want to share their love with family it is now possible online by customizing a video that takes the viewer on a heartwarming holiday journey. It is built by interfacing with your Facebook profile to gather information on your friends and family. The Perfect Gift promises not to post anything to your wall or share your info. It asks for permission for each thing it wants to do. It simply uses your relationship status and photos. This is a uniquely for those who like doing things online and want to communicate to friends and family just how much they are the perfect gift. It is up to you who you share it with, how and when. There are two videos you are able to choose from. “Making It Perfect” is about how a special child in your life makes the holidays special and “Going Home” is about a far away loved one. I personally chose “Going Home” and it created a video of two people having a conversation on Facebook with Christmas pictures and such. When it was finished previewing it had the option to share it to my Facebook wall or just getting the link to it. The whole process was a perfect gift in that it was quick and at no cost.

It is also worth mentioning that the Radio City Christmas Spectacular has a brand new show this year featuring exciting 3D scenes. The Rockettes Magical Journey from November 11 to January 2. Tickets are on sale right now, but due to Ticketmaster experiencing difficulties they are asking people that are interested in tickets to call their number at 1-866-858=0007.

Are you looking for new Christmas music this year? Everyone’s familiar with the tried and true carols and holiday songs, but if you’re like me you start getting a little tired of even your favorite tunes by the time Christmas Day rolls around. There’s no escaping Christmas music at this time of year–every store, restaurant, and radio station plays a nonstop blitz of carols starting as soon as Thanksgiving dinner has been cleared off the table. But never fear, there’s a cure for that musical tedium! Why not search out original holiday songs by independent artists and make a compilation CD for yourself? Great new Christmas music that you have never heard before, and aren’t likely to hear being played over the sound system of every mall and grocery store. Here’s a few ideas to get you started.

• Feel Alive (It’s Christmas Day) by Joe and the Jungle–This original song by the indie rock band combines cozy warm lyrics, heartfelt strings, and a blend of voices harmonizing to create an atmosphere of peaceful Christmas spirit.
• The All-Purpose Carol by The Chenille Sisters–A sparkling country music feel and a dose of good-natured humor liven up this song that combines several holiday traditions and carols into one.
• This Christmas by Peter Mayer–A heartfelt pop tune that urges us to think about the true nature of giving and how we display love at this time of year. Very poignant.
• Doin’ That Holiday Thing by Johnny Pierre–Fun-spirited, lively, and fast-paced with a homey country twang in Johnny’s deep voice.
• Daddy Don’t Take the Christmas Tree Down by John Dameron–A Christmas song for all ages featuring a cheerful children’s chorus and a bright, happy tune that will get your blood pumping and your toes tapping.
• The Ghost of Christmas Past by David Kurtz–This instrumental solo acoustic guitar piece is lovely and yearning, evoking the spirit of the holidays while remaining completely original.
• I Poked You on Facebook (Merry Christmas) by Clinton Yorke–Tongue-in-cheek witticism and pop-techno rhythms craft a clever song for the Facebook generation.
• Horn Jubilee by KevOZ–If you like Manheim Steamroller, you will love this bouncy instrumental holiday song. (Also try A Very Merry Christmas from the same album.)
• Fiesta ChaCha by Lounge Magic–A sprightly, old-fashioned feel with a Spanish flavor. This is unique, fun, and joyous–just right for the Christmas season.

As you can see, there is a wide variety of original Christmas music available in every possible style and genre. Not every song will appeal to all people, but it gives a good sampling of the possibilities. Some of it is silly, some of it is heartfelt, some is more traditional, but all of it can help stave off the boredom of the same old carols and songs. Now go out there and find some new tunes for Christmas!

The holidays are only a few weeks away. Everyone is running around, checking off their shopping lists, baking cookies, sending out Christmas cards and a myriad of other jolly activities. Filing insurance claims or time spent in the E.R. doesn’t usually factor into the equation, but it requires some vigilance and common sense on our parts to avoid just that. Holiday time is magical, but the added hustle and bustle, the excess of lights strung up around the house and the general risk of an accident goes up at this time of the year. Thankfully, a few precautions can keep the holidays running smoothly and stress free (at least until January when the credit card bills turn up).

Tip #1: Make sure your decorations aren’t outdated. Do you still have the same lights that your parents were using in 1952? Modern lights are much safer than their older counterparts. They don’t put off as much heat for one, which lowers the chance that a little one in your house might burn their fingers. Also, old wiring is more prone to shorts, which could lead to a house fire. Newer lights, especially LED lights, are better for your budget too since they use less electricity.

New, shatter-proof ornaments might be something for you to consider as well, especially those with small children in the home. Nothing quite ruins the holiday spirit like a trip to the E.R. to remove glass from little Johnny’s foot.

Tip #2: Keep an updated fire extinguisher handy and make sure everyone in the house knows how to operate it. From turkeys going up in smoke, candles burning to the new wood burning kit that some well-meaning relative just HAD to get for your kid, there are plenty of opportunities for an accidental fire. Another good idea is to post the P.A.S.S. (Point. Aim. Squeeze. Spray) method in an easy to spot space, since it’s easy to lose your head in an emergency.

Tip #3: After the presents are opened, the screams of joy are shrieked and the six cups of coffee are downed by Mom and Dad, remember to pick up all the wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, bits of tape, and the ten million annoying little plastic bits that have been wrestled off the packaging, all of which pose a choking hazard to small children and pets alike. What looks inedible to you is shiny and tempting to them.

Holiday safety is a simple affair with a little vigilance on your part. Here’s to a happy and safe Christmas this year!

About the Author

This article was written by Phill from the Fire Safety Store.

The tradition of gift giving around Christmas is becoming an ever more global celebration. That isn’t to say however there isn’t some quirky variations, quite the opposite in fact. Many countries hang on to their own alternatives to Santa. Here are three variations you might not have heard of…

Ded Moroz

Ded Moroz translates pretty much directly as ‘Grandfather Frost’ and you’ll find him doing his rounds in many of the former Russian states of Eastern Europe. He’s a lover of a jolly red costume and also has a large white beard, just like Santa but it is his history that’s interesting. He was once an evil sorcerer who has now reformed and gives gifts to children as a way of making up for all his evil deeds, which included kidnapping little ones and demanding presents as ransom.

Now however, he typically delivers his gifts over New Year’s, though it isn’t unusual for him to turn up at parties and hand out gifts in person. He also has a side kick to help him, his granddaughter who is referred to as ‘The Snow Maiden’.

La Benafa

La Benafa hails from Italy and while her modus operandi is very much in line with that of the Santa Claus we know, her appearance is quite different. For a start she’s a woman, and although her back story is variable, the most common version suggests that she offered shelter and food to the three wise kings as they travelled to see the infant Jesus.

Her appearance is actually more in line with that of a traditional Halloween witch, flying around with a bag of presents on a broomstick. She also enters houses via the chimney as a way of delivery and is more than happy to leave a lump of coal for a child that’s been naughty. Interestingly she is thought to be heck of a housekeeper and demonstrates this by sweeping the hearths as she leaves the way she came in.

Yule Lads

These guys are a group of thirteen tricky gnome-like little creatures that have taken on the gift giving duties in Iceland. There mischievous ways have led to them having some more negative incarnations throughout their history though now they tend to be seen as spirited and playful types, each with a preferred, often bizarre, speciality. For example the Yule Lad known as Stekkjastaur is said to hassle sheep while wandering about on wooden legs.

They do also give presents to kids, helped out by a yuletide cat, a grizzly creature who deals with the extra naughty. The Yule lads leave small gifts in the shoes of good children, whereas those less well behaved awake to find their footwear filled with potatoes.

These are just three of the weird and wonderful variations to Santa that as we speak are gearing up to their busiest time of the year… which means if you happen to be in Iceland, be good, unless you want a shoe full of root vegetable.

David James researches and writes about the weird and quirky for novelty Christmas gifts retailer Find Me A Gift.

Did you know that the history of Christmas tree is as colorful as its appearance? Its origin is rich with various legends and Biblical interpretations, Christian practices, love stories, miracles, and international customs.

Germany is attributed with beginning the tradition of Christmas trees; in the 16th century, devout Christians brought adorned trees into their homes. Traditionally, people decorated their evergreens with candle lights, ornaments, garlands, glitter, and candy canes. An alternative to the Christmas tree was called a Christmas pyramid, which was made of stacked wood in the shape of a tree, and decorated with evergreens and candles.

Historians believe that the 16^th-century Protestant reformer Martin Luther was behind the idea of incorporating candles to a tree. An anecdote about him says that on his way home one wintry Christmas Eve, Martin Luther was overwhelmed by the radiance of the stars, twinkling amidst evergreens. Inspired by what he saw, he shared the story to his children and brought back the view for his family, by putting up a tree in the living room. He incorporated lighted candles around it in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Myths and Legends

1. Saint Boniface and the Tree. In 722, Saint Boniface is said to have met some pagans who were about to sacrifice a child at the foot of a huge oak tree. To stop the sacrifice, he cut down the tree, where miraculously, on the same spot, a Fir tree instantly grew. The saint then enlightened everyone that the divine evergreen, with its branches pointing to heaven, was a sacred tree of the child Jesus Christ, which stands for the assurance of everlasting life.
2. Queen Victoria’s Romance and the Tree. Another unforgettable story from Germany is about Queen Victoria who used to regularly visit relatives in Germany. It was there that she fell in love with Prince Albert. Upon marriage, the couple settled in England to raise their family. Since then, Prince Albert decorated a Christmas tree as a family tradition. From that time, around 1830, the people of England imitated the custom of tree decorating as a symbol of their devotion for their Queen.
3. Middle Ages Germans and Scandinavians and the Tree.  History says that in Germany and Scandinavia during the Middle Ages, people used to place evergreen trees indoors or outdoors in anticipation of the coming spring.
4. Pagan Traditions and the Tree. It is believed that prior to the spread of Christianity, green trees had an exceptional significance during the winter season. Pagans hung evergreen boughs on their doors and windows as a symbol of hope for the spring. Traditionally, evergreens were used by many countries to drive away evil spirits, illnesses, and ghosts.
   The winter solstice in the Northern hemisphere, where the shortest day and longest night of the year is experienced, usually falls on December 21st or December 22nd.  Correspondingly, those who worshipped a sun god believed that winter was the time when their sun god gets sick. Solstice was regarded by the worshippers as the moment when the sun god renewed his vigor; hence, they mark their celebration by displaying evergreen branches in their homes.
   Even the ancient Egyptians who worshipped the pagan god Ra used to fill their homes with green palms at the Solstice; they believed that, at Solstice, Ra began to recover from illness and regained strength. Analogously, early Romans celebrated the Solstice with a feast called Saturnalia in honor of the god of agriculture Saturn. The Romans decorated their homes and temples with green boughs as a sign of hope that soon the woods would be green and fruitful. Incidentally, the ferocious Vikings in Scandinavia believed that evergreens were the special plant of Balder, their sun god.  Similarly, the mysterious Druids in the northern Europe who were the priests of the ancient Celts, adorned their temples with evergreen boughs as a representation of everlasting life.
5. America and the Tree. When the Christmas tree was introduced in the United States in 19^th century, the idea was not readily accepted by most Americans, as they considered it as a pagan symbol. The first recorded Christmas tree display in the U.S. was in the 1830s, erected by some German pioneers in Pennsylvania. Shortly, in the early 20th century, Americans started adorning their trees primarily with homemade embellishments, while the German-Americans used apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies to decorate their trees. Then Christmas lights came in. Soon came our parents’ generation, when Christmas trees became a must-have in every American home.

Today, we continue the Christmas tree tradition and we create our own chapter of Christmas tree history. Irrespective of myths about its origin, may we redefine our Christmas trees and make it a symbol of life, joy, and love in our homes and in our hearts!

About Carrie Chen:

Carrie is the VP forMarketing at Treetopia, the ultimate Christmas store for fun and funky artificial Christmas trees.