tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42337738584139668602024-03-13T08:55:39.217-07:00Jodys Re-CreationsBaking, Cooking, Composting, Craft Projects, Food Preservation, Organic Gardening Adventures, Sewing and Woodworking ProjectsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-67062519876466679222013-07-30T15:43:00.000-07:002013-08-05T11:41:09.429-07:00Aquaponics Explored and a Garden Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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had some welcome rain the last couple of days. The garden loves it. It always
has a leap of growth after it rains. I’ve got to believe it’s because it
doesn’t have all the additives in it, (to make it healthy for us), like the
city water. All the plants look so happy and hydrated. Plants
that give us food take priority when it comes to watering the yard. The water bill is on my mind in the summer. I
feel lucky to have city water. Farmers that have to rely on rain are having a
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been reading a book on <u>Aquaponic Gardening</u> by Sylvia
Bernstein. It’s a step-by-step guide to raising vegetables and fish together.
I’ve been researching this topic online for a few months now. I’m convinced
this is the ultimate way to grow veggies and fish. My husband and I are trying
to eat more fish, but it’s very expensive and the threat of mercury in our fish is scary. I stock up when it’s on sale but it
would be nice to have our protein on site. It just makes sense to raise them
along with the veggies. What intrigues me is that it takes less water than a
garden in the soil. The water is recycled and never has to be dumped. It goes
from the fish tank to the veggies and back to the fish tank several times a
day. The plants sit in a medium of clay pellets, or a wide array of choices.
It’s a totally organic system. There has to be an organic balance for everything to
live. As soon as we can I’ll be switching to this system. I'm not done reading the book yet. More to come as I read it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As far as the fish are concerned you can raise Tilapia, trout,
bass, fresh water shrimp or a few others. The Tilapia sounds good to me, also
the fresh water shrimp. The best part is there is no weeding! I spend a good
amount of time weeding, every day, 7 months of the year. I really don’t like
it!! I do it for the food the yard gives us and to keep things looking nice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s amazing how much food we get from our garden. To think that aquaponics could increase that yield is exciting. Last year we
canned a year’s supply of tomatoes and tomato products, green sauce, green
beans and carrots. That’s a year supply of those. Then we grew, ate and froze
peas, squash, cucumbers, potatoes and sweet potatoes. On top of that, I can and
freeze fruit and veggies when they are at their cheapest to buy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We don’t have fruit and nut trees of our own but we will someday.
I do have a few almond trees that have been growing all summer. They were
already sprouted when I found them in the compost pile. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> I have 2 that are doing
really well. One is in a pot (in the blue pot), and one came up in the garden in the carrots (below). The
one in the ground has been bigger all along but now the other one has caught up
in height and they look about the same. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m still working on cherry trees from
seed. I planted a bunch last summer but none came up. A friend of mine has a
peach tree that she was given that had come up in a compost pile. This was
about 6 yrs ago. Now the tree is about 10 ft tall and gives lots of peaches.
I’m encouraged by that so I keep trying. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re getting carrots although they aren’t very long. The stiff
clay soil is to blame here. The clay soil does have minerals in it but it’s
hard for the roots to penetrate it. I didn’t double dig that bed; I don’t have
the back for that anymore. I just add lots of compost and mix it in a little.
This soil will need years of that treatment before it’ll be ‘good’ soil.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> This
is our second summer here so it just hasn’t had time to lighten up with
the added compost. My house in CA I lived in for 7 yrs and that soil was
beautiful. It takes time to build soil from compacted grass. Amazingly though,
we get a lot of produce from our garden. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so excited that the celery is doing so well. We’ve been
eating it and I can’t help but to nibble on it while I water and weed every
morning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Stella loves to nibble from the garden. She’ll be coming over tomorrow
for the day! She has her own little tools and gard</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">en gloves. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Her favorite thing
to do is look for worms. While we water the worms come to the top of the soil
and I usually pick one up and let her hold it. She was nervous at first but now
she’s very brave and holds them, but not for long! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Pretty good for a 2 yr old!
She can pick peas with 2 hands so she doesn’t pull the branch off or the plant
out of the ground. She's a little expert already. I have so much fun with her
in the garden. Now Kym and Stella are growing veggies at their house this
summer!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUibS3L5dEL0YV3tgbjrlPNFNNL9INPbXgut9gxo_ZMqj4aR_vC9V8ZHbi0vunOFrmr6Ddrev6l_9HmtUgWreGMQNqSLImYegBPccGrT00ucoP0-043F4XzYl5pTujJ1M_bWmMVPF-g0/s1600/July+2013+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUibS3L5dEL0YV3tgbjrlPNFNNL9INPbXgut9gxo_ZMqj4aR_vC9V8ZHbi0vunOFrmr6Ddrev6l_9HmtUgWreGMQNqSLImYegBPccGrT00ucoP0-043F4XzYl5pTujJ1M_bWmMVPF-g0/s640/July+2013+052.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The celery is on the left and the carrots on the right.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re having a great time and Stella gets to see the daily
growth, which is amazing to a kid. It’s all very much like magic to see veggies
form right in front of you, and then you get to eat them! It connects kids to
their food, shows them where it comes from and makes them conscience of eating
healthy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> You want your kids to eat their veggies? Then grow some! Make it their
own project and their responsibility to water it and take care of it. When my
kids were 3 and 5 we had a little plot in the back yard. It wasn’t more than
12’x12’ but I gave each kid a row of their own. (A pot on a porch will work too!) It was their choice what to
plant. They got to choose from the seeds I had at the time. They watered it every day and when it rained I showed them how to look
at and feel the soil to see if the rain was enough or does it need more. We had
slugs and the kids liked to take the salt and kill them for me. Icky as that
sounds, the slugs were really doing damage and we had to take care of it.
That’s what gardeners do; they take care of the plants. I loved gardening with them.
It was like magic when we got to pick and eat the fruits of our labor. I will
always treasure those memories. Fast-forward, now I’m making new memories with
a new generation. Making memories in the garden is a precious part of my life. </span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took down the peas. They were done producing for the most part.
I left a couple plants for Stella as she has just perfected picking and I want
her to practice as long as possible before the plants are really done. The
cucumbers have taken over where the peas were. I love growing cucumbers this
way, off the ground. It keeps them clean and they don’t have a yellow side from
sitting on the ground. Cleaner is easier for me. We’ve been getting quite a few
cucumbers every day. We’re eating them for lunch and dinner every day and we’ve
even started juicing again to use them up. We’re still sharing with the family
as well and there is still a surplus. I’m not complaining at all, I love them.
The peeling isn’t bitter at all so there’s no need to peel them. I feel so
healthy eating all this fresh produce every day! </span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The juicing is definitely giving me energy. I zip around here for
several hours after drinking one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you’re looking for a
recipe, we’ve been doing 3 cucumbers, 2-3 stalks celery and 1-2 apples. We did
one yesterday that was 3 cucumbers, 6 carrots and 1 apple. These make a couple
cups of juice, which is just right for us right now. From what I’ve read it’s a
good idea to have a different juice every day. It can’t hurt, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> I tried
juicing before, that’s why I own a juicer, but I never really liked it and it
seemed expensive for the veggies. It takes a lot. But if you have an
overflowing garden, it’s perfect. I have to tell you that the worms are loving
the leftovers, (from the machine). Everyone is
happy; it’s a wonderful thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Here we are having our green drink. Don't we look healthier already?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something else that’s abundant right now is the squash. Both
zucchini and yellow straight neck squash are producing several a day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We love
the small ones, 8” or so, split in half and grilled. We eat lots of this! We
also eat a lot of stir-fry although we’re kind of tired of that right now. I
got a yummy recipe from my friend Melodee, for Zucchini Alfredo Pesto. It is to
die for. I made homemade ravioli and put this on it. It was heaven!!! She said
I could share it, so here it is!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Zucchini Alfredo Pesto</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 (12oz ) pkg of uncooked
egg noodles or any pasta</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">2 cloves garlic, minced</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">4 c. zucchini, shredded </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">½ c. milk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">4 oz. cream cheese, cubed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">½ c. fresh basil, chopped </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Salt and pepper to taste</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Grated Parmesan cheese
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Bring a large pot of lightly
salted water to a boil. Add egg noodles and cook for 8-10 min, drain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Heat the oil in a skillet
over medium heat. Stir in garlic and cook 2 min. Mix in zucchini and cook for
10 min., until some of the moisture has evaporated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Pour the milk into the
skillet and stir in cream cheese until melted. Mix in basil. Season with salt
and pepper. Serve over the cooked pasta.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Bob and I ate this at Mel and Greg’s house last summer. It’s just
wonderful; you have to try this, seriously. It’s a great new recipe to help use
up all that zucchini.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>So back to the garden. Everything is growing like crazy. The
tomatoes are getting tall and are loaded with fruit.</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> The stakes are 8ft tall. I wanted to give them room to grow. They are more than half way up them now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> You can see the newspaper on the right in the isle. I weeded it first, then raked the wood chips aside and then put 10 or more layers of newspaper down. I'll cover this with wood chips. I plan to do a row a day until it's done, then a trip to the store for wood chips. I put the chips that were there on top of the newspaper to hold it down in the wind. By next week it'll be done and that will be nice since we have some muddy spots right now. I changed my mind about using the old carpet out there. It got a little stinky sitting around waiting for wood chips so I pitched it. It's a good thing I've been saving newspaper for a year! Thank you Denver Post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Lots of Roma's this year. They are already big and beefy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> We had to eat a couple a few nights ago, using them for green fried tomatoes. The first green fried tomatoes of the season are always the best. I picked 3 tomatoes for this but only used 2. Sliced very thin they go a long way. So yummy! Super easy to make, here's the recipe!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Fried </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Green Tomatoes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Pick firm green tomatoes, 1 for each person to be served.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1/2 c. or more Flour </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Salt and Pepper to taste</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Skillet </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1/4 c. or more Oil (Canola is good)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">With a mandolin or a very sharp knife, cut the tomatoes very thin. The thinner the better. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Get 2 medium sized plates. On one put flour and salt and pepper, mix well. On the other plate beat an egg with a little milk or water. Get your skillet heated on medium (lower this if it starts to burn while cooking). Stoves are different. Add oil while it's heating. Put your plates next to the stove with the flour closer to the skillet. At this point get another larger plate or platter and put 4 layers of paper towels on it and put it next to the stove as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Take each slice and dip them in egg and then in flour. Carefully put into skillet. Keep an eye on the first ones you put in there, they brown quickly. You'll have to flip them before you're done filling the skillet with the first batch. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">As they finish cooking put them on the platter with paper towels. As soon as you can, taste one and add salt ( if needed). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> After the first batch check your oil, if it's burned at all you should wipe it out and start with fresh oil. Be careful with the hot oil. (This use of oil and the mess keeps me from making these often. We have them maybe 3 times a yr. It's a treat for us.We're trying to cut back on fried foods as well.) Now just try not to eat them all before the family knows what you've made! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> You can do this with zucchini too! When my kids were growing up this is the only way they would eat their zucchini. It tastes very much the same.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>The basil is doing well despite my trimmings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Putting a big saucer of water in the garden has brought the birds
on a daily basis. It’s good for insect control. This pic was taken through the
window. They hung around quite a while and patrolled under the squash. I may
put another one in the tee pee corner of the garden; I seem to have
grasshoppers in that corner, maybe that would help. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJ7Hn7DFusTU7MGg7KvjwQuoEUkEOk01mkdxo0PPKedI3Q4bTVH_IzGWghKScLeFtNl13TRH8UB_0oRcE9q1ugJ3s-wxXsHuSN33p5KplQvO1tDPf8APBdmOVn7b1T8Z5rtCH0Bto2-Q/s1600/July+2013+095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJ7Hn7DFusTU7MGg7KvjwQuoEUkEOk01mkdxo0PPKedI3Q4bTVH_IzGWghKScLeFtNl13TRH8UB_0oRcE9q1ugJ3s-wxXsHuSN33p5KplQvO1tDPf8APBdmOVn7b1T8Z5rtCH0Bto2-Q/s640/July+2013+095.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> The tomato plants are
climbing up the tee pee as well as the green beans that survived the
grasshoppers. I planted more green beans so as to fill in the tee pee a little
better. It’s late to plant but I’ll take a chance. The earlier plantings are up
about half way now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each day I gather the harvest of the day in our tray that Mel's
hubby Greg made for us a couple yrs ago. I use it every day, thanks guys! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCZqC52CoJ5lwmlSel5khok7zdH7fMI_WTrWEY5kFxHMzP5J_PpwyO4TKm0JfJbjN5Zv4qoo4N82paIPgkiikXRfb2GjKWdQpdMm8olFX2zTaIwV9nFbIX3fFDd7cLS8VnWst6fHtcwM/s1600/July+2013+115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCZqC52CoJ5lwmlSel5khok7zdH7fMI_WTrWEY5kFxHMzP5J_PpwyO4TKm0JfJbjN5Zv4qoo4N82paIPgkiikXRfb2GjKWdQpdMm8olFX2zTaIwV9nFbIX3fFDd7cLS8VnWst6fHtcwM/s320/July+2013+115.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Each picture of the tray is one day's harvest. Some purple carrots, snap peas, a couple yellow squash, a couple zucchini, three Roma tomatoes and three cucumbers on this day.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrqCX6GaJ9FPmH-beBGzOJEgLuAzKJDGREEmrVkPnQ7mdXb1wdbfA8quLkk6uRQZ8JYdNUXmQQ4E6AVVn2Mphsn7VaeKY1eKf17P5pbkp_KnFsVWsMZInEVcOZy7M64w89vlxZ_RYagw/s1600/July+2013+116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrqCX6GaJ9FPmH-beBGzOJEgLuAzKJDGREEmrVkPnQ7mdXb1wdbfA8quLkk6uRQZ8JYdNUXmQQ4E6AVVn2Mphsn7VaeKY1eKf17P5pbkp_KnFsVWsMZInEVcOZy7M64w89vlxZ_RYagw/s320/July+2013+116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The corn was ready so I picked it. A tiny ear from a tiny stalk. I read about how to know if corn is ripe. One of the things I learned is that when the corn stands out from the stalk at almost a 90 degree angle, it's ready and it's like it's saying come and pick me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another is to peel back the husk and check the kernels. I thought you could go by the dry silk alone but I guess it's good to check it, as long as you put the husk back so it can keep growing if it needs to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> A little of everything on this day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tomatillos are getting tall. They are just loaded with fruit.
I enjoy the shape of the plants. It grows straight for 12-18” then branches out
into 4 branches. If left alone it balances itself until the fruit get too
heavy. I grew too many in that space last yr. I thinned it out this yr but they
still need more space. I get a kick out of the little balloons with the fruit
inside. We just love the green sauce we get from these! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bob snapped a couple pics of me in the garden. I thought I’d pop
them in. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pwQJbimgSSuIIKFVyB9wfOt-bRlhCTDVKKK54neKKSQexFH4U1Rayzi8AVv3uF_SUZ9kBAmVUHnh4_U_WbCkljXJVHmr_PcEApiUjlhDLJORcWl5HaZA9OLYe_I_mR3wVDiqQYxH0i0/s1600/IMAG0303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pwQJbimgSSuIIKFVyB9wfOt-bRlhCTDVKKK54neKKSQexFH4U1Rayzi8AVv3uF_SUZ9kBAmVUHnh4_U_WbCkljXJVHmr_PcEApiUjlhDLJORcWl5HaZA9OLYe_I_mR3wVDiqQYxH0i0/s640/IMAG0303.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItfDoyUM5RM7dCU-Z-up2IjU4sj2l8Ygj72f6hlr_q00ilMDU_qbmxPmx7Hlptk2xQ7Ml6sG8CtghOSM_StyiaaLAswY_dObLhO43Lst-m1dTs1XH1tq9P-Uv2PHnrRurXtjs_5FH-ug/s1600/IMAG0301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItfDoyUM5RM7dCU-Z-up2IjU4sj2l8Ygj72f6hlr_q00ilMDU_qbmxPmx7Hlptk2xQ7Ml6sG8CtghOSM_StyiaaLAswY_dObLhO43Lst-m1dTs1XH1tq9P-Uv2PHnrRurXtjs_5FH-ug/s640/IMAG0301.jpg" width="358" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"> A cucumber a day keeps the doctor away, or 5 or 6.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/08/homestead-barn-hop-122.html" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="250" src="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Barn-Hop.jpg" title="Barn-Hop" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My story is #168 on this site. It's a fun place to see what others like me are doing.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-92026907470627675352013-06-28T15:48:00.000-07:002013-07-11T15:49:28.458-07:00Summertime Heat is Upon Us<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We're baking here in Broomfield with a high yesterday of 96. Should be close to the same today. I did all my gardening early, as usual, and now it's time to focus on the inside list of things to do.</div>
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A lot has happened since I last wrote. The garden is growing
nicely. Unfortunately, my husband, Bob has a mysterious condition<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">. </span>His whole right leg is numb
and the doctors are still trying to figure out the cause of the numbness. He’s
had difficulty walking without help. We got him a cane but that wasn’t enough.
Yesterday the rollator came that we ordered. It’s like a walker with wheels.
It’s wonderful how it’s helped his mobility. He feels better so I feel better.
Since we don’t know what we’re dealing with yet, we’re just taking it one day
at a time. He did have blood work done and it’s fine so that’s good. I worried
that it might be an autoimmune disease, but it appears that is not the case. He
did have an MRI and it did show some minor things that might be causing the
problem. They also did injections for diagnostic reasons. He has more feeling
in the leg since they did the injections. So now the doctors are trying to
pinpoint the cause so we can start the process of getting better.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you might
imagine, I’ve been busy taking care of Bob and the house and garden. I did want
to catch up a bit today since the garden has grown so much. I just had to take
a little time to share in the progress.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll be eating stir-fry
on the grill tonight! I picked a lot of snap peas this morning.</div>
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I planted more this year than last so we’ll be getting lots
of big harvests! We love to do stir-fry on the grill in my cast iron skillet.
It’s so healthy with a wide range of veggies and we usually throw in some left
over meat from the night before. Like tonight we’ll be eating the left over
steak from last night with lots of snap peas, zucchini, onions, carrots, 3
colors of sweet peppers and mushrooms.A splash of soy sauce as it cooks and it tastes perfect. Yum, I can almost smell it now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsRjFbpoSI4YTKkp-9QZrQcB_T-fUT70dbWAdZHVMDxc-SMqTogQcgpRSILFjVqWQuOcMbWwL8lwnozsgtkTgSU4LeVuSzFeinX7xzC8AXgBYNnW0G4T-3bb-LHeB6vSfJmVSPw3dqUU/s1600/DSCN0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsRjFbpoSI4YTKkp-9QZrQcB_T-fUT70dbWAdZHVMDxc-SMqTogQcgpRSILFjVqWQuOcMbWwL8lwnozsgtkTgSU4LeVuSzFeinX7xzC8AXgBYNnW0G4T-3bb-LHeB6vSfJmVSPw3dqUU/s640/DSCN0135.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The peas are the
only veggie we’ve harvested so far this year, however the plants are all full of
blossoms so it won’t be long. This is a good size bowl and it's nearly half full. Just one days picking!! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0-0Ker8ecuKutqSSMhmkJQiz5_s6xn-fjNP6BOAf1icYGCyH7DVH1QDOu15GLG0_HK62qX1872L6oieQDQUQLtoZ1zYt7osV2GICfKZlWRJl7zvzCUIYAIAf5bFfkX6sBvCar2BKe1E/s1600/June+442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0-0Ker8ecuKutqSSMhmkJQiz5_s6xn-fjNP6BOAf1icYGCyH7DVH1QDOu15GLG0_HK62qX1872L6oieQDQUQLtoZ1zYt7osV2GICfKZlWRJl7zvzCUIYAIAf5bFfkX6sBvCar2BKe1E/s640/June+442.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The cucumbers are spreading out and some are climbing
the trellis. They have masses of blooms so, like last year, we’ll be eating
them daily. I love to pick them when they’re about 8” long. The skin is so
tender you can eat it with no problem. The skin isn’t bitter yet, like they get
when the fruit is big.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioblQ3pbuGn3LtKt7VhivUaHBmPHd5pC_lVU0mjgwg-GSu09TDlYwB_fHvx78hYx2XsKLrKUJRW8CofE3gdNKM4wXfLvRNWC-PL1R6VnPqocj-tbZocnLLQMZsZPnNreL8lf2bs-jyyNM/s1600/June+446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioblQ3pbuGn3LtKt7VhivUaHBmPHd5pC_lVU0mjgwg-GSu09TDlYwB_fHvx78hYx2XsKLrKUJRW8CofE3gdNKM4wXfLvRNWC-PL1R6VnPqocj-tbZocnLLQMZsZPnNreL8lf2bs-jyyNM/s640/June+446.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> We prefer baby veggies; they are more tender and a
pleasure to eat. Besides the more you pick the more your plant will produce. A
lesson learned while growing up in Fort Collins, CO. We had a large garden and
I had to weed a few rows every day before I could go have fun. Now I happily spend several hours, every morning, in the garden. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_CVFA-j4qWjUZllTMlBLCG8X2Y1BOvURdzw7Q50nHYwRP2gmhpVsmel2emwo4E2RI4eQGih1-zDGJ6snucSB34Z9CVxfmfFB2IbRNFz8Hj4yvsq7phZzTZeq0_4thXxyA7na2KgegMM/s1600/June+435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_CVFA-j4qWjUZllTMlBLCG8X2Y1BOvURdzw7Q50nHYwRP2gmhpVsmel2emwo4E2RI4eQGih1-zDGJ6snucSB34Z9CVxfmfFB2IbRNFz8Hj4yvsq7phZzTZeq0_4thXxyA7na2KgegMM/s640/June+435.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The lilies are in bloom.I got these for a couple dollars in the clearance isle at Lowe's a couple years ago.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> I always look there first.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> The lilies started out in a small container. Now they've spread out after being planted in the ground. This is their second summer in this spot. I'll probably separate them and spread them around this fall. They grow so fast, I love it! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6Idw3RPfl6-YB2cp5R0580ccV-t-qfLu228lGgvTsCyhjoPF9VJBRiJOAeBIUepGiyPyFcfGikRVAKDOGqXClCp4S6tPc1A7icps1yn2EWRQOF_Nbey9EpjtXj-10Nv9zdzFrWOx3P0/s1600/June+452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6Idw3RPfl6-YB2cp5R0580ccV-t-qfLu228lGgvTsCyhjoPF9VJBRiJOAeBIUepGiyPyFcfGikRVAKDOGqXClCp4S6tPc1A7icps1yn2EWRQOF_Nbey9EpjtXj-10Nv9zdzFrWOx3P0/s640/June+452.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Look how big the tomatillos have grown! Lots of blooms here too. The blackberry behind it are getting new branches. All of the blackberry plants are getting new growth, even the scrawny one. Here it is below.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CKRSGUTSiVnIpD07aOWpOv4AhYRBBelvNuRsG4leim15oMFRYWSTRzeUGFmupJK7VrODKQMdlaFcWlW1S8E0sKu7hhvTtvv8Ju3KQeGdQDp9nG2J7mZfFkPV6OrnTke6aeU5FYJQvTQ/s1600/June+451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CKRSGUTSiVnIpD07aOWpOv4AhYRBBelvNuRsG4leim15oMFRYWSTRzeUGFmupJK7VrODKQMdlaFcWlW1S8E0sKu7hhvTtvv8Ju3KQeGdQDp9nG2J7mZfFkPV6OrnTke6aeU5FYJQvTQ/s640/June+451.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I hope to plant all these blackberry plants as well as the blueberry bushes in our own yard someday. Until then they can grow in these pots.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NbjXPikWm3uX7ms3Ex0QjGZX6RAUgVkq6jYe5SQJqJV07kfCU_fZr5D7L_xq85fYLbPswLqgCt0csNxpEnHASnZu9916Puf85dSM1h8NwvSlsIY_DdviKamK2vplx1nFAuBHuHWEFLM/s1600/June+450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NbjXPikWm3uX7ms3Ex0QjGZX6RAUgVkq6jYe5SQJqJV07kfCU_fZr5D7L_xq85fYLbPswLqgCt0csNxpEnHASnZu9916Puf85dSM1h8NwvSlsIY_DdviKamK2vplx1nFAuBHuHWEFLM/s640/June+450.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The tomato plants are getting tall with some blooms starting to pop out.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kz_OGRlBeexlACfy_z-5zli1AchD9bG9CgikUPRqzxnECPP9eAq9K-WwXD5kJLB-nSvsnUbf_ODyW9g-irj_4YxjFv-a7HDeUa2yu3Yyi5zu5wUXg36Rub7iu4QAcPOySS2zMffh80I/s1600/June+455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kz_OGRlBeexlACfy_z-5zli1AchD9bG9CgikUPRqzxnECPP9eAq9K-WwXD5kJLB-nSvsnUbf_ODyW9g-irj_4YxjFv-a7HDeUa2yu3Yyi5zu5wUXg36Rub7iu4QAcPOySS2zMffh80I/s640/June+455.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div>
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The squash has really filled out. Three of them have a strange thing going on. The leaves are brown and curling up. I have clay soil under all that compost. I just did some reading and it seems I may be over watering them. The clay holds the moisture so I'll wait 3 days like it said to do and I'll see if that makes a difference. It did say to look for bugs that have bored in at the base of the plant, leaving a little sawdust looking stuff just under the hole or slit. so I'll look for that first and if there is no indication of the bugs, I'll back off on the water. There is always something to learn in the garden!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMxoey5T0cUYFpoAkH2VdaATdsEyFPwpBAXkXN3WZHK7tY6lx2NivlOyMM2QVC89gvhBwax-SwQ3GpDd8DybThHOLjpS5NlNqfd3oS9iJishT4EdAZzAvEE2QTfZ3ROWcQN7-AnpEnJY/s1600/June+464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMxoey5T0cUYFpoAkH2VdaATdsEyFPwpBAXkXN3WZHK7tY6lx2NivlOyMM2QVC89gvhBwax-SwQ3GpDd8DybThHOLjpS5NlNqfd3oS9iJishT4EdAZzAvEE2QTfZ3ROWcQN7-AnpEnJY/s640/June+464.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm still getting used to the rotation of the crops. I got a lot of good deals at Lowe's in the clearance area. </div>
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All the plants in most of the pots around the yard were super cheap. Most are perennials so they'll came back next year. That's a money saver right there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8lryeOrTObx0M8IcZaAvtVRLPMOTkLy5onujthG57ECJkuYQVaGeHrWzkVe2GKVq0CDP_eQphYOGj8QwU0w6p89cja5jUuG-YtAhmBzotRBbRelk1HM6Ij8YDKstgLIFwvzHEd0bn6Y/s1600/June+456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8lryeOrTObx0M8IcZaAvtVRLPMOTkLy5onujthG57ECJkuYQVaGeHrWzkVe2GKVq0CDP_eQphYOGj8QwU0w6p89cja5jUuG-YtAhmBzotRBbRelk1HM6Ij8YDKstgLIFwvzHEd0bn6Y/s640/June+456.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">All the marigolds were being cleared out at the grocery store. I got them for a quarter each! The wave petunias won't come back but they sure put on a nice show.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7AQhV7QlaaEF6InYfy76m45a4InsVvnRr6toKtHvKImqlMNkay6uwEZNFjRpxrsuFZ_dr8dim-sSmfxEpsWLcMCyKZJk5ps1R4P-tF1g9KCZa2Zx-PBTwFeEhxR__OpnINZHm2Pj54k/s1600/June+460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7AQhV7QlaaEF6InYfy76m45a4InsVvnRr6toKtHvKImqlMNkay6uwEZNFjRpxrsuFZ_dr8dim-sSmfxEpsWLcMCyKZJk5ps1R4P-tF1g9KCZa2Zx-PBTwFeEhxR__OpnINZHm2Pj54k/s640/June+460.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I was excited to find some plants that I've always wanted, marked down to 2 or 3 bucks each. With some tender loving care and water these plants usually come back. Usually they've missed a watering and look sad. I always put on my glasses and check them for bugs. I won't bring home new bugs to contend with.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnAE4XdyEsMKcTeia7Rc-hxzb8MEnvrv0DkQ9bUBCmvWWan6u8RqqFdNF9Q6CqkGS1PzYqlig_hTvd9Zq1S0WBpjfQwJfKQAdz61w7q44HQ5lbT0dt9xT8t_SaPc6X958aNNGYpGnddE/s1600/June+476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnAE4XdyEsMKcTeia7Rc-hxzb8MEnvrv0DkQ9bUBCmvWWan6u8RqqFdNF9Q6CqkGS1PzYqlig_hTvd9Zq1S0WBpjfQwJfKQAdz61w7q44HQ5lbT0dt9xT8t_SaPc6X958aNNGYpGnddE/s640/June+476.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Speaking of bugs. I've got earwigs in my corn! Not good. I came out yesterday and found half of the plant was leaning over. I examined the wound at the bend and all these earwigs crawled out. Yuck! I hate those bugs with their little pincher on their butts. So I'll try to find an organic way to deal with that. The corn is also making tassels and ears and it's only a few ft tall. Strange... heat maybe??</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iP9jN2WLB08xYb2D_JCioRi5LH5gAHUjQ0yoRB_SbRgQXWXiKBthhp1I84h_cTfxWEIRw2mhBlgQ63VrMrb5ew2TxJv98YN-iokWmB0i24bP1EA6lxB6zpTXTJMiCa1zYJH7U4Q0ySE/s1600/June+473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iP9jN2WLB08xYb2D_JCioRi5LH5gAHUjQ0yoRB_SbRgQXWXiKBthhp1I84h_cTfxWEIRw2mhBlgQ63VrMrb5ew2TxJv98YN-iokWmB0i24bP1EA6lxB6zpTXTJMiCa1zYJH7U4Q0ySE/s640/June+473.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The carrots and celery are looking healthy. I planted potatoes at the other end of this bed so it just looks like soil right now as I just covered some growth. There will be a mound of soil the by the end of the growing season.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrl5C2JH27Q7z_CCHXcDqTP6G0uOfgbHVqkJj971Sf8IzcigOX_E7d12aqRwVdTgFCVfhqlCkNH6HPJSWoQICMLJ4ReRfAZ0XFNlOFMp0DMmglq6YsCYqHLQTA6fIiP4IWuK19udtLDI/s1600/June+478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrl5C2JH27Q7z_CCHXcDqTP6G0uOfgbHVqkJj971Sf8IzcigOX_E7d12aqRwVdTgFCVfhqlCkNH6HPJSWoQICMLJ4ReRfAZ0XFNlOFMp0DMmglq6YsCYqHLQTA6fIiP4IWuK19udtLDI/s640/June+478.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I planted grass seed on the last patch that didn't have grass in the back yard. It's coming up nicely. It'll be nice to have grass on the entire back yard, where the garden isn't.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHsPvRc1i03QVnq_MmxUB6cuiEIUJBZbroQptIaN8qHnxSbDluo85OhDos8kH7t5mBMUhHNrBtVRApZ86Dk1oChLAmADHn_xlO9zAK-wJM0WJoqcw7Nxl3PtySgkWPgpet3tdV2IQwyA/s1600/June+477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHsPvRc1i03QVnq_MmxUB6cuiEIUJBZbroQptIaN8qHnxSbDluo85OhDos8kH7t5mBMUhHNrBtVRApZ86Dk1oChLAmADHn_xlO9zAK-wJM0WJoqcw7Nxl3PtySgkWPgpet3tdV2IQwyA/s640/June+477.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The Astilbe has just started to bloom. It's a plant that loves water, but the show is worth it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2E7OZUpoNPs9fsiaLRxw3gMBaMdTAPclVfNgukLsYMaIObcJFv0jFhLoTAJ9TvaNlZlZcu8an5X5m8HnjE7smkqlJa5zw4S9EWrK0YtvhyNLfiXQj7D1iK_eKlFmS5XRDut_rj5F4FY/s1600/June+482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2E7OZUpoNPs9fsiaLRxw3gMBaMdTAPclVfNgukLsYMaIObcJFv0jFhLoTAJ9TvaNlZlZcu8an5X5m8HnjE7smkqlJa5zw4S9EWrK0YtvhyNLfiXQj7D1iK_eKlFmS5XRDut_rj5F4FY/s640/June+482.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The birdhouse gourds in the blue pots have grown up the trellis and into the tree. I've never grown these successfully so I'm looking forward to some gourds this year.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4omCCJ3i_tIvsBmDtnNC-Hfku6QSBJwt_0AzvR0nR0qN_WkmWHC0gkh3W-p6rT7AbwiCgmiADPq_mWxumTOf9XLZQgEIRtgLtQ8bFrLrZQqbPHqZeUIRUUGTJwWCbDU0_PJRSDdqwtYk/s1600/June+443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4omCCJ3i_tIvsBmDtnNC-Hfku6QSBJwt_0AzvR0nR0qN_WkmWHC0gkh3W-p6rT7AbwiCgmiADPq_mWxumTOf9XLZQgEIRtgLtQ8bFrLrZQqbPHqZeUIRUUGTJwWCbDU0_PJRSDdqwtYk/s640/June+443.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">A new outdoor rug we got for the back porch so Bob can get some air without putting on shoes. I think it's fun and the splash of color is nice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">It's time to cut the veggies for that stir fry!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/07/homestead-barn-hop-117.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="250" src="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Barn-Hop.jpg" title="Barn-Hop" width="250" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-75059787104469211132013-05-20T10:30:00.002-07:002013-05-20T10:53:53.026-07:00Got the Garden Planted<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Got the garden all planted this past week. I wasn't as ready as I thought I
was. It wasn't as simple as popping the seedlings in. There were weeds to
remove first so the whole thing took all week. It was extra warm, one day
getting up to 91 degrees. The soil here is mostly clay. The amendments I added
last yr seemed to have disappeared amongst all that clay. My garden was a lawn
last spring. It took a lot of work to transform it but the soil needs help. My
big compost bin paid off with wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow full of lovely
compost. I was able to put enough in each bed to give the plants a good start.
In the short beds I added one wheelbarrow full and the longer beds (14' long)
got 2 wheelbarrows full.<br />
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I took the sandbox this year and planted corn in it. I put 4
wheelbarrows full of compost into that bed alone. I still felt like that
wasn't enough, I'm transforming sand into garden soil mind you. So when
I planted the corn, I dug a deep hole and filled it with good soil.
We'll see if that will be enough for them. I'm excited about growing
corn this year. We should get enough to eat and freeze! I planted 36
seedlings so we'll see how much we get from that! Now if you're a
gardener you're thinking why doesn't she add the sand to the beds and
help that clay soil? I did a lot of that last summer but I just don't
have the back to do it this spring.<br />
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This is the bed that I have squash in. Half is zucchini and half summer squash.<br />
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Here's the summer squash. These seeds were started just a couple weeks ago.<br />
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Here's the zucchini squash. We've gotten some heavy rain in the last few days. I only lost one zucchini plant. Luckily I had another one to pop in.<br />
I always hang on to all my extra plants in case I need to replant some.<br />
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Here's a couple of tomato plants. I'm giving them 2 ft between plants this year. I think each plant will get bigger and I should get bigger fruit. Last yr I planted them 1 ft apart and got a lot of small tomatoes.<br />
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Here's the tomato bed, a little in the shade when I went out this morning. It rained last night so everything is happy. They grow so much better on rain water.<br />
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The tee pee is up and doing fine. The green beans are planted but none have come up yet.<br />
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Notice at the corners of each bed I've put long sticks in the ground. That's to keep the hose from getting in the beds and doing damage, while I drag the hose around to water. <br />
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This pic shows the base of the teepee where I dug a trench all the way around, just like last yr. It needs to be dug out every spring. In the course of the year it fills up with dirt and debris. In the middle is a thick layer of wood chips to keep the weeds down and give us a place to walk with no mud.<br />
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Here are the peas and cucumbers. Last year the peas were ahead of the cucumbers in growth. After the peas were done and taken down the cucumbers were trained onto the fence. This yr will be different, they look like they'll be competing for the trellis. <br />
A couple of the cucumbers are already long enough to grab the trellis. They'll just have to share this summer.<br />
We had so many late snowstorms, it kept me from planting peas earlier.<br />
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Here is a tomatillo plant. I gave them more room this yr as well.<br />
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The tomatillos are happy in their bed. There are 10 plants in here.<br />
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This is 1 of three blackberry plants that I got this yr. If this was our own house I would have put them in the ground. This way we can take them with us when we move in a couple yrs. The lattice behind it I made from apple branches a few yrs ago.<br />
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Another blackberry plant. The varieties I got are Apache, Ouachita and Triple Crown. The third plant came all dried out with no leaves so I'm nursing that one along till it gets more leaves.<br />
It will recover but it was definitely stressed. A stressed plant won't give you as much produce.<br />
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Here's a cherry tomato plant that I started indoors at the end of December. It's now on our porch giving us a handful of tomatoes every day!<br />
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These blue pots have birdhouse gourd plants. They'll vine up this trellis and should give us some nice shade.<br />
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I was so excited to find an almond seed in the compost pile that had sprouted! Now I have a little almond tree!! How cool is that!!<br />
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Here's our granddaughter Stella, helping Grandma water the peas.<br />
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Here I'm explaining how the peas will climb up the trellis. The next week when she came she told me, "Peas climb up". She remembers everything. She's on her way to becoming a great gardener!<br />
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Have you planted anything? Let me know!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/05/homestead-barn-hop-112.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="250" src="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Barn-Hop.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Barn-Hop" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/05/homestead-barn-hop-112.html" target="_blank">This story can also be seen at this blog hosting site! My story is #141.</a></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-13511162967858817542013-04-30T17:11:00.002-07:002013-05-03T14:05:44.356-07:00The Easy Way to Make Yogurt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Making
Yogurt</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> I've been making yogurt for a couple
years now. I started making it when I realized how many extra ingredients there
are in store bought yogurt. The super sweet fruit and yogurt were too sweet for
my taste and even with coupons it's still more expensive than making your own.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">I started looking online for recipes
and methods. I found a crock-pot method that wasn't bad. I tried a lot of
different recipes with mostly good results. I tried one where a woman put the
milk in canning jars, then put them in a pan with water and heated it that way.
I did that for several weeks until one of the jars broke in the pan and I
lost 1/4 of my yogurt. I only had one batch I couldn't eat and that's because
I burned it. I've had batches turn out really thick, almost cheese like, I
overcooked that batch. It was still yummy and we ate it as a soft cheese spread
and I still put it in my smoothies. </span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> After much trial and error, I have it
perfected. If you follow this recipe, you will be eating yogurt. What changes
your results is when you change the amounts of milk or yogurt. That's when your
batches may not turn out. Figuring out why is what will make you an expert
yogurt maker. When I first started I got creative and learned a lot!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> What I do now is a culmination of
those recipes and have found what works for me, with the size of pan I use to make
it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> I make a half-gallon or so
every week. I consume most of it myself, in my smoothies that I drink every morning.
I have Stella hooked on smoothies so one day a week she helps me eat some.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I thought I'd do a quick tutorial that might
help some of you get started.</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial;">What You'll Need</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Whole milk (2 quarts or a half gallon) (I've
made it with 2% and it still works fine)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Cup of Plain Yogurt (at least 5.3 oz)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sauce Pan (large enough to have a couple
inches of room at the top for stirring)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Candy Thermometer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Wooden spoon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Containers to store finished yogurt</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> First I start with whole milk, a half
gallon, and pour it in a 3 qt, stainless steel pan. You'll need a good candy
thermometer. With the pan on the stove top, and thermometer clipped on the pan, use medium - medium-high heat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Keep an eye on the thermometer while
stirring gently. Make sure you have a clean, empty sink and run about 4"
of water in it, (depending on the height of your pan). Have some ice or blue
ice (for coolers) on hand. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> When the milk has reached 185 degrees
turn off heat. Carefully carry to the sink and set the pan of milk into
the water. The thermometer usually slides around during the transfer so you may
want to set it to the side for the moment or if you're able to, grab it with a
finger during the transfer. The last option is the one I use because I don't
want to wait for the temp to go back up on it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Now you have the pan in the sink.
Check the level of water compared to the level of the milk. It needs to be even
or as close as possible. This is when you add the blue ice or ice to the water.
Be careful not to splash water into the milk.You can add the lid for a few moments if you're worried. It won't ruin the batch if you
get a little there, but a lot could ruin the batch. Stir the milk while
watching the thermometer. When it comes down to 110 degrees carefully remove it
from the water and set it on the counter. You're done with the thermometer; you
can leave it in the sink.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYj-l4jiD4vrre8OJfjFLOruUcPxAeyDuoSG-WrkqKjKsNuzO4tIoKhN6ZJYEnt_2MMykEArcw4i1icIAohNWqPiPrDE3RoJZG9C9uMZNQeQ00zixQmMfLiRYrOfy53tLGv6BNlq425Y/s1600/DSC05717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYj-l4jiD4vrre8OJfjFLOruUcPxAeyDuoSG-WrkqKjKsNuzO4tIoKhN6ZJYEnt_2MMykEArcw4i1icIAohNWqPiPrDE3RoJZG9C9uMZNQeQ00zixQmMfLiRYrOfy53tLGv6BNlq425Y/s400/DSC05717.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> This is when you add the starter
yogurt. You can use some from a previous batch, saved and frozen right after
it's made. I've done this but I have better luck when I buy a cup of yogurt
from the store. Choose one with no gelatin as it makes it syrupy. Make sure it has
both of the active cultures in it. I've been getting Oikos and I just read the
label and it simply says "active cultures”. I have used it though and it
works great. I get the Greek yogurt and for a size, it says 5.3 oz. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> So now you need to put the yogurt in
the pan of milk, (after scraping the cup to get all of it), stir with a whisk.
Stir until you see no more lumps, little ones are okay.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1zGDUoN1d1w4nTENsa3o-GO4bcvQouZ8veQC31nqE2uV7tRrdTcl3xEDtAQtsCBA7wZ-hP1jKl8MU7lMmC8bcvhC9DsK-zuVwQMbwksWKzDaeX_T9oBsYf8vFg74Na14IB2xk06GQyU/s1600/DSC05719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1zGDUoN1d1w4nTENsa3o-GO4bcvQouZ8veQC31nqE2uV7tRrdTcl3xEDtAQtsCBA7wZ-hP1jKl8MU7lMmC8bcvhC9DsK-zuVwQMbwksWKzDaeX_T9oBsYf8vFg74Na14IB2xk06GQyU/s400/DSC05719.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now put the lid on your
pan. You'll need 2 bath towels to wrap it in. It needs to keep the heat for
several hours so wrap it good. Lay the first towel on the counter and wrap it
up around the pan. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbriE34cfd93y52BpmJidDA6_MMfXS3FKOTZuwzA2U8g1ejnS122O1T9dqu38WLn4eyDZqH-hiv6JcbUEE4BaRHhMzMPVdKWRM0Po03yfZ3QiCJ-Lqo1F3ZaKxm209W3HRWZA4fCtxZDE/s1600/DSC05720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbriE34cfd93y52BpmJidDA6_MMfXS3FKOTZuwzA2U8g1ejnS122O1T9dqu38WLn4eyDZqH-hiv6JcbUEE4BaRHhMzMPVdKWRM0Po03yfZ3QiCJ-Lqo1F3ZaKxm209W3HRWZA4fCtxZDE/s400/DSC05720.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Then take the second towel, which is still folded in
half, and lay it over the top of the pan and tuck it in the best you can.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsEGpJNVtOep4tvBnStrEnVGxdNCuzYektUB_Ug_EjGEdXnSUMWxAXdIraiRfylMoaH1B0_G2eIVoleShLmvXGdssrsfOg29FmEVeKkaCPsmx5OIc3M0fOwM-4YkuH4fMiArtgrzN_fk/s1600/DSC05722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsEGpJNVtOep4tvBnStrEnVGxdNCuzYektUB_Ug_EjGEdXnSUMWxAXdIraiRfylMoaH1B0_G2eIVoleShLmvXGdssrsfOg29FmEVeKkaCPsmx5OIc3M0fOwM-4YkuH4fMiArtgrzN_fk/s400/DSC05722.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> It
needs to sit undisturbed for 6 hrs so choose a spot that is out of the way,
where it won't get bumped.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9604xiiwMsIAZTRfR43jhLPYN5GSJyaZjZ9Lu6Crrfs9u0o76gnIEQAkJcncCGu28e_fkcL3RRY-TQ8Kkt6smIhqzbbT2a3vZz7XBYiP4fyP62VE7O2ZFXFW4aydWC-2vmatTdT_Da4/s1600/DSC05723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9604xiiwMsIAZTRfR43jhLPYN5GSJyaZjZ9Lu6Crrfs9u0o76gnIEQAkJcncCGu28e_fkcL3RRY-TQ8Kkt6smIhqzbbT2a3vZz7XBYiP4fyP62VE7O2ZFXFW4aydWC-2vmatTdT_Da4/s400/DSC05723.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Set your timer for 6 hours and walk away! No need to
do anything to it for 6 hrs. If you check it, you'll release the precious heat
and it won't work as well.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGxFOS76OA-6yHZD_PhCwSZrIDD0b2XjNU0V0DNOXfRHeTb6FTru4DjM8PrSIe62zwTFudNOzUveqlqrSKRj0MJqcn3ZpiKv0WRal7bAeA_6xHsrLuhJFF_3kp6fQFr2TSfnzcNBj-to/s1600/DSC05726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGxFOS76OA-6yHZD_PhCwSZrIDD0b2XjNU0V0DNOXfRHeTb6FTru4DjM8PrSIe62zwTFudNOzUveqlqrSKRj0MJqcn3ZpiKv0WRal7bAeA_6xHsrLuhJFF_3kp6fQFr2TSfnzcNBj-to/s400/DSC05726.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There you are 6 hours later. Beautiful yogurt that I can use in so many ways. I could strain it and make a soft cheese. I can use it in place of sour cream in many recipes.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1z6kZZ_I-9l09tnTlg6pqbpLT5OmgXQbH2wuifSb9qEen09a661Agwv8fwlJZGJeYhHWNwRmoWFYwho3lPH-QljWAJgAJVXEooWCbTXGnHJHU0A0kunXTBBnr0vFiXjXn0hZiW8t4aoI/s1600/DSC05728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1z6kZZ_I-9l09tnTlg6pqbpLT5OmgXQbH2wuifSb9qEen09a661Agwv8fwlJZGJeYhHWNwRmoWFYwho3lPH-QljWAJgAJVXEooWCbTXGnHJHU0A0kunXTBBnr0vFiXjXn0hZiW8t4aoI/s400/DSC05728.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'll let it cool a bit, then cover and store it in the back of the frig, on the lowest shelf. It thickens as it cools.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It lasts a couple weeks but never makes it that long at our house.</span><br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-18483003298422588092013-04-29T12:14:00.000-07:002013-05-01T12:47:05.943-07:00New Peas Trellis<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WEyyV-vb3E_lW24wj84YsBzAJ_IKF5A7eHMr04_enUcMD2STKtVi_gY8aEq7JihOPvikqYm9z_0_zfRTHfFxtgXAWXT2CNovKv_OVw67yVFis_u0rr_mYs6Ks5dGC3j4_o4n59PWeac/s1600/DSC05711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WEyyV-vb3E_lW24wj84YsBzAJ_IKF5A7eHMr04_enUcMD2STKtVi_gY8aEq7JihOPvikqYm9z_0_zfRTHfFxtgXAWXT2CNovKv_OVw67yVFis_u0rr_mYs6Ks5dGC3j4_o4n59PWeac/s320/DSC05711.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I made a new trellis for the peas. I used a
longer raised bed for them this year. After growing them last year, we decided
we need more peas! This is our new trellis made with bamboo and plant nets and zip ties.</span></span><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> This is a 14 ft raised
bed. I bought a package of 25, <span style="font-size: small;">6</span> ft bamboo posts. It took 17 to complete this.
I also bought 2 plant nets that are 5 ft x 15 ft. It was a foot too long so I
just twisted it along the end posts. I didn't like buying matierials for a
trellis, since I've been making them out of apple branches for years. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClfhpLvKqqq6zbAoiHrU3xOJOIp7LRNWwOaZNslJN0djzTYRo4hSHDkT8uwgUCko3gx9TwXgyE8X8FjhKTmnMq7TUQuNujzt0-YQC5bCp8WbD9lMh21vjzpA7jJD1TTh-0QPVL11AzeE/s1600/DSC05713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClfhpLvKqqq6zbAoiHrU3xOJOIp7LRNWwOaZNslJN0djzTYRo4hSHDkT8uwgUCko3gx9TwXgyE8X8FjhKTmnMq7TUQuNujzt0-YQC5bCp8WbD9lMh21vjzpA7jJD1TTh-0QPVL11AzeE/s320/DSC05713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Unfortunately my supply of branches has </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">diminished and
I don't have enough for this</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> project. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> To
build it I first pushed the bamboo poles into the ground about 6" at he
right angle for the two pieces on the end to cross in the middle at the top. After securing the fr<span style="font-size: small;">ame I attached the net on each side. I <span style="font-size: small;">zipped both sides of the net at the same time to save zip ties,(at the top).</span></span> The net loops around the bamb<span style="font-size: small;">oo at the top <span style="font-size: small;">to hold it while I secured i<span style="font-size: small;">t.</span></span></span> I did
this mostly by myself so it can be done with one person. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It took a lot </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">of zip ties. </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQGODO1SMHfOnX_I4Fq6CA1PP3Dw6qG0te9cMCDrqoqesESz-hYhzP6G6hEly3LhUJfUsMI1xL02rNLqshz0GKU0VoJFbk8gTIfXGmabuepfc_IRjwIpVPKM-LnS6EufvRy0n39y-IdI/s1600/DSC05712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQGODO1SMHfOnX_I4Fq6CA1PP3Dw6qG0te9cMCDrqoqesESz-hYhzP6G6hEly3LhUJfUsMI1xL02rNLqshz0GKU0VoJFbk8gTIfXGmabuepfc_IRjwIpVPKM-LnS6EufvRy0n39y-IdI/s320/DSC05712.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are 3 poles across the top and 3 on each side. <span style="font-size: small;">T</span>hey overlap so I secured them with zip ties.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d2VB-x5gAkq0fGynnoET6PpnzBSlAayY_rjuLYKUbd5h43hWXGnGJmOGk0HJyy5CaNz-eCDUCzQEHhO99iqlY3-zdAvdQ3vdS452lA4eSa-xqDeE96-qUTR32T3E1OorzMdpuDgT9bw/s1600/DSC05709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d2VB-x5gAkq0fGynnoET6PpnzBSlAayY_rjuLYKUbd5h43hWXGnGJmOGk0HJyy5CaNz-eCDUCzQEHhO99iqlY3-zdAvdQ3vdS452lA4eSa-xqDeE96-qUTR32T3E1OorzMdpuDgT9bw/s320/DSC05709.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The plants are doing nicely in the little
greenhouse. I was able to bring them out to the greenhouse for a few days to get
some sun. It's supposed to get cold again tonight, with snow tomorrow, so I'll
probably bring them in. I've left a lamp in the bottom of the greenhouse at
night to provide some heat. They would probably be okay left in there but I don't
want to take any chances. Sometimes it gets colder than they predict.
I've worked too hard to have them frozen now. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4qbJ4u3Zq24Oj272XF-QCuKFRxVP1cYP53jFA2wZxVIvo-EwBGHCrFeQaCbDpNDEPh8kcIWzOkFRc317zsi_-SlYzVpXMQA-KbXyUbRCPQfZ3-_tKsEXNECmFYQw27avaoUSIwk8HsU/s1600/DSC05708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4qbJ4u3Zq24Oj272XF-QCuKFRxVP1cYP53jFA2wZxVIvo-EwBGHCrFeQaCbDpNDEPh8kcIWzOkFRc317zsi_-SlYzVpXMQA-KbXyUbRCPQfZ3-_tKsEXNECmFYQw27avaoUSIwk8HsU/s320/DSC05708.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Last year I grew catnip and started it in the
greenhouse. Zel<span style="font-size: small;">da </span> our younger kitty would climb up in the greenhouse and eat it
as fast as it came up. I haven't gotten any planted for them this year yet,
shame on me. She keeps checking the greenhouse every day and almost ate spinach
yesterday, which I wouldn't mind. As long as she's healthy. I'm getting seeds today for the kitties!!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I started some flowers that are also coming up! I'<span style="font-size: small;">m really excited about that. Lots of herbs as well, I'm looking forward to some pesto!</span></span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/04/homestead-barn-hop-109.html" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Barn-Hop.jpg" class="decoded" src="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Barn-Hop.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/04/homestead-barn-hop-109.html" target="_blank">This story can also be viewed at this great website! My story is # 166</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-77277255333527175092013-04-29T09:50:00.001-07:002013-04-29T09:55:00.967-07:00Making the Best Chicken Broth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I made a big batch of broth and wanted to show you what it looks like after cooking for 3 days.<br />
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In this picture I have removed the bones and any big parts by scooping them out with a large slotted spoon. I let it boil for a couple hours more to reduce the liquid and concentrate the chicken broth.<br />
The original post about making this wonderful broth is the post before this one titled, <u> Had to Bring the Plants Inside</u><a href="http://jodysrecreations.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"></a> <br />
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I then strained the broth.<br />
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This is an 8 qt pot and it's nearly full. Notice the nice dark color. I've had other batches turn out darker because I used more bones. The more bones you use, the darker the broth.<br />
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These containers hold 3 cups each. So as you can see I got 27 cups of broth. I've already used the cubes to make soup for Stella, my grand daughter.<br />
I also used one of the containers for some quick soup for Bob and I. I use these weekly. We love it for gravy. It makes the most flavorful gravy!!<br />
The cubes are handy for doing a saute on a couple chicken breasts. It adds a great deal of flavor. Have you noticed the new flavor cubes that they are selling in the market? You can make your own!<br />
Start saving those bones!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-29975300852982684212013-04-18T12:04:00.001-07:002013-04-19T07:53:38.813-07:00Had to Bring the Plants Inside<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">We have gotten several big snowstorms. The
yard has about 18" of snow and the temps have dropped below freezing
several nights. If you click on the picture, you can see an orange 5-gallon
bucket, that's almost buried!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">When it started getting cold we still had the plants in the
greenhouse. Then I added a 60-watt bulb in a lamp at the bottom of the
greenhouse. It was keeping it about 10 degrees warmer than the outside air with
no harm to the plants.</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Then we got the snow and it got much colder. I had to bring the plants
inside till it warms up a bit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> The plants are coming up nicely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Here are some cucumbers and on the right tomatillos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here are some tomatoes, (the pic to the right).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I planted mostly Roma's with some beefsteak and cherry tomatoes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Here is the spinach, very cute, curly leaves. I'm hoping to keep
this alive all summer, cutting only the outside leaves for eating.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Here is my corn. Yes, I know corn is usually sewn outside but I see it
in the nurseries so why can't I do it? I'll get a longer growing season that
way. That doesn't mean that much for corn, it has no trouble reproducing within
our growing season. It's more important for watermelons and celery, crops that
take longer to produce usable food. When you live in an area that limits your
growing time, it's good to start veggies early to insure you'll actually get a
crop. I like to plant everything I can in trays, including carrots, which are
usually sewn outdoors. I break the rules sometimes, when it comes to planting.
If I can make it work, why not? Pushing the boundaries, that what we gardeners
do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">They were all planted the same day, April 5.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Unfortunately these got dry and the cucumbers in the back are wilted.
These in the front need to be transplanted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_CjGEpHi1UZyDlPxLJT5MsVcQtSOglKbpT2AaQSw2rfa1ej61M36EqvHA-jhpqnDlL1wHDB5P8N20i3hstK_4OnUp49UJSwkrVvZxNprmD72gBebfnKwr7TNXzu3OAiYu4ZwoORGhTk/s1600/DSC05681.JPG" style="float: right;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> These are purple carrots and red carrots. I thought some
multicolored carrots would be fun this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The celery is in this tray, next to the cucumber, and is starting to come up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> These are the cucumbers that were in the tray above, all
transplanted. Some of the holes had two plants so I ended up with 16 healthy
little plants. Back under the lights with you! I wish I had a light stand to
give them all some light. The natural light from outside will take over once it
warms up and I can put them back out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> I've got a huge pot of chicken stock boiling on the stove. Perfect
activity for a snowy few days, besides baking of course. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I save chicken bones and parts like the back that we don't cook. I throw
them in a big zip type bag and freeze them until I have 3 or 4 chicken’s
worth of parts. I cook it 3 days and end up with broth that looks like beef
broth it's so rich. The recipes that I make with this broth have so much flavor
that it inspires me to do it this way again. It's so worth the work!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNRip_631eoI-s8VavWZz9iSYUyWXRYg0gFepte4-f8jED_gD7Fj6dA9xh5Jvv9IjCu21J7tcM2XYMZVWm7X7ARJw95sqk1T5Eh8iYw74KMdllNSdo0qitEgf0elMfbIqrbm2S6IaMHU/s1600/DSC05665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNRip_631eoI-s8VavWZz9iSYUyWXRYg0gFepte4-f8jED_gD7Fj6dA9xh5Jvv9IjCu21J7tcM2XYMZVWm7X7ARJw95sqk1T5Eh8iYw74KMdllNSdo0qitEgf0elMfbIqrbm2S6IaMHU/s320/DSC05665.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The pot on the left is the pot I started with. It usually takes this
plus my big crock-pot to do this much broth. This time I thought I'd just use
this big canner and finally have enough room for enough water.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So let me first say that many people say that you only need a couple of
hours to make broth. I have made broth in a couple hours and it's fine, but
that's it, just fine. Not nearly as flavorful as this method, which I read
somewhere and can't remember where.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">You can do this with as many chickens worth of bones as you have, one is
easy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Put all the frozen chicken parts and bones into your pot and cover with
water. You need a couple of inches at the top for boiling so don't fill it too
full, like the smaller pot above. Add veggies next, I used about 6 carrots, 3
onions, 3 stalks of celery, a head and a half of garlic, 4 mushrooms, a couple
bay leaves and salt and seasoned pepper.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSp1b98pBR8TnmO24G1m8GdxjPq1UIVIKNF2NK27Fdx3fhOseseXnSVZO0brRw1anxVKURwSc4zctSOqYBBCA7x288RJtLPXSOA3sTKBdPmt7RnQDA6C1BJe_DZH6_RAG0EEGDKZ2cG6I/s1600/DSC05671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSp1b98pBR8TnmO24G1m8GdxjPq1UIVIKNF2NK27Fdx3fhOseseXnSVZO0brRw1anxVKURwSc4zctSOqYBBCA7x288RJtLPXSOA3sTKBdPmt7RnQDA6C1BJe_DZH6_RAG0EEGDKZ2cG6I/s320/DSC05671.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Bring it to a full boil then turn it down 1 or 2 notches so as to keep
the boil active. Now walk away and do your other chores. When you walk through
the kitchen and notice the water level has gone down a couple inches, then add
water to your original line. It's not something that needs to be timed. It can
boil down a great deal; just add water when you notice. (Please don't leave the
house with this cooking unless you put it in a crock pot.) At night I turn off the heat and let it set on the stove or set it in the garage with the lid, because it's cold in there right now, then just turn on the heat when I get up. What makes this
better than most is the boiling down and adding of water. Each time it does
that, it makes the broth richer, with more flavors. It really works! What I
like to do after the 3 days, is to strain all the bones and stuff out of it and
cook it down even more, concentrating the flavor even more. You can skip this
step but if you do your broth won't taste as good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I usually freeze my broth in plastic bowls. I like to put some in ice
cube trays, pop them out and keep in a bag in the freezer, for the times you
only need a couple tablespoons of broth. This is the fastest soup maker ever. Throw
the block of broth in a pan and while it's heating up you can cut up your
favorite veggies, noodles, rice, tofu or whatever, throw them in and you have
soup that tastes like it cooked all day. It's a great way to clean out the frig;
just throw in your leftovers with some broth! It's a wonderful thing to
have on hand. My granddaughter loves soup so I can make her some, very easily,
in just a few minutes (3 ice cube broths, tofu, peas and some noodles and she's
a happy camper).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So my 3 days has begun. I'll show you how it turns out with an update. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-40937898268117503462013-04-01T16:09:00.000-07:002013-04-15T16:04:05.140-07:00Mini Greenhouse Update!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> This spring will be the third spring that
I've used this little greenhouse. I'm happy to report that I get a 6-week head
start by using this little rolling greenhouse, with no added heat. The sun
alone heats this little wonder.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I built it, I built a rack inside that holds 8 trays of
plants. That's enough to start my vegetables, herbs and some flowers. The
windows actually still open, for extra ventilation. I haven't had to use them much
as it's easier to prop open the door when it gets too hot. I keep a thermometer
in there to keep it at a nice temp for the baby plants. For this unit, 85
degrees is the hottest I let it get. Any hotter than that, the babies will
wilt.</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still have the plastic over each end at the roof. I opted to
keep that in order to give more light to the plants on the top shelf. I did
make a small slit in the plastic for hot air to escape. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I replaced the
plastic this year, curious squirrels got in there over the winter. I pulled everything
out of it today and washed it down, inside and out, with soapy vinegar water.
After that I hosed it down and wiped the windows and now it’s propped open to
dry out. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZ91_VaMpTcpKs3r2erGZHH5lEOLBU6mYDC8R5sCKs4wE9fOCCXl6GwbVYeNIyrGOKuSlGGjrYm0kwfq55emtHSXvtRn08dAWkFxLf-89Bj_qdV6nfh4hSXqDBabchbKCqt9P0Pi42x4/s1600/DSC05617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZ91_VaMpTcpKs3r2erGZHH5lEOLBU6mYDC8R5sCKs4wE9fOCCXl6GwbVYeNIyrGOKuSlGGjrYm0kwfq55emtHSXvtRn08dAWkFxLf-89Bj_qdV6nfh4hSXqDBabchbKCqt9P0Pi42x4/s320/DSC05617.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now to grab my seeds, which
I’ve spread out over the table to admire and plan, on many occasions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Some seeds I’ll sow directly
into the garden such as: peas (sugar pod and regular), green beans (pole), both
squashes (zucchini and yellow straight neck), both kinds of potato (russet and
sweet potato) and garlic (The garlic should have gone in last fall.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdibgrNOIQH904SyqJiCXQEmItKNslWZvOiNcVRc-s5bsTbJE6z-aNoi8tj8WLWVaBccV9asp3ePati_brCk6OyPeJbt3ePVAQwdgw3IfFww9IKJXOqOSXPs88Aq_iqMfs1F6PhMJeGso/s1600/DSC05619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdibgrNOIQH904SyqJiCXQEmItKNslWZvOiNcVRc-s5bsTbJE6z-aNoi8tj8WLWVaBccV9asp3ePati_brCk6OyPeJbt3ePVAQwdgw3IfFww9IKJXOqOSXPs88Aq_iqMfs1F6PhMJeGso/s320/DSC05619.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> I plant my
veggies first to make sure I have enough trays. Now to empty all the soil out
of the trays and give them a wash with the hose. Let them dry a bit, then fill
with new soil, get the soil wet and then plant those seeds! Water them in very
gently, for tiny seeds use a spray bottle set on mist. Put the tops on the
trays and pop them into the greenhouse! In 6 weeks we’ll have plants ready to
transplant into the garden. It only cost me the price of seeds and some care. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvQOqZ4ABpQeZMW9GmHurm3tVx6yYn7dZVudlHP4K37jMVFGZwuoohz0UhmNuShpixEO2KjzhE9QuZ96Znw0xQe47glG95liwxKZ3rilNJLGuxbgny-TdbH4Rc_j3d1JzqsQCnEHoD-E/s1600/DSC05618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvQOqZ4ABpQeZMW9GmHurm3tVx6yYn7dZVudlHP4K37jMVFGZwuoohz0UhmNuShpixEO2KjzhE9QuZ96Znw0xQe47glG95liwxKZ3rilNJLGuxbgny-TdbH4Rc_j3d1JzqsQCnEHoD-E/s320/DSC05618.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bought my seeds from Victory Seeds this year. They are
dedicated to saving heirloom seeds and I admire them for that. I have some left over from previous yrs as well as some that were given to me. First I’ll use
my partially used packages from last year. Most of the new ones will get used.
I also got some free seeds from my friend Melodee. A friend of hers gave her a
bunch and Mel passed it along, nice, thanks Mel!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thinking about growing some veggies in the front yard this
year. Some gourds and pumpkin would cover the front yard nicely. You see our
front yard looks much like the back yard did before I changed it. It’s barren
with a couple of big pine trees, a couple of stumps and lots of bind weed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> <u>Bindweed</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Oh,
I could do a whole page on bindweed. Let me just say that there was so much of
it in the back yard that I pulled a 5 gallon bucket full every day for 6 wks
and still never got rid of it all. Seems like a lot? I thought so too! I ended
up with trigger thumb and finger from it, which has not healed yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It comes back, with a vengeance so there’s
no way to actually get rid of it (I won’t use poisons, especially near the garden). What I did held it at
bay for the summer. I cleared it, then layered a thick layer of overlapping
newspaper over it, then covered it with about 4” of wood chips. This year we’re
going to do something different. I’ve done this in the past so I know it works.
We pulled some old carpet out of the basement but instead of throwing it away,
I’ll rake back the wood chips, put the carpet down and cover with wood chips.
It makes for a bouncy path, until it settles in, but it really works. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>Free Wood Chips</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want free wood chips like we got, contact your local tree
service businesses and see if they do this free service and if they do, give
them your phone number. I went to craigslist and entered free wood chips in the
search box. There were 3 businesses advertising a free delivery of wood chips.
They’ll drop off a load when they are in the area. They don’t know when that
will be so you have to be ready to work when the truckload of wood chips comes.
I got a call one day and Charley is looking for our house! He’s on his way,
ready or not! That’s what you sign up for when you give them your number. It’s
a whole truckload too, that’s the thing that’s held me back from doing this in
the past. This year I decided I needed more wood chips, crazy woman, so I just
emailed the same company again. I’ll be ready this time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got a load last spring and the pile was big, but looked
do-able. We couldn’t get to it for a few days, which ended up being a bad
thing. The leaves in it started to heat up and mold. If we had taken care of it
the first few days after it came it would have been fine, the leaves would have
dried out in the pathways, but we had no choice. It took several days for the 2
of us to move that truckload to the back yard. It took over a hundred
wheelbarrows full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bob ended up
breaking out in a full body rash because he’s really allergic to mold. I’m also
allergic but not nearly to the degree he is. So I finished it up and have
beautiful garden paths because of it. The leaves in it slowly dried up and
turned to dust. All that’s left is the wood chips. Bags of wood chips would
have been easier but would have cost much more than free! The man that emailed
me, from the tree service, said they have wood chips at their “yard”. So if you
have a truck, going and picking some up yourself may be a better way for you if
you don’t need so much. A good source if you’re doing some work in your yard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At our last house the greenhouse was sitting outside, tucked
under the eaves in the winter. The snow took its toll on the roof windows. They
didn’t drain well. It didn’t do any permanent damage but it has made me rethink
the roof. I have plans to put a couple of plexiglass panels on a wood frame, up
there to serve as the new roof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The snow
would slide right off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not such a
problem here at our new house. It sits on a covered patio with greenhouse
material roof; so filtered light still gets in. The weather has been gentle to
it the last 2 winters. I could put plastic over the roof windows. It would
hardly be noticeable and would serve the purpose and still keep the windows for
the roof.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dY_7o6EiJHDyzIZ83lQyFqQdD2Yqg2FvdhkO__zNHTehWmMawPWRwGh7dBxzUW0Dqzh3KoosyWYF9cRq3w7srTN1r_vkcJcsGE314ln7ljiG310Z3Tw-0GzeoEzrWrt6PyZUprYqh3w/s1600/DSC05613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dY_7o6EiJHDyzIZ83lQyFqQdD2Yqg2FvdhkO__zNHTehWmMawPWRwGh7dBxzUW0Dqzh3KoosyWYF9cRq3w7srTN1r_vkcJcsGE314ln7ljiG310Z3Tw-0GzeoEzrWrt6PyZUprYqh3w/s320/DSC05613.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gets most of the light it needs from between the garage and the
patio. The greenhouse sits on the south side of the patio. I turn the
greenhouse at least once a day to get all the plants covered. You wouldn’t
think there would be enough light there because in addition there is a tree
there. Fortunately at this time of year it hasn’t gotten its leaves yet so
there is still enough light. By the time the leaves are actually causing shade,
my veggies will be in the garden. So you people out there using light, or a
lack of light, as an excuse not to grow something let me tell you, you can grow
more than you think! Just start with something easy like lettuce or spinach in
a pot on your porch. The important thing is to start!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s nice to have it just outside the back door. It makes it easy
to check it. The wheels are great!! If I made another one I’d put bigger wheels
on it, but these work really well. The have a locking position so I can put it
where I want it and lock the wheels. This is handy if you have an uneven patio.
At the last house we had a shady patio, but the sun would peek in at certain
times of day. I wheeled it around a lot at that house, following the sun. Still
got my 6 weeks, even with that little bit of extra work, so worth it!!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4BZQXtkp0GpC-WiNL8wAkOxb-ymwQHPYknZBowJvyCWhWCONexzb-oqS3JmgxhnjCXVNoaRtWX4HhVXQFTcxEV6iBQaI5O3YaSqWtCXb3EOEA_RqtQw14XA65G2UN7hRROtHOG2gR1w/s1600/DSC05622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4BZQXtkp0GpC-WiNL8wAkOxb-ymwQHPYknZBowJvyCWhWCONexzb-oqS3JmgxhnjCXVNoaRtWX4HhVXQFTcxEV6iBQaI5O3YaSqWtCXb3EOEA_RqtQw14XA65G2UN7hRROtHOG2gR1w/s320/DSC05622.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These just need to be soaked, then planted.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I made this greenhouse I worried that it would be hard to
move. When we moved we hired movers, and 2 guys were able to carry it from the
back yard to the sidewalk in the front yard, then it just rolled into the
truck. Then they carried it into the new back yard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, today I plant my seeds!! Like every gardener, I’ve been
waiting all winter for this! This year my new veggie to grow is celery. Should
be fun. They have a long growing season so I need to get busy planting!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here’s a list of veggies and
herbs that we’ll be growing this year:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;">Basil</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Carrots<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Celery</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Chives</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Cucumbers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Garlic</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Green Beans</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Lettuce</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Parsley</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Peas<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 kinds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Potatoes<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 kinds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Squash<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 kinds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Scallions</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Spinach</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thyme</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Tomatoes<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3 kinds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Tomatillos</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also bought some flower seeds but there usually isn’t room for
more than a tray of flowers in the greenhouse. They usually end up in one of the many pots we have. I collect seeds every year so I
have plenty of free flower seeds that I plant everywhere. Lots of marigolds, sunflowers, hollyhocks and daisy's to name a few.
The marigolds keep bad bugs away and they bring the bees I can’t stress enough how
important it is to have flowers in the garden to draw the bees. Without bees we
have no food.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I save flower seeds everywhere I go. I carry extra Kleenex, which
makes a nice bundle for a handful of seeds that I collect on a walk. I have to
write on it what kind of flower it is when I get home, or at least what it
looks like, and a height helps later as well. I can’t tell you how many times
I’ve forgotten that bundle in my pocket only to find it weeks later, leaving me
to wonder what kind of seeds they are. So as you might guess I have some seeds
I’m not sure about. That’s okay, I plant a few every year, so they’re not just
gathering dust. I only save seed from flowers I like so I'm safe to just plant them in a pot till I see what I have, then find a spot for it or leave it in the pot to move around for color and bees.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as I love flowers and realize the value they have as well,
growing food is still more important. We grow as much as we can in the space we
have. We just found out we’ll be on water restriction this summer. Good thing I
have raised beds, it really saves on water. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My granddaughter, Stella is
almost 2 and loves gardening with Grandma Jody.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The green bean tee pee will
be even more fun this year. I’m looking forward to sharing my garden with my
family this year. They love watching it grow and are very excited when they get
their weekly bag of goodies. If we lived closer to my kids in CA, they would
get to enjoy it too. They grew up gardening and as a result my daughter,
Heather, grows her own veggies. I love passing that passion for gardening on to
another generation. It’s part of who I am, and teaching others about it ensures
a piece of me will live on forever. I kind of love that.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/04/homestead-barn-hop-107.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="250" src="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Barn-Hop.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Barn-Hop" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/04/homestead-barn-hop-107.html" target="_blank">This blog can also be viewed at The Homestead Barn Hop My story is # 117</a><br />
Check out this site, she has a lot of good info!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-6505957412208350142013-03-22T10:00:00.000-07:002013-04-01T16:17:38.331-07:00Mini Greenhouse For Practical Use<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This was written 3 yrs ago. The update is above. <br />
<br />
I needed a place to start vege's so I collected free windows from craigslist. It had a wooden roof at first till I got more windows. Now it has windows for a roof. I put heavy plastic on either end at the peak to hold in heat. I built a frame inside to hold trays of plants. One window serves as a door. It's on wheels that can be locked. I roll it around the patio to follow the sun. We're renting here so I wanted to make something we could take with us. Still needs to be painted, Instead of the plastic I'll put bead board with a vent. For now it's very functional. My vege's are doing well in there, it's almost time to plant!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-25772533492754344882013-03-14T16:26:00.001-07:002013-03-14T16:31:58.924-07:00Hard Lotion and Body Butter Recipes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yuRRrx-j7w_DY7T6MZF96QU0vxmtAeJd2eOaguDfh90ChDfxfzaWfljwp1GmPqh1Q6PClikaXFg_yTW58Dw4pxRo4CyShgj2QIcsQ5mHxQngBnFnfy24daI3PkdvCp8JhpI6uurSjOg/s1600/DSC05542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yuRRrx-j7w_DY7T6MZF96QU0vxmtAeJd2eOaguDfh90ChDfxfzaWfljwp1GmPqh1Q6PClikaXFg_yTW58Dw4pxRo4CyShgj2QIcsQ5mHxQngBnFnfy24daI3PkdvCp8JhpI6uurSjOg/s320/DSC05542.JPG" width="240" /></a> Hi, I'm Jody and I have dry skin. I've been working on lotion and
potions for a few years now, trying to find something that will keep my
skin soft for 24 hours. I didn't like all the chemicals that are added
to store bought lotions so I set out to make my own. Several years later
and many recipes under my belt I thought it was time to share so we can
all have soft skin!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ01q6mcJSK3sg8F_LaPKrpXjAyFUHVwdCZs32bUxreWkRakKMsXmm_P6nFznAPJC4-oYMOW7YkTxRDWImIvgs-7BxrzMD2YE4oEwvkDoQHhfup9E63KnRFkGov6HR74QEHFJJqap4BA8/s1600/DSC05453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ01q6mcJSK3sg8F_LaPKrpXjAyFUHVwdCZs32bUxreWkRakKMsXmm_P6nFznAPJC4-oYMOW7YkTxRDWImIvgs-7BxrzMD2YE4oEwvkDoQHhfup9E63KnRFkGov6HR74QEHFJJqap4BA8/s320/DSC05453.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I made hard lotion for
friends and family for Christmas with lip balm to match. A very simple recipe
that anyone can make. I sell these on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/123716268/hard-lotion-2-oz-bar-in-hindged-tin?" target="_blank">etsy.com</a> if you want to see how they
turned out. </div>
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I had to laugh when my supplies came, the coconut oil is in a gallon jug, but solid. I had to set it on a heater vent to thaw it so I could pour it!It took 2 days!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQuNbtMVptSjl1TRb8h324SWzZ1WY5pBb3NQpDvx55tAaJFGNcNAtrlubcyExJleNnMsJhhW6OmI7SbRp8dOA9qGkMmOoRtuMb6Xfy0KTZ0N5kSHImSI2e1I8H6P_L9lsybhiSQZqq8g/s1600/DSC05454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQuNbtMVptSjl1TRb8h324SWzZ1WY5pBb3NQpDvx55tAaJFGNcNAtrlubcyExJleNnMsJhhW6OmI7SbRp8dOA9qGkMmOoRtuMb6Xfy0KTZ0N5kSHImSI2e1I8H6P_L9lsybhiSQZqq8g/s320/DSC05454.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>Hard Lotion</u></b></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coconut oil</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shea butter</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cocoa butter </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beeswax</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scent</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
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Put equal amounts of each in double
boiler and melt. Add scent if you wish. Pour into molds and let harden. I’ve
used lots of different things for molds. Those oval Easter egg dye kits with
several oval bowls works really nice. Look around your home, lots of things
will work. My favorite is a Rubbermaid container for food with compartments.
You can put them in the freezer to speed up the process. It takes about 20-30
min to cool. When the hard lotion begins to shrink away from the sides it’s
time to pop them out. Just flip them over and knock it on the counter, (I put down some waxed paper). They
always pop right out, unless they need to cool more. I used this same recipe
for the lip balm plus I added Peppermint flavor.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5I8dnyIwxm20PfjIH43IbJxz5l1EssP-ezVlAKXewmyhZbRRIwSV_t7wKCBbZi2MDJv6TxOOFkNXe815tLq1c-sK31B-F8Rz-8zKbU0yb7kBMzviFHjhupSvnOEaYmv5aK70h7G-acbU/s1600/DSC05539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5I8dnyIwxm20PfjIH43IbJxz5l1EssP-ezVlAKXewmyhZbRRIwSV_t7wKCBbZi2MDJv6TxOOFkNXe815tLq1c-sK31B-F8Rz-8zKbU0yb7kBMzviFHjhupSvnOEaYmv5aK70h7G-acbU/s320/DSC05539.JPG" width="320" /></a>Since I’ve used this for a few
months now I have to say I really like it (and it’s still the best choice in
hot climates), except that it takes a while to melt in my hand after a shower.
If I’m in a hurry it’s a challenge with the hard lotion. So I’ve been working
on a new recipe for body butter. I love this body butter! I can slather it on
quickly and it keeps my skin just as soft as the bar. I have super dry skin and
it really helps. Since I’ve been making lotions and such for a few years now
I have all these ingredients. You don’t have to add them all. You can just
stick to the oils and butters and yours will come out wonderful. After learning
about this craft I’ve been able to save money on lotion. I'll be putting the body butter on etsy soon. </div>
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<h2 style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><u>Body Butter</u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h2>
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<br /></div>
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¼ c. Beeswax</div>
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¼ c.Cocoa butter </div>
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¼ c. Shea butter</div>
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¼ c. Almond oil</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 T. Coconut oil</div>
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1 ½ T Jojoba oil</div>
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½ t. Lecithin</div>
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1 t. Lanolin</div>
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1 capsule Marshmallow Root</div>
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Scent</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Melt all ingredients in a double boiler. Stir until
mixed. Remove from heat. Add fragrance. Mix with a wire whisk until smooth. Let
cool for 10 min and whisk again. Let cool 10 more min. and whisk a third time.
Scoop into container of your choice. Should last several months. This lasts
longer than homemade lotion because it has no water. My new favorite! I even
use it on my face. My last batch I used Warm Vanilla Sugar scent and it’s
wonderful! The scent that I used is highly concentrated so I had to experiment
to find the right amount for me. I found many of the products I use at <a href="http://www.bulkapothecary.com/categories/fragrance-flavor.html" target="_blank">BulkApothecary. </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Makes about 4 bars, depending on your mold capacity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span>
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Next, I think I’ll
focus on making soap, shampoo and healing balms. It's always an adventure in my kitchen. My family calls it the Lab. I love it! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-27873676157281363182013-03-14T15:45:00.000-07:002013-03-14T15:53:02.314-07:00Spring is Almost Here!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7VLZ4YxGMS9Q9dSNa2S_5cV7373gG3fH7pmgOm2bcoO_563r2hhElWq4JsOf7h0OPOpmeHjIBO7wYo2arhClqTtvW_ipxbqKlG-TjcJbdMNDCK_MvKh8OtAUndLbt7f7QDGHMF29mH8/s1600/DSC05314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7VLZ4YxGMS9Q9dSNa2S_5cV7373gG3fH7pmgOm2bcoO_563r2hhElWq4JsOf7h0OPOpmeHjIBO7wYo2arhClqTtvW_ipxbqKlG-TjcJbdMNDCK_MvKh8OtAUndLbt7f7QDGHMF29mH8/s320/DSC05314.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stella asking "where peas"?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
How time flies. After my last post in August there was a flurry of canning and freezing that went on for several months. We were left with a wonderful surplus of food that helped supplement us and will continue to for quite some time. We have more than enough tomato sauce to last till well past harvest this year. Actually were still eating sauce from last year., getting into the last harvest only for whole tomatoes. That helped me decide to do more whole tomatoes this year. Peeling and popping them in a jar is much easier than the food mill. By the end of harvest my arms and chest are all beefed up, every year. Maybe I can give myself a bit of a break this yr. <br />
What I've been working on lately is the rotation of the garden. I know it's important so I've been doing a lot of reading about it. That planning has only begun. I grow a new vegetable every year to keep things fun and interesting. This year I'll plant some celery and see how that goes. I'll do the tee pee again as that was so much fun. We all enjoyed it including the cats. I'm itching to build a greenhouse. I've collected old windows and have been waiting. We plan to live here another 2 years so I hesitate to build it here. I still get a good jump with the <a href="http://jodysrecreations.blogspot.com/2011/05/our-greenhouse.html" target="_blank">rolling greenhouse</a>. I got a 6 week head start last year. It's perfect for someone renting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh490Bd9K2xCponNiQcJsIM2-CPQ8AvVg3VUsPYRbtoTT_1VH40uafu25jFd0CyFA0dHOg3h5ml-Pa446NLepYvOPYmGTdhzIzeQwhobVr2JpsVGA49qqBBGKdGeCZJVqTyqLoaD-E89Yo/s1600/DSC05330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh490Bd9K2xCponNiQcJsIM2-CPQ8AvVg3VUsPYRbtoTT_1VH40uafu25jFd0CyFA0dHOg3h5ml-Pa446NLepYvOPYmGTdhzIzeQwhobVr2JpsVGA49qqBBGKdGeCZJVqTyqLoaD-E89Yo/s320/DSC05330.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The vanilla turned out great! It was a big hit with friends and family. I'm selling it on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/114438302/vanilla-extract-sampler-kit-3-kinds-of?" target="_blank">etsy.com</a> in a couple different size bottles. If you'd like to catch up the posts for the vanilla, here are the links;<br />
<br />
<a href="http://jodysrecreations.blogspot.com/2012/07/we-made-3-kinds-of-vanilla-for-gifts.html" target="_blank">We Made 3 Kinds of Vanilla</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://jodysrecreations.blogspot.com/2012/08/update-on-vanilla.html" target="_blank">Vanilla Update</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwl8dRH6ymstvYKchmU5c9R8_0U0DzhUIN6cI_Md7v9l3Wgjl1MJG8QZGtPKIVnrq_4M355lPgHgY4K2Eud2qxC7ppiACRHCYXb_awZVh7zTExnCFyEVOx3mX8gTfnwTjChsvj1n-xi0/s1600/DSC05314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwl8dRH6ymstvYKchmU5c9R8_0U0DzhUIN6cI_Md7v9l3Wgjl1MJG8QZGtPKIVnrq_4M355lPgHgY4K2Eud2qxC7ppiACRHCYXb_awZVh7zTExnCFyEVOx3mX8gTfnwTjChsvj1n-xi0/s320/DSC05314.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I made other stuff for Christmas too. I made hard lotion and am selling that on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/123716268/hard-lotion-2-oz-bar-in-hindged-tin?" target="_blank">etsy.com</a> as well!<br />
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Stella's favorite video is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star so I made a pillow with a music button in his hand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsew36Lr18a0TxpbCclOpADG7ilaUzY1idmlFllqLe9seVIi6PgsRDkZIoC4phCnyH7qNZPMIIz1laSIvwpdX8t8_fHavaRy1XYoplAVSgP_tXhgh6W3Ho8RdzxFHhzqEeJ_ezzbt7glM/s1600/DSC05445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsew36Lr18a0TxpbCclOpADG7ilaUzY1idmlFllqLe9seVIi6PgsRDkZIoC4phCnyH7qNZPMIIz1laSIvwpdX8t8_fHavaRy1XYoplAVSgP_tXhgh6W3Ho8RdzxFHhzqEeJ_ezzbt7glM/s320/DSC05445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Also made her some hair clips and headbands. These buttons were so fun and colorful, I just had to do something with them!<br />
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Also made blankets for the 2 grand kids.<br />
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Here's one of them. I didn't get pics of the others.<br />
Those are a few of the projects I've done. In the near future I'll be playing with soap making and making shampoo.I have a t-shirt throw to do and also a king size t-shirt quilt to do before I have to plant the garden.<br />
I'd better get moving!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-6083749426543329642012-08-20T12:22:00.000-07:002012-08-31T10:36:41.322-07:00The Garden is Huge!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJTgmmmb7bWMHzv8_JXJuPa114t6hMR1S0FevvxB2EZEVua9-xvzv-kZSLs1y0n-A34yj81zz8HFM-_PvUPOCzbiNGSwwrAHOriZXc3wPb-7n74TMTYSkMdXyvOva6Koo0HFMqf9Ngx8/s1600/DSC04852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJTgmmmb7bWMHzv8_JXJuPa114t6hMR1S0FevvxB2EZEVua9-xvzv-kZSLs1y0n-A34yj81zz8HFM-_PvUPOCzbiNGSwwrAHOriZXc3wPb-7n74TMTYSkMdXyvOva6Koo0HFMqf9Ngx8/s320/DSC04852.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I was away for 2 weeks and when I got back the garden had grown so much I hardly recognized it! The tee pee is totally covered! Check it out!! This is my first green bean tee pee and I have to say I'm thrilled. I always wanted to grow one and here it is! It's so fun to pick green beans too. Most are pick-able from inside but I still do a circle on the outside, daily to check there too. We're getting a couple handfuls a day. Haven't hit the peak yet as there are hundreds of blossoms. It still fits 2 chairs and it's fun to sit inside. <br />
My grand-daughter loves her green bean tee pee!<br />
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The view looking up.<br />
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This is Stella eating a green bean in her tee pee. She is 15 mos old now.<br />
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The view peeking out through the doorway.<br />
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I trimmed the bottom of my tomato plants to give better air circulation and to let the plants direct their energy toward the fruit.<br />
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The cucumbers are going crazy! We pick anywhere from 2-9 per day, so far. Still lots of blooms here too. It's taken some training to get the cucumbers to climb the little fence, but once they grab it, they really climb. It's nice to pick the ones hanging, nice and clean.<br />
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I made a half batch of bread and butter pickles to help use them up. My moms recipe that I remember from childhood. Yummy!!<br />
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Look how everything has filled in! the tomatillos are almost as tall as the tee pee!<br />
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In the sandbox I made a little maze. I had grown the new crop of peas in 2 pots but had no place to put them in the garden. I took a partial roll of fencing and uncoiled it in part of the sandbox. I placed one pot at the opening and one on the inside. Hopefully they'll grow on the fencing and will be a fun place for Stella, my grand-daughter to play. We'll see if it works. You can see the compost pile on the right. While I was gone Bob shredded massive amounts of paper so that's what is on top of the pile.<br />
My rain barrel is upside down because I needed to drain it. We had a couple nice storms that filled it. I decided to use this precious water on the garden last week but could only get a trickle to come out. Now I realize I need to build a platform for it so that it will drain when needed. I think 2-3 ft off the ground should be sufficient.<br />
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The russet potatoes are getting big.<br />
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The tomatillos are almost as tall as the tee pee!<br />
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Here they are in their little husks. If you squeeze the husk you can feel that, at this point, the fruit inside hasn't grown enough to fill the husk<br />
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The sweet potato plant is overflowing!<br />
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An abundance of Roma tomatoes. Only a few ripe ones so far.<br />
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All my cherry tomato plants cross-pollinated with the Roma's so now we're getting tiny Roma's. I'll grow the cherry tomatoes in the front yard next year.<br />
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Lots of flowers in the garden brings the bees.<br />
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I love my sunflowers even though they didn't get very tall this year.<br />
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Here's a view from the compost pile.<br />
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Canned a few jars of carrots.<br />
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We canned 27 pints of peaches. Bob loves his peaches!<br />
We got organic peaches from Morton Farms. They bring their peaches down from Palisades, CO. We got them at a peach festival. The north slope peaches are the best!!<br />
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Here's a batch of fruit cocktail. I put peaches, red grapes, green grapes and pineapple. Got 12 pints from this batch. All together we bought 4 lugs ( a box weighing approx 18 lbs) of peaches. I've frozen a lot as well, for smoothies every morning!<br />
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I believe we're caught up. More to come soon!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-89478904551816434202012-08-20T11:09:00.001-07:002012-08-31T10:48:45.313-07:00Update on the Vanilla<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Tahitian beans finally came! I went to CA for 2 weeks and when I got back they were here!<br />
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I'm happy to say that I'm a Grandma again! My son and his girlfriend, Melinda, had a baby boy, Aiden. It was great to spend time with them. We made blackberry jam and had a good visit.<br />
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This is Melinda with some of the jam we made.<br />
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This is my son Ryan, Melinda and Aiden<br />
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Back to the beans.<br />
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This is the Tahitian after 6 days.<br />
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The new beans made 4 jars of 2c. each. Three jars have 18 beans, one jar have 12 beans. I bought a half a pound.<br />
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Update on the Madagascar beans. Showing a nice color. <br />
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The Mexican beans are also showing good color.<br />
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This is the card that came with some of the vanilla beans. Very helpful. On this card it says to shake every day for a month. Some other info I found said shake every day for 5-6 months. I don't shake it every day. Not a big deal. I do it when I think of it, every few days. It's still doing it's thing. The Tahitian is a month behind the other two, but by Christmas<br />
it should be caught up or close enough.<br />
I'll be giving a set of three kinds of vanilla with beans in each bottle.Along with it, I'll give a small bottle of vodka to refill them. As an avid baker, I would love to receive this as a gift!<br />
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This is the company that sent my beans the fastest! They were here within 4 days of ordering.<br />
I'll do another update in a month or so.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-67794807922747273492012-07-23T14:59:00.000-07:002012-07-23T15:21:52.196-07:00We Made 3 Kinds of Vanilla for Gifts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"> A few
months ago we received a bottle of Mexican vanilla as a gift. My husband, Bob, and I just love this vanilla!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> It's
much stronger and has a better taste than what was in my cupboard. It has a
fruity, floral and caramel taste. It's wonderful in tapioca pudding and anything
else we've put it in. After looking online for this product, (they don't sell
this exact kind online), I decided to make our own vanilla extract.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> I settled
on three kinds of beans. Madagascar, Mexican and Tahitian.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">These two kinds of vanilla beans are what we
made extract from yesterday. I also ordered Tahitian beans but they haven't
arrived yet. In 5-6 months we'll have a lot of vanilla extract! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> I plan to give gifts of
3 bottles of extract, one of each kind. It'll be a fun gift. I think I'll make
some vanilla sugar to go along with it. I plan to leave bean pieces in each
bottle so that vodka can be poured in, making a non- stop supply. I'll give
each set with a tiny bottle of vodka for refilling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> The Mexican beans were the most expensive,
that's why I only got 25 beans. The Madagascar beans were the cheapest so I got
a pound of those, which worked out to 80 beans. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> It's very easy to make extract. Put 8 beans, (cut the beans into 1/2" long pieces) into each 8 oz. of vodka. Store in a cool dark place and shake every day for 5- 6 months.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> I did use the Tattler re-useable lids. I know the regular lids aren't good to use with acidic fruit like tomatoes so I didn't want to take a chance with the alcohol. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> This photo to the left shows Madagascar beans before we poured in the vodka. They were very woody and harder to cut through than the other kinds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> These are the near gourmet
beans that I got free from Vanilla Products USA. They gave them to me when I bought a pound of beans. They were plump and full of oils. We decided to save these for baking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> I didn't take pics of the Mexican
beans. I got busy cutting before I realized I should be taking pics. I get a
little excited with new projects. The Mexican beans were flatter and looked drier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Bob and I will shake these for the next 5-6 months.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> I was pleasantly surprised to see so much color after just 1 day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> So far this is what we've got. One quart jar and 10 pint jars. One pint has only 1 cup liquid. When I get the Tahitian beans we'll finish it up. Then it's just shake and wait, shake and wait.......</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> I'll give updates every once in a while. We should have a nice rich extract by Christmas. Yeah!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> My 1 oz bottles came today!!! I have 5 months to design some labels. I've been working on it a little already.</span></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-80675997193787949032012-07-17T10:17:00.000-07:002012-07-17T13:19:45.885-07:00We're Eating Squash and Cucumbers from the Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The squash are giving us lots to eat! They're loaded with blooms and
producing 2-3 squash every other day at this point. That will increase
as they grow.<br />
Today I picked 2 zucchini.<br />
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The squash grows so fast
this time of year. We had a nice rain last night so I don't have to water
today. My rain barrel is full! I'll use that on hot days to water instead of
the city water. The plants always have a growth spurt when it rains. They love
that rainwater!</div>
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The green bean tee pee is filling out and has almost grown to the top! Another week, I predict.<br />
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The sweet potato is getting big! I love that it was growing in my pantry and now we'll get food from it!<br />
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Here's one I pulled out
of my pantry yesterday! I must have bought too many and we didn't eat them fast
enough. One more plant to find room for. My garden is full and all the big pots
as well. This one will have to go in the front yard, in the flowerbed.</div>
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We won't be able to enjoy
our sweet potatoes till we cure them for a few months. It will be worth it! I
might even can some if we get a good crop. We're trying to eat more sweet
potatoes anyway so now we'll grow our own. </div>
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Here's one of 4 russet potatoes I planted. Two are in the garden with the tomatoes and squash, 2 in <br />
pots.<br />
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The tomatillas have grown beyond they're stakes. I'll have to re-stake them with taller sticks. They have lots of blooms.<br />
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The pot of herbs are growing
fast. The basil is taking over and will have to be transplanted into another
pot. The oregano is on the left and cilantro and chives on the other side. I've
already used some basil in some pasta sauce made from our tomato sauce from
last year. I pulled out several quart jars of sauce, added mushrooms,
onions, garlic, red, orange and yellow sweet peppers, Italian sausage and lots
of Italian spices, and let it cook for 2 days. It was so yummy! We used it for
chicken parm and a couple other dishes, and then froze the rest.</div>
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The tomatoes are full of
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It's a tomato jungle down both raised beds of tomatoes. I planted my plants 12" apart. I've learned I can crowd them a bit as long as I trim the lowest branches from the plants. They need air circulation. <br />
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These are beefsteak tomatoes.<br />
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These are baby Roma tomatoes.<br />
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The cucumbers are loaded with fruit. This is where the peas were planted till they were done producing.<br />
With some coaxing the cucumbers are climbing the fence. I have carrots planted on the edges but they're not very big yet.<br />
We've eaten one cucumber so far. It was so good having been warmed by the sun. Love it! <br />
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Here is some spinach coming up.<br />
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Here are some peas coming up. The first crop was so good I thought we needed more.<br />
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Kym helped us pick some plums from their tree on Sunday. I canned these on Monday (yesterday). Just need to remove the rings, wash them up, label them and put them in the downstairs pantry. I got 15 pints out of it. They'll be great next winter. I'll give some to Kym so they can enjoy them too. I used the re-useable canning lids, <a href="http://www.reusablecanninglids.com/" target="_blank">Tattler</a>. I bought 3 dozen large mouth and 3 doz regular mouth lids this year.<br />
I'll just add some each year till I have enough.<br />
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Here's Kym trying to catch the plums as Bob knocks them down. If they hit the driveway they smashed so we were scrambling trying to catch them.<br />
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Here's my handsome, helpful husband climbing the plum tree.<br />
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Here's a little fountain I made in no time. I won't go into how to make them, there are instructions all over the Internet. It took about 15 min total time. I really like the pot, which I got at a bargain when a local store went out of business.<br />
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I wanted to show how I've used the apple branch panels this year. They were in the garden last year.<br />
When we moved in February, we found we wanted some privacy on our covered porch in the new house. I tied them up and now we have vines growing up. It's a nice cool place to sit. We eat a lot of meals out here.<br />
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The vines cover it nicely.<br />
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The view from under the tee pee.<br />
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Be happy, it's summer!!! Put your feet in the pool, have a pop-cycle, find some way to have fun!<br />
If you're not smiling, thinking of a fun thing to do, then I have a picture that will make you smile.<br />
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This is Stella, our grand daughter. She only has 2 teeth but really wanted to try to eat corn on the cob. She actually was able to get some corn off the cob. What a cutie!<br />
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-60558342944012678292012-06-29T10:52:00.000-07:002012-07-09T17:00:06.841-07:00The Plants are Loving the Heat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been a week and a half since my last blog. The garden has grown so much I had to write again! We've been having a heat wave for the past 2 weeks. Look how big the squash grew and full of blossoms!<br />
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We should have lots of squash. All the grey zucchini died. I planted regular zucchini in it's place. They are up for a couple days then something eats them down to the ground. I've replanted 3 times. I hope this last bunch will make it.<br />
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I've set plastic containers over the seedlings.(You can see them on the end.) If it's a bunny, that will deter it I hope. Cut worms usually
leave a leaf or something behind. We'll see what happens.<br />
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The Roma tomatoes are doing well! I staked them today.<br />
We have lots of blossoms and even a baby tomato. We'll have lots of sauce this year! The 3 plants down the middle are beefsteaks that I bought. The rest were grown in my little greenhouse.<br />
As a last step in the staking process, I tied them with cotton string to their stake. Then I topped each one in order to keep the plants shorter and bushier than previous years. <br />
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Here are the sweet potatoes. They grew so fast this past week I had to add soil 3 times and now we're up to the top. Now to just let it grow. To get this plant I planted a sweet potato from my pantry that was sprouting. I cut it in half and planted the 2 pieces in 2 containers. This one has done the best. the second hasn't done much, but after checking it has healthy roots. It probably needs more sun.<br />
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Here are the tomatillas. I staked them as well. They've gotten very tall and I noticed today that many are in bloom.<br />
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Roma's at this end and cherry tomatoes at the other. These will get staked tomorrow. Look how they've grown!<br />
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That's all for now. I'm sure enjoying watching it all grow.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-84944436941907681122012-06-19T11:44:00.003-07:002012-06-19T13:07:49.931-07:00Everything is Growing!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The peas have grown from this...<br />
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To this! We've gotten several meals from them. <br />
We are especially enjoying the snap peas in stir fry.<br />
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Stella, our grand-daughter, loves to eat peas from the garden.<br />
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She picks out each pea and eats it up.<br />
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The garden is shaping up. Many, many 5 gallon buckets of weeds later we have a yard. Still lots of weeds, but I'm after them every day.<br />
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You can see the green bean teepee in the corner. The green beans are
about 8" tall now. It'll be great when it's all covered. <br />
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I made this one out of 1x2x10
cedar lumber.<br /> I used 8 of them. I dug a trench around the base and planted green beans and cucumbers.
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The grass is filling in all over the yard. We put wood chips around the bushes and trees as well as the garden paths. The wood chips we got free through craigslist.<br />
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Grass is filling in here too.<br />
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Tomatillos are in this bed. Half are green, the other half is purple.<br />
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Here's the bed of squash. Half are yellow, summer squash. The other half are zucchini.<br />
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This bed has Roma's and cherry tomatoes.<br />
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This bed is all Roma's with the exception of the 3 down the middle. They are 3 different kinds of beefsteaks I planted over 50 tomato plants this year.<br />
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The roses I planted are blooming. Looks like it's time to dead- head again.<br />
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The Astilbe is loving being in the ground. The mulch is twigs broken into 4-6" pieces. I like the texture is lends.<br />
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Sweet potato growing in this pot. Time to add more soil.<br />
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Another month we'll be eating more from the garden. It's a magical time. <br />
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-33408560786964543672012-04-19T11:08:00.000-07:002012-04-19T11:08:10.842-07:00Early Morning Sun on My Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if !mso]> <style>
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I love the way the early morning sun shines on my garden. It lights it up with a warm glow that warms my heart. The peas are all facing the sun. They seem to be so happy as the sun kisses them on the forehead and tells them to grow.<br />
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<tr><td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> The garden I'm looking at is a new garden. I'm imagining what it will look like in its full glory this fall. Tall tomatoes, green beans and cucumbers, huge squash plants, I can see it. I have about twice as much room as the last garden so I'm planting more, but still having trouble fitting it all in. Every year I plant something I've never grown before.<br />
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</tbody></table>This year I'm planting tomatillos, green and purple. Yes, there are purple tomatillos! I'm excited about anything purple in the garden. I grew some purple green beans one year, but they turned green when we cooked them, disappointing. I was hoping to serve purple green beans to my kids, but instead it ended up being a fun, magical experience to watch them turn green while they cooked. I love being surprised by new plants. I've also planted peas, which I've never grown successfully so far. The peas are about 4" tall now and seem fine so I think we'll get some peas this year. I planted two varieties, Sugar snap and<br />
Regular peas.<br />
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I've built raised beds, a bench, some stairs from the deck and made a path so far. <br />
The yard was just dirt when we got here. A little grass, but mostly dandelions and other weeds. I dug up a wheelbarrow full of dandelions yesterday, enough for one day, my back told me. Still have more to do. I want to do it organically so I'm digging them up. I will follow with vinegar and soap mixed with water in a spray bottle. It helps some.<br />
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRTk0jMvrgtZppBpx45onXt4pQ3oraxT2cCVLawiuecW3BiBIOmmWfHL5-mecKqv-rH7IN4tAGWvq1DywiFzdNOdmzvYnUMGzJ59I66DSDmkM5vYLaLnfWgBTSMQPp8YjNhyENeTG9c8/s1600/DSC04050.JPG"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzMWefIvuKI8kEfeN55I3sRRPsgaNMiikAdof_-yAFj3uqiJxBtj0iySPD74H12CCzHFY5TTJjfXyFKHnZ_VuMb_QT1s3z4fFYFe43Yr1dGNRL3WtIEgTkzEf2v_ZPjJ8eVJktAdeft8/s1600/DSC04179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzMWefIvuKI8kEfeN55I3sRRPsgaNMiikAdof_-yAFj3uqiJxBtj0iySPD74H12CCzHFY5TTJjfXyFKHnZ_VuMb_QT1s3z4fFYFe43Yr1dGNRL3WtIEgTkzEf2v_ZPjJ8eVJktAdeft8/s320/DSC04179.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"> Here's the bench I made, I used the same wood as the garden. I call it my back bench. When my back hurts I can lay on it for a while till it feels better. I've wanted to make one for years, finally I did it!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
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</span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">When we moved in here the 'stairs' from the deck to the back yard consisted of a big rock and pavers piled up. I dug those out, poured a concrete pad (my first one), and built some stairs.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
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</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"> They look fine, and they're safe. The cement was rough when it dried so I added finishing cement on the top 1/2". When I took the wood form off, it made the cement crack. It's not perfect, but very usable. My first stairs as well! They turned out fine, no complaints.</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"> Okay... lessons learned when pouring cement.</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Go 6" deep instead of 4" like I did. (I was using up cement I had and didn't want to by more.) I'll do 6" next time. I think maybe it wouldn't have cracked if it was 6" deep, but I really don't know.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OfAUJmHg8U9NQWsS5PbvFHME6wYWEuBSB1jiVw91DOSpk0AnOn89j6V9BuW7dIkTwZyAzsF0rPFOOOgnyTMOqrEomkuXebSK219xduaLDREz3umPONGnud14vsxIc0elYiyjPOW1GVM/s1600/DSC04049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OfAUJmHg8U9NQWsS5PbvFHME6wYWEuBSB1jiVw91DOSpk0AnOn89j6V9BuW7dIkTwZyAzsF0rPFOOOgnyTMOqrEomkuXebSK219xduaLDREz3umPONGnud14vsxIc0elYiyjPOW1GVM/s320/DSC04049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpBbWMc_2vbNaiKPaRuwKR7RkvD23ZOxuaiqO_IMZkXzXt3y8c08I2WkV-YgLCCrRo-MrG6qGDUYeOAcyfI9bW3_I_Iu8YNDYpzLLElga7o6gZbOVof5rRisUAjI1deezMO2KqxbfgvA/s1600/DSC04172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpBbWMc_2vbNaiKPaRuwKR7RkvD23ZOxuaiqO_IMZkXzXt3y8c08I2WkV-YgLCCrRo-MrG6qGDUYeOAcyfI9bW3_I_Iu8YNDYpzLLElga7o6gZbOVof5rRisUAjI1deezMO2KqxbfgvA/s320/DSC04172.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"> Before and after, so far. I made a pathway, which is still in progress. I found the rocks on the property so I thought I'd use them line the path. We were considering edging but didn't want to buy anything.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">This works and the cats seem to like it.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> I have grass to plant and a few flowerbeds to make before I'm done. Well, the list is long. That sandbox in the middle had play equipment on it. Not sure what to do with that area as well as the corner. A greenhouse in one spot, a green bean tepee in the other, but haven't decided which is which. That's OK, inspiration will strike one day.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQz6JSqsGi39K_oL5K9-1zXn8nBDOS-Rnzdl3Zrgm6v69fXAN7eehrTAm5CXGTWq3ldx7rPblq6fAbPtA1lLI6FgaMxDlcSxMpP3Or_j2SYBdqavOHfgE4_GCndhn0mMF2mauMyRqIxME/s1600/DSC04094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQz6JSqsGi39K_oL5K9-1zXn8nBDOS-Rnzdl3Zrgm6v69fXAN7eehrTAm5CXGTWq3ldx7rPblq6fAbPtA1lLI6FgaMxDlcSxMpP3Or_j2SYBdqavOHfgE4_GCndhn0mMF2mauMyRqIxME/s320/DSC04094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> I have enough weeds to pull and double digging the new raised beds has to be done. Plenty to keep me busy for a while. I've planted lots of flower seeds, and plan to fill the new beds with them. They're in the little greenhouse with the veges and doing fine!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">I did make this little raised bed for a couple roses and sweet peas that I planted to vine up the trellis behind it. I made that trellis abut 15 years ago out of apple branches. A storm damaged it a bit right before we moved here. Another thing on the to do list. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"> All in all I think the yard is coming along. One thing at a time and before you know it we'll have a beautiful yard. Then the front......Food first then pretty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRj1bAvuwkKJZQisEZEX0DAP2LNIG0vB9txKzdCS_GVorxGHV6kzumn6s55bthfuE82AhsiM_BHWMhuS0EI8qE1oTEa6RsT8uuBq_bCuADFbWI_FjsX-Oqd_P83UMr1-wKwmIbRc7t6N0/s1600/DSC04176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRj1bAvuwkKJZQisEZEX0DAP2LNIG0vB9txKzdCS_GVorxGHV6kzumn6s55bthfuE82AhsiM_BHWMhuS0EI8qE1oTEa6RsT8uuBq_bCuADFbWI_FjsX-Oqd_P83UMr1-wKwmIbRc7t6N0/s320/DSC04176.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">We have lilacs in our new yard. It's my favorite flower so I'm pretty happy! </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
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</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-33171888374191553682012-03-03T11:34:00.000-08:002012-03-03T11:34:33.435-08:00We've Moved!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> We have moved! About an hour from where we were. It's been very busy as you can imagine.<br />
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It all started with a flood in the basement. Bob's office and my craft/ sewing room were the victims. Bob was actually on a plane coming home from a business trip when it happened. I had to stop the cleanup part way through to go pick him up. He came home to a big mess. I had saved most everything important. Our days ahead were packing those two rooms, taking out the wet carpet, renting a dehumidifier machine to help dry out the basement.<br />
It was a lot of work. This all happened a few weeks before Christmas. So after getting it under control we focused on Christmas with our family. At some point I thought maybe this is a sign to move. We had talked about moving this spring or summer. We looked at available housing. There was more available than last summer when we couldn't find anything decent for the right price. We found a house that has worked out. It's bigger than the last one so we're enjoying spreading out a bit. Stella, (our grand-daughter), is happy with her own bedroom. Grandma has had fun decorating. Not done yet! Needs some pink paint next. So much to do. This blog has suffered I'm afraid. We had the pleasure of taking care of Stella and her mom right after we moved in, as Kym had surgery on her hand. Stella is 9 mos now and very busy crawling everywhere. We also watched Stella last week while Kym and her boyfriend went on vacation. We're having such fun with all the baby time.<br />
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The yard here needs lots of help. The landlord has consented to me making some raised beds for the garden. It's already March so I'll have to get that going soon. The long list of things to do keeps growing.<br />
I left my huge compost pile behind. I took some of it but without a pickup it's hard. We're going back tomorrow to get my apple branches and as much compost as we can carry in trash bag lined boxes.<br />
I worked hard for all that compost. I can at least get the finished compost and leave the rest for the next tenant, if they want it. <br />
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We also seem to have a rabbit that lives in the backyard. So measures will be taken in the garden. I plan on building a greenhouse from old windows I've collected. Many projects will get documented and shared on here. Sounds like fun to me. More to come...<br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-49005242713659307842011-10-31T10:15:00.000-07:002013-05-21T14:31:55.911-07:00Making and Pressure Canning Tomatillo Salsa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Some dear friends gave me a bag of tomatillos that they grew in their garden. I knew I loved green sauce but had never made it.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomatillos come with a husk that is easy to peel away.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peeling the husk then soaking in water helps remove the sticky residue that covers the tomatillos.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1ChEW2xDP9bHry-l9nIfQWjSAmffGwK2iY1Li3msYXIGP07KEtgTHV1lul7p3tlShPHwj_UDusA8C6fAUFa2qrqqURAfOjoOHvVo116a0nRmEAd6MBAQ7_Womw_7_allxAayK34e9eE/s1600/DSC03607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1ChEW2xDP9bHry-l9nIfQWjSAmffGwK2iY1Li3msYXIGP07KEtgTHV1lul7p3tlShPHwj_UDusA8C6fAUFa2qrqqURAfOjoOHvVo116a0nRmEAd6MBAQ7_Womw_7_allxAayK34e9eE/s320/DSC03607.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAC0VKfEw0U_6z6X2Y2UzOi3fHvOlfs0o1lb9FSTpxOUjuk_tI-Kap781lGAJGXv7EetwAqntY3ReGnmPfhITpT0rPvbF0_VJDKFFfPOwMYJ864lbAWnoe1E0DFSG_0Z3bzQ1R4jddrWo/s1600/DSC03608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAC0VKfEw0U_6z6X2Y2UzOi3fHvOlfs0o1lb9FSTpxOUjuk_tI-Kap781lGAJGXv7EetwAqntY3ReGnmPfhITpT0rPvbF0_VJDKFFfPOwMYJ864lbAWnoe1E0DFSG_0Z3bzQ1R4jddrWo/s320/DSC03608.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The husk isn't hard to pull off.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRe40T_6yCUHepIIYsS3HHhHqrQZ6w_7eFE2ziO7CtmBNAycoQxcc8neYRazRy-cApvLqPhjidkxHtAZMs8uiWwMLeKfs4cMeZQTQdPSPDDq6B9ly5q5V6pUYmCKJAi4uuGSCAY2XjWk/s1600/DSC03609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRe40T_6yCUHepIIYsS3HHhHqrQZ6w_7eFE2ziO7CtmBNAycoQxcc8neYRazRy-cApvLqPhjidkxHtAZMs8uiWwMLeKfs4cMeZQTQdPSPDDq6B9ly5q5V6pUYmCKJAi4uuGSCAY2XjWk/s320/DSC03609.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It looks like a green tomato.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7kCRLvAa2X17Vv6w0inguY4ExxiLwCOZKNRF0QzuWpkZU-bKm4J7xCm75uUKLDUy15EDlgLmPAnLL_BetKSUxfg12Sgh756kIRBX9r4TMOD5YaT2A3XnkkM4ZTxPfke2BJFaxxMJWN8/s1600/DSC03604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7kCRLvAa2X17Vv6w0inguY4ExxiLwCOZKNRF0QzuWpkZU-bKm4J7xCm75uUKLDUy15EDlgLmPAnLL_BetKSUxfg12Sgh756kIRBX9r4TMOD5YaT2A3XnkkM4ZTxPfke2BJFaxxMJWN8/s320/DSC03604.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginning of the sink full of soaking tomatillos.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0PphZ_6YYoPFV17jBzmgy86GZWZYkcRWBvNLpDB86rl3i-glDms4Jjmv_kwLDNa2D_uafZt2sAK60HOV5UCBDvyRKaAtjhh2fc1yOgtsfcMvOMT_ev_w17zMjoNwI0fuHgNXo7Ngzbc/s1600/DSC03610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0PphZ_6YYoPFV17jBzmgy86GZWZYkcRWBvNLpDB86rl3i-glDms4Jjmv_kwLDNa2D_uafZt2sAK60HOV5UCBDvyRKaAtjhh2fc1yOgtsfcMvOMT_ev_w17zMjoNwI0fuHgNXo7Ngzbc/s320/DSC03610.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I roasted them in the oven and froze them (after cooling), till I had some time to make the salsa..</td></tr>
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I did make one batch of the salsa and made the best chicken enchiladas I’ve ever eaten. That encouraged me to make the rest into salsa. My friends were so happy that I used them, and didn’t let them go to waste, that they gave me another bag! Now I knew I had a serious batch of salsa to do. So I roasted them as well, and after cooling, froze them. This past Saturday I pulled out all the tomatillos, thawed them and made some yummy salsa.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhov3JhCk8tmuG5SINVomjpUEXlRYdzFBJoKnVxSA-feBbXM4mljqIAnkJmWqppV2C8wEx_03bdtG84rLHlYVbnd4trvU7uo9T0clduzmPAVUeQrr06vcJbXDcnm7nzUtQsptHDOVQ7_gg/s1600/DSC03652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhov3JhCk8tmuG5SINVomjpUEXlRYdzFBJoKnVxSA-feBbXM4mljqIAnkJmWqppV2C8wEx_03bdtG84rLHlYVbnd4trvU7uo9T0clduzmPAVUeQrr06vcJbXDcnm7nzUtQsptHDOVQ7_gg/s320/DSC03652.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A full pot of salsa, simmering.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCHT_9kUOsGs4GMOboKkUi8yexS6hgzGePIgoQLsJNFBc-2oqgeoZ_kDo-CDSRfofTsDs_x3Vt31OnPmIaAB3KvWC8TJXdacJZckKtln9L21mTMbJSadcQRoZSno6FWRNT9Z01MGJzkQ/s1600/DSC03657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCHT_9kUOsGs4GMOboKkUi8yexS6hgzGePIgoQLsJNFBc-2oqgeoZ_kDo-CDSRfofTsDs_x3Vt31OnPmIaAB3KvWC8TJXdacJZckKtln9L21mTMbJSadcQRoZSno6FWRNT9Z01MGJzkQ/s320/DSC03657.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The food processor worked great to blend the salsa to a nice texture.<br />
I used it to chop all the vegetables as well. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfT7s1qqEoNH4ilNgPO8I85mw9FoyN0FJWNZl_mbIt8op-GJUxLZOkUlgR5uzWZFexVGrnY5WBRSAg5eDUGNdE1DSCVgPuW8-3XSbu5pXGYQQ6Ue24FQya5u_sAI-SY-pCtQsROcTn5Y/s1600/DSC03660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfT7s1qqEoNH4ilNgPO8I85mw9FoyN0FJWNZl_mbIt8op-GJUxLZOkUlgR5uzWZFexVGrnY5WBRSAg5eDUGNdE1DSCVgPuW8-3XSbu5pXGYQQ6Ue24FQya5u_sAI-SY-pCtQsROcTn5Y/s320/DSC03660.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very full bowl of salsa ready to go into my hot jars. (Sterilized in the oven for 20 min at 250)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ccB25pUGz8JBvGYOhDZ5DPfgLA_jRpafuTqwy8kQEORPbecWT4hnpeamfWzpw04_dpKGqF3ziHHiPN9EVESVbkba7STr7L47WTqQv5U3KZJNqN2OXIPaL6W0zV1ue89dbLzUIy5hrcU/s1600/DSC03662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ccB25pUGz8JBvGYOhDZ5DPfgLA_jRpafuTqwy8kQEORPbecWT4hnpeamfWzpw04_dpKGqF3ziHHiPN9EVESVbkba7STr7L47WTqQv5U3KZJNqN2OXIPaL6W0zV1ue89dbLzUIy5hrcU/s320/DSC03662.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> The 23 Qt pressure canner ready to work. It fit all 14 jars. It's ok to stack jars in this tall canner. I'm ordering another metal plate to make stacking easier next year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFMvtsQ7pBoaviYG7MnDVHAOgGD03wMD6D7LMgc9-PEbuYDAilPfzwpnZIRS9bjQGCxrral5MqYSA5PngZtFK3gVzyrKBwup4A_5U0gmbGPMWr0i1gKFzpLOl1RStGL8CevKUpj-JaL4/s1600/DSC03664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFMvtsQ7pBoaviYG7MnDVHAOgGD03wMD6D7LMgc9-PEbuYDAilPfzwpnZIRS9bjQGCxrral5MqYSA5PngZtFK3gVzyrKBwup4A_5U0gmbGPMWr0i1gKFzpLOl1RStGL8CevKUpj-JaL4/s320/DSC03664.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Tomatillo Salsa Verde cooling. You can see some of the Tattler Re-useable canning lids in front.</td></tr>
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I looked at several recipes, and then decided to put my own recipe together. Making the most of what I had without a trip to the store, helped form this recipe. I’ll include it here but keep in mind that you can play with the recipe to suit your tastes.<br />
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Here is the first recipe I used. It turned out really yummy.</div>
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<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/tomatillo-salsa-verde/detail.aspx">http://allrecipes.com/recipe/tomatillo-salsa-verde/detail.aspx</a></div>
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Here is the recipe I used for Pressure Canning.</div>
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Tomatillo Salsa Verde</div>
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20 c. of tomatillos, roasted</div>
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2 c. mild peppers, (red, orange and yellow) chopped</div>
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2 hatch chilies, chopped</div>
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6 c. onions, chopped</div>
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2 c. lemon and lime juice</div>
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24 cloves garlic</div>
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4 T cumin</div>
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4 T oregano</div>
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4 T salt</div>
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4 T black pepper</div>
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4 T cilantro</div>
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Combine all ingredients in large pot. Cook over low-med heat. It scorches easily so I used a lower heat. Simmer for 20 min.Use a blender or food processor to blend the salsa in batches. I used a food processor so I could achieve the texture I was looking for. I wanted some chunks but not a puree, like the blender might have given me. </div>
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Ladle into hot jars, leaving ½ “ head space. Wipe jar rims with a clean cloth dipped in boiling water. Put lids on tight then loosen a small amount, 1/4” (for air to escape during processing). Use the recommended amount of water for your canner. Process in your canner for 20 min at 15 lbs of pressure. (Everything I’ve canned gets 15 lbs of pressure because we live above 5000 ft.) </div>
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<u><b>Please check your canner book for processing changes, for your altitude.</b></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This recipe yielded 14 pints of salsa.</span></div>
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I've started searching for recipes and ideas for using all this salsa. As a result I think you should experiment! It's good on any meat and gives a hot dog some zing! Yes, we tried this last night. After watching some cooking shows my husband got inspired and suggested we put it and some raw onions on our hot dogs. I was skeptical, but it was really good! Try it in an omelet or as a quick sauce for anything!</div>
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I wanted to make a note about the re-useable canning lids I tried this year. The Tattler Canning Lids have been a great investment. They sealed with no problems. I love that I won't have to spend money every year on new lids. I bought 3 dozen, wide mouth lids to start with. I wanted to try them out before buying all I need. I'm sold. I'll be making a sizable purchase to cover our needs. Here is a link if you haven't heard about these. <a href="http://www.reusablecanninglids.com/">http://www.reusablecanninglids.com/</a></div>
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I have more tomatoes to can so I'm not done yet. We picked everything in the garden before it froze. We have had our dining room table taken over with ripening tomatoes for a while now. As they ripen I do another batch of sauce. I'm ready to be done. Tired girl walking.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-49895670153097698182011-10-11T13:35:00.000-07:002011-11-14T10:53:14.222-08:00Home Canning in America<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> While I was growing up we always had a large garden. For a family of 6 this was a way to provide our family with healthy food at a very small cost. The cost being, new canning lids and our efforts. We had a supply of jars already. I am the oldest of 4 children so I learned early, at the knee of my mother, how to "put up food". She and my Dad came from farm and ranch people who knew how to preserve food in many ways. The goal of the summer and fall was to raise enough produce for a year’s supply, until harvest time the following year. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> In the fall we knew we'd be busy canning and freezing all our produce. Whole days were dedicated to canning fruit and vegetables. If we had a large harvest we would can and freeze for days in a row. I can still see all 4 of us kids at the kitchen table, each with a duty. Mom would keep us on task, demonstrating how to do each action, and man the water bath. We all worked hard. The younger ones peeled off as they wore out. Leaving my mom and I to do the last of it. I loved working side by side with her. She knew so much and I wanted to learn everything.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I've learned a lot from her. She inspired me to do the same for my family. I've also learned from the many books I own. The Internet has been invaluable to me as well. I've learned so much in the last few years. I've picked up so many skills, really useful skills just by watching videos and reading about what other people have done.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> My parents were raised to also have meat in the freezer. I remember many summers, getting a half beef delivered. It filled up our chest freezer and lasted a long time. My mom loved the thought of only having to buy milk, bread and eggs all winter.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I remember the year my dad planted Jerusalem artichokes. None of us really liked them. You eat the bulb, which is miss-shaped and hard to peel. They don't have much taste. They kind of took over that garden. Thank goodness dad made a separate garden for them. Every year they would come back even though we didn't want them anymore. We sold that place about 30 years ago. I'll bet there are still some that come up there. Stubborn buggers.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Dad and mom put in berry vines one year. We got some great jam from them. I still love berry jam and try to make it when I can find cheap berries. Any kind of berries will do. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When I lived in CA we had blackberry and raspberry vines. I used to make a triple berry jam that was to die for. Strawberry, blackberry and black raspberry, OMG it was so good! I've never come close to that jam since then. It was absolutely the best jam I've ever tasted. I lived in Ca for 30 years. Raised my kids to be gardeners just like their mama.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I've always tried to have a garden as a grown up type person. I'm 51 now so that's a lot of gardens under my belt. When my kids were tiny I started my first compost pile. I simply dug down about 2 ft in a flowerbed in a corner where nothing was growing. I layered my kitchen scraps with dirt from the hole and leaves. It took a few months to fill it up. I kept moving down the flowerbed, digging the new hole right next to the old one. I left it alone, no turning, no effort and in a year I had black compost to use in my potted plants. It was a shady backyard so no garden there. But the next house we had a great garden. The kids got their own row to tend and loved it. It was their choice to grow what they wanted. Kids tend to want to eat veggie’s they grow themselves, so it's a win-win situation. Now my kids are grown up but don't have kids of their own yet. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fortunately, my new husband has 2 kids just like me. Kym is his oldest and just had a baby girl 4 months ago and we're very excited to be grandparents. We're very actively involved with babysitting and many trips to bring food the first 3 months. Now we have a granddaughter to spoil, and we are doing just that! I can hardly wait to buy her her first set of child size tools. She has already come out to the garden with grandma to water. <br />
Good times ahead!</span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-14004854565491626112011-10-10T11:08:00.000-07:002011-10-10T11:10:20.173-07:00Canning Season is Almost Over<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> I thought I'd share what I’ve been keeping so busy doing the past couple of months. I've been canning! For the 2 of us I don't need hoards of food, however it does give me great pleasure to see all these canned goods. We know they're organic and safe to eat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbfsOpRBXLy6TiLd5iGouw47X8yJBFlBs5Czrl6snZJVm8jdujZfb5umVLjc-y0oUwJVgk2gmnRcuSYPyu5zKYXP1YXfAuTpao3kHCYjg5xJw6w51zdA_bGhARpJZN6pUhm1pBGmoVw8/s1600/DSC03570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbfsOpRBXLy6TiLd5iGouw47X8yJBFlBs5Czrl6snZJVm8jdujZfb5umVLjc-y0oUwJVgk2gmnRcuSYPyu5zKYXP1YXfAuTpao3kHCYjg5xJw6w51zdA_bGhARpJZN6pUhm1pBGmoVw8/s320/DSC03570.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
I made and canned pasta sauce, tomato sauce and chili. Also canned green beans, peaches, chicken soup and chicken stock. I've also been doing lots of freezing. Strawberries, peaches, pineapple, cherries, grapes, bell peppers, broccoli and anything else that's on sale at a good price.<br />
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This past weekend I canned 9 quarts of chicken soup and 10 pints, and a couple pints of broth. It took 3 batches in the pressure canner. Bob got in on the fun and helped chop vege's. We always have fun cooking together. It will be nice to pull out a jar and heat it up after shoveling snow or anytime for that matter.<br />
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I got this cabinet from a friend for free. I put it in the craft room and have filled it with canned goods as well as cereal and a few other foods.<br />
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We should have enough chicken soup to last through the cold and flu season. This batch is mild compared to the the "Get Well Soup" that I make for sickie's. It has a lot of onion and garlic as well as herbs to help them get well.<br />
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We ate a jar of peaches last night with our dinner. It was such a sweet treat. After all that canning it felt well deserved. We can eat 1 can every 3 weeks and they'll last till next peach season. The tomato products should last most of the coming year. My goal was much more for tomatoes but I didn't get the volume I was hoping for. One drawback of crowding plants, it lowers production.<br />
We got enough to keep me very busy so I'm happy. I did a batch of tomatoes a week until the last 3 weeks when I had to do 2 per week.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitc4N5lKOWHjTgyYFAHYuN93guQzTd9zDsNg_UxSDplFEXGhmtsib96_u1mx8S2wPHJShvJIchpeo6RtZ6FRDYOnsVaCo8B7pJplBsZ_TgpdnaF6ek4nMmx_L0OUY4TA6Dv2jsyBNDQFg/s1600/DSC03572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitc4N5lKOWHjTgyYFAHYuN93guQzTd9zDsNg_UxSDplFEXGhmtsib96_u1mx8S2wPHJShvJIchpeo6RtZ6FRDYOnsVaCo8B7pJplBsZ_TgpdnaF6ek4nMmx_L0OUY4TA6Dv2jsyBNDQFg/s320/DSC03572.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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More updates on the garden to come.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-36652558340706211172011-09-16T08:33:00.000-07:002011-09-16T08:33:44.155-07:00The Gate for Kym<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> I made a gate for Kym to enclose her porch. I made it with all recycled wood. It's not perfect but it serves the purpose. Not bad for my first gate.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXZJHXKcFb144jAxXFyU3FBg-gZOtG7gqejQ6DBEmeIdnq5TxpjJO0Ov6pokPFmRqLrsTpKve8fqFZnlCJJLduHBzmdACFF_96eupaPbkS8yaHYt1e10ZXQTTashJUXfWQDmm7M56ebE/s1600/DSC03516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXZJHXKcFb144jAxXFyU3FBg-gZOtG7gqejQ6DBEmeIdnq5TxpjJO0Ov6pokPFmRqLrsTpKve8fqFZnlCJJLduHBzmdACFF_96eupaPbkS8yaHYt1e10ZXQTTashJUXfWQDmm7M56ebE/s320/DSC03516.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYholYvaz5a0DOqqSyacOTatmp29Hx1ZFourT9Rg-wxqjHRJVJy5qNw5sblpzRQ5VetttyzQ8Y4LmUiFZtcfrrBhcUxn6tOY526-dBeR-Ul9kN3Mv4eD3PBUlGNVFm5yTdOZefj4Fr9Q/s1600/DSC03515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYholYvaz5a0DOqqSyacOTatmp29Hx1ZFourT9Rg-wxqjHRJVJy5qNw5sblpzRQ5VetttyzQ8Y4LmUiFZtcfrrBhcUxn6tOY526-dBeR-Ul9kN3Mv4eD3PBUlGNVFm5yTdOZefj4Fr9Q/s320/DSC03515.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Here it is at home before I hung it. I put a Poly finish on it to protect it from our harsh winters.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OQN_ky9qNuOQtAtzzND55ZqGUSkj__G_OMw6ehVj92tN4Dh239ypW9OuJAy8M7LNgKAK2o2M0eTkjVL-ngQJQHK3G8KOEAc_gtIV0ZemnyeaOm5WUXsF04gJ6kGJOQsaQWKhwYkhaWE/s1600/DSC03300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OQN_ky9qNuOQtAtzzND55ZqGUSkj__G_OMw6ehVj92tN4Dh239ypW9OuJAy8M7LNgKAK2o2M0eTkjVL-ngQJQHK3G8KOEAc_gtIV0ZemnyeaOm5WUXsF04gJ6kGJOQsaQWKhwYkhaWE/s320/DSC03300.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-29081837193687935562011-08-23T16:19:00.000-07:002011-08-23T17:10:58.114-07:00I Canned Peaches<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwNutcq7hO5QbKcK5Io9aLNa8zhWu235T1h2iYGBpIZ_kJ3a4qzd2VsukkqOddONUOKal240kkSrzVMbAQOLdg5beGBuqrP0XxNZQZ33u9ejf2RgXlJ7gwv3ry59Y9UEvJlWyg4H3r9o/s1600/DSC03422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwNutcq7hO5QbKcK5Io9aLNa8zhWu235T1h2iYGBpIZ_kJ3a4qzd2VsukkqOddONUOKal240kkSrzVMbAQOLdg5beGBuqrP0XxNZQZ33u9ejf2RgXlJ7gwv3ry59Y9UEvJlWyg4H3r9o/s320/DSC03422.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't they look pretty in the sun?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I canned a lug of peaches and got 18 pints.(I gave<br />
one away.) A lug is 22 lbs of fruit, in a box.<br />
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These peaches are from the north slope area in Colorado. <br />
Some weren't ripe so they will be eaten<br />
and frozen for smoothies.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2V89zGdJDH2BylJLy1SMNYTOApTQhKChMlMi0c_EhisgbvaC-vXRUnhetyRYjkPcMSvBtRHPKKLir37KNLr5rKtxpwjeqpCNxdftTnJCRmcZx1uuXW8tuOfy9twlAglpiR9rNCOv7Ig/s1600/DSC03398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2V89zGdJDH2BylJLy1SMNYTOApTQhKChMlMi0c_EhisgbvaC-vXRUnhetyRYjkPcMSvBtRHPKKLir37KNLr5rKtxpwjeqpCNxdftTnJCRmcZx1uuXW8tuOfy9twlAglpiR9rNCOv7Ig/s320/DSC03398.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Peaches before they got canned. The green bowl is water with lemon juice in it. I didn't have any Fruit Fresh and I've found lemon juice<br />
works just as well as a substitute.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7euYHTiV_bvF6JpU8takFvVwHCBInSwzkvjNd13q7eAZFc6ig3grZCjfc3bBx5quLKkoTDHR5tU3sGmWsMxhu-7P7F7B686nr83Lho4BzYSE6231C_tM7zSLfpyEJhKcSXYgT5zxQJw/s1600/DSC03400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7euYHTiV_bvF6JpU8takFvVwHCBInSwzkvjNd13q7eAZFc6ig3grZCjfc3bBx5quLKkoTDHR5tU3sGmWsMxhu-7P7F7B686nr83Lho4BzYSE6231C_tM7zSLfpyEJhKcSXYgT5zxQJw/s320/DSC03400.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here is my new pressure cooker. It worked well canning the peaches. I read and reread the directions before using it. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNxDHsyq2lrFOLtf_ArKXBHPZPdTv1uqztNJPxKZ6nNgwmiROCeyLu-Oi1M5zYpy84ImpiylkhL0S7WcLdnqMDcE2S44_772-YlexNQ0SArZ1b8BXnatHbET4ym0S9FW72iPvUQOUdQs/s1600/DSC03424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNxDHsyq2lrFOLtf_ArKXBHPZPdTv1uqztNJPxKZ6nNgwmiROCeyLu-Oi1M5zYpy84ImpiylkhL0S7WcLdnqMDcE2S44_772-YlexNQ0SArZ1b8BXnatHbET4ym0S9FW72iPvUQOUdQs/s320/DSC03424.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We're looking forward to yummy fresh tasting peaches till this time next year.<br />
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Happy Canning Everyone!<br />
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If any of you are preserving food, send me a photo and I'll post it!<br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4233773858413966860.post-36684326496732651782011-08-08T16:23:00.000-07:002011-08-08T16:23:47.452-07:00Hypertufa Drying Rack<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> I needed a place to dry the tufa containers that was sturdy and out of the way. Once again I turned to my free wood and got busy making this rack. It didn't take long to make, just a couple hours. It's against the fence so it's out of the way and very sturdy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmn-FupQkxh_2o-Qg-Gn3wWcVG6prm_F07IYDrzWun4J2L-oaNO6Iq3QLDW3sb4pkmfsQ6JC7PwBRR7mlzFH1a9wuYSAUYx2ILmzevG98Yr7dnaDlfVj0yZdzoOmjw_liSqfh9f7YwS_M/s1600/DSC03282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmn-FupQkxh_2o-Qg-Gn3wWcVG6prm_F07IYDrzWun4J2L-oaNO6Iq3QLDW3sb4pkmfsQ6JC7PwBRR7mlzFH1a9wuYSAUYx2ILmzevG98Yr7dnaDlfVj0yZdzoOmjw_liSqfh9f7YwS_M/s320/DSC03282.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I've made a few new pieces, a window box and several large bowls. I colored the cement brown but I think this got soaked off in part of the curing process. I've learned to soak new pieces for several days and then let them air dry for a couple weeks. Apparently not the stained pieces, I’ll have to hose them off daily.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJrjhDConYCbctjOhAUJuZ7FjC0oPviVvgQIyXQLyloZDxUro7QdvP7KZnZPf10TXIZ1EE0r8BhhvA3jDfMEQ8wrXZGLsn8_l4ZpoT3ciZ8fIrCfJwecFYdFDaIm5AJ1rAhaT_2sTAsA/s1600/DSC03284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJrjhDConYCbctjOhAUJuZ7FjC0oPviVvgQIyXQLyloZDxUro7QdvP7KZnZPf10TXIZ1EE0r8BhhvA3jDfMEQ8wrXZGLsn8_l4ZpoT3ciZ8fIrCfJwecFYdFDaIm5AJ1rAhaT_2sTAsA/s320/DSC03284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> This bowl was made with 2 different batches. You can see the stripe of the darker color at the top. I just pulled this one out of the water today. It'll be interesting to see what it looks like when it's dry.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH9SJ1FtTTUqEvyrYjJRK5nGQKd7-9hyfW7k0Gjuhy9Yt9ZINMlTxfvVVM2Ha-Z4oS8JI1RGDylLFGi3H0Bdf08X1LNKPFuRo-54HYDs4bV218Awc4PTjyqXHX-wxUiliJsSd039ZYXc/s1600/DSC03304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH9SJ1FtTTUqEvyrYjJRK5nGQKd7-9hyfW7k0Gjuhy9Yt9ZINMlTxfvVVM2Ha-Z4oS8JI1RGDylLFGi3H0Bdf08X1LNKPFuRo-54HYDs4bV218Awc4PTjyqXHX-wxUiliJsSd039ZYXc/s320/DSC03304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I've been doing exciting projects. Made a gate, my first. It turned out ok I think. More on that after I hang it.<br />
Bob, my husband, and I made a Solar Box Cooker. We're now in the midst of working out the details. I redesigned it a bit today and will finish tomorrow, so more on that to come as well!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13774349916207947041noreply@blogger.com1