The Harvest Begins...

Remember all those potatoes I planted back in February? Okay, so maybe I never told you about the potatoes. The fact remains, I planted three different types of potatoes back in that month. I wish I could tell you one of the varieties was a blue potato, but I didn't have it available to me at Pensacola Seed and Garden, so I made do with two reds and one white. Or, was that two whites and one red? See, I don't know. No one here knows, so why did I bother? I guess that's just one of the things we gardeners do. Grow things just to see what will happen.


Anyway, with the advent of the first potato harvest, I am feeling a certain largess of spirit. I want to give away potatoes to everyone I meet. Wait. Give them away??? Haven't I been trying to start a farmer's market around here for the last three years? What gives? Maybe it's just something about the concept of being able to grow my own food that has my generosity kicking in. Whatever the case may be, I'm about to knock down my unsuspecting neighbor's door and rain some potato bounty down upon him. Wish you all were closer...

Wordless Wednesday with "Real" Mower

Yet another reason for using non-powered machines...
To view more WW participants, click here...

The Great Saturday Book-Away

I've finally reached that point in my life. The point where I have too many books. What? Too many books??!!?? How can that be? (sounds a bit Seussish, eh?) So, to remedy the problem, I have decided to host the Saturday Book-Away. Each Saturday, I will spotlight a new book that I am giving away. Want the book? Just leave a comment. James will draw one name from a coffee-cup each week and one lucky person will receive a book. Winner will be announced on Wednesday of each week. Without further ado, let me introduce to you the first book to be given away...

This book is the 1991 edition but is still in excellent shape...like new. So, let the games begin. Leave your name in the comment section. And be sure to tune in tomorrow for Good News Sunday!

The Conservative Conundrum

Last night, as James and I were talking to a friend at Barnes and Noble, another gentleman entered into our conversation. Somehow, we began discussing conservation techniques and environmental protection. Almost immediately, the man began to trash conservative policies and ideologies. Now, I wouldn't say James and I are staunch conservatives. We're pretty much on the libertarian side of the fence. However, we are soundly against polarizing turns of speech. As James and I discussed later, with about 50% of the population calling itself conservative, any environmentalist who immediately bashes the beliefs of this population loses half of his or her support--off the top!

As the gentleman continued to speak of organic gardening, grey water tanks and rainwater collecting (all subjects on which we are passionate), I ruminated on the possibility of speaking up for conservatives everywhere. After all, winning one person as a friend is better than maintaining the peace, right? When Mr. L paused in his conversation, I respectfully submitted the idea that not all conservatives are wasteful and/or ignorant of the current crises in our environment/earth (and no, I'm not talking--nor will I talk about global warming). In fact, several Christian groups are leading the way in environmental stewardship. To which he replied, Christians have to realize that stewardship is about more than money, it's about also stewarding the earth. Well, yeah.

I'm not saying that I was on a conversion mission, but I like for people to be informed. I think that because of our clothing style, James' hair, our simple way of living, or what have you, James and I are often painted with a wide, liberal and anti-Christian brush. I like knowing that God created us to be passionately concerned about His earth, His people, His plans and still totally in love with Him.

So, Mr. and Mrs. L left with the promise to email us some plans for a grey water system and the possibility of a tank to begin it all. We left friends and partners, in a sense. That's what I call a successful conversation...

Flushaway...is it for real??

Has anyone used these? I just found them at Big Lots and the press seems promising. Flushaway pads are proclaimed to be so eco-friendly that you can "Flush it and forget it..." Supposedly, they biodegrade within 28 days and won't harm sewage systems.

Sorry to anyone whose delicate sensibilities may be bothered by this post. I did try to make it discreet...

When it rains you need a tank!

Each time it rains around here, James and I tell one another that we really need some good rainwater tanks. We nod and watch the rain pour down while our wheelbarrows, buckets and various paraphernalia collect the rain water. Inevitably, we must walk outside after the rain and relocate our plentiful rain harvest to suitable storage containers. Why do we think we need rain water tanks? Let me explain. No, is too long. Let me sum up...

One summer, before James and I were married and I was still living alone in a 400 sq ft home, I received a water bill for well over $50. Some of you may roll your eyes at such a paltry sum but let me elaborate. I had no washer and the water run-off all went to septic. How a single person managed to amass such a large bill is still an unsolved mystery. The water company and I almost came to blows over this mystery. I still count them as thieves but what's a suburbanite to do?

Well, one step is to install grey water systems. These systems are available in two models. One model actually treats the water for prolonged storage. The other model recycles the water for immediate use on your lawn or garden. With careful management, the water you use to wash your hands at the bathroom sink can be used to flush the toilet. Such a pretty and efficient arrangement. Why couldn't I figure it out on my own?? As for the rainwater tanks, they are useful for watering your garden, lawn, bathing, making home recipes for shampoo and the list goes on and on. So, if you haven't already been considering recycling your water, read up on it. Makes a lot of sense...

How Sweet!

I just found this little site that lets you create your own home...energy efficient or not. We don't do all of the things I listed on my adobo...but most of them are implemented!

Gardening Tip: Week#4: Save Your Seed!

I have wanted to save my own garden seeds for several years now. for some reason, though, I would look at those flowering plants and couldn't figure out how to go about the business. Seed saving tips never helped me either. How could something so simple as a plant producing seeds be turned into the event of the season? What did I have to do with selective pollination and different colored ties?

Ah, but every planting season rolls around and I gaze with longing at the organic seeds. I wonder why I didn't save my seeds from the year before and then remind myself of the difficulty. Well, last year, I grew my own snapdragons from saved seed. After that small miracle, I convinced myself that I could do it! This year, I have saved lettuce, calendula, fennel, coriander, snapdragon, broccoli, marigold, forget-me-nots and the list goes on. When next fall rolls around, I will be more than ready with my small arsenal of organic goodness--and for a price that can't be beat!

How did I accomplish this feat? Actually, it was really pretty simple. I pulled up whole flowering stalks of broccoli and put it in a bucket to dry completely. Only last week, I "shelled" the seed pods (just like you would beans) and out popped little broccoli seeds! I used a mortar and pestle to remove most of the chaff. What I couldn't remove, I didn't worry about. It will just work as organic matter in the soil. Some things like coriander and fennel are so easy to gather that they will plant themselves. You have to be quick to gather the coriander or it will happily reseed itself for you. Come to think of it, same thing goes for tomatoes.

So, if you've never before saved your own seeds for planting or giving away, get started today. Carefully removed dried seed pods from the plant, make sure the seeds are completely dry before storing them away (mildewed seeds don't sprout well) and put them where birds and mice can't reach. Happy planting!

The Shire...

Everyone, check out this website: The Shire I have not looked at the whole thing, but it's some kind of planned community in Oregon that uses green construction and "obsolete" building materials. Enjoy!

Cilantro Pesto

Each year, the warm weather comes long before I can begin to use my plethora of cilantro. Which leaves me with veritable groves of 5 ft tall coriander producing tree-lets. Well, this year I determined such would not be the case. This year, I am making Cilantro Pesto and freezing it to use when the really hot days get here and all I want is yummy Mexican food! After all, what good are the homegrown jalapenos and chiles and tomatoes if I don't have fresh, out-of-my-garden cilantro to mix in as well? Cilantro Pesto is quite easy to make, using stalks or not. Simply chop the cilantro and mince finely in a food-chopper with (or without) olive oil. Once the mixture is finely diced, freeze and enjoy the rest of the year! Of course, don't forget to let some plants produce seeds for next year's crop!

This is my weekly entry into the Made from Scratch carnival and I consider it seriously "made from scratch" because this year's cilantro crop is the result of my seed-saving from last year's cilantro crop. I just need to work on saving all my seeds, eh?

By the way, try this Cilantro Pesto in Jenn's Spicy Thai Noodles MMMMMMM. To swoon for!

Made from scratch!

I have been wanting to enter the made from scratch carnival for a while now, so here is my first submission:

Nursing pads! TA-DA! No, they're not for me but for my little sis. I have been threatening to make some for her and finally made five pair. 3 are solid flannel with quilt batting. 1 is flannel/print with quilt batting and one pair is suede/flannel with rice/lavender filling for soreness.

Without further ado, here they are...

What a glorious day!

Wow! It was another amazingly beautiful day here on the Gulf Coast! We worked in the yard all day long, had friends over and got lots of things accomplished. Here are a few things we did today:
James building the raised beds...

The Shadow of the Plow...

Becca spreading ummm well, you know, in the raised bed...

homemade paper seedling pots (this was an all day project!!

Work progressing on the Secret Garden


Would someone be interested in a sheet or two of pregnant paper? I'm trying out a new item to sell on Etsy. Want to see what thoughts are...

oh, it's my turn!

Hmmm...I keep checking other folks' blogs to see if they have updated recently. Now, I see that I have not written anything in a while myself. We had quite a busy/adventurous weekend. This Thursday, we opened up a booth at a local antique mall so now I am obsessed with order, design, color...and pricing!! We have nice, vintage things but I just am not sure what to charge for them. Here's one example, I have a great set of 50-yr old china which, bought on ebay (piece by piece) would equal a couple hundred dollars. The fabrics and sewing paraphernalia alone are worth a good bit, but how do I find prices for these things!?! I have three yards of uncut imported linen. It is a work of art, but will anyone else think so??? How about the belt kits to make your own skinny belts...still in the package complete with smiling 23-inch-waist woman?

I'll post some pictures so you can see the great things we have.

We like to "treasure hunt." AKA: finding things on the side of the road. This weekend alone, we found:

1. antique domestic rotary sewing machine
2. two metal milk crates
3. 1950s endtable
4. bookcases
5. antique table
6. two ladders
7. deep porcelain sink
8. enamel wash tub
9. bike trailer that's for us, we've been wanting one
10. garden tools and plants
11. large birdcage
12. 2 red wagons
13. storage chest for firewood
14. 10 antique windows using them to make a conservatory
15. pottery dishes
16. solid oak rocking chair
17. hard case for electric guitar (with red velvet padding inside...nice)

Really, we say we want/need something and we find it! It's wonderful...hope you don't all think we're pathetic. These items are all in excellent condition...just somebody else's junk.

No new shoes!!

Here is a group that has made a compact not to buy anything new for a year. How did they do? Read Shopping Sabbatical Article to find out. I think we should start a compact here in my town and see how it goes. I especially love that they are running away from Wal-Mart!

seeding

Well, I was motivated by Melissa's post on her garden. We have been working in the garden/yard for the past few days and so I have been ordering seeds. I just placed my order with Bountiful Gardens because I think they're the best around...and shipping is great as well. Yesterday, I bought walking cabbage seeds from Value Seeds. I have never ordered from them before, so don't know what to expect, but I have heard good things and the prices they have are hard to beat.

This year, we are going to try some grains (rice and wheat). We'll see what happens. Being from Louisiana, I cook and eat a LOT of rice. So, we're going to see if we can grow it.

Check sidebar for my seed ordering recommendations.

Turnip greens and black-eyed peas...

Yummy! I picked all these from our garden today. I think there's some mizuna mustard, red lettuce and turnip greens, of course. The mizuna I am not sure about because it was part of a salad mix. It rapidly outrew all the other salad greens and is stunting their growth. So...I just pulled up whole plants and cooked them. The turnip greens (with brown sugar, onions and bacon grease) were still really tender, no turnips yet, so the greens were quite delicious this year. The black-eyed peas were just with onions and some bacon grease, oregano and cayenne powder. We liked them a lot. To round it all out, we had rice and cornbread. I should have taken a picture or our homey spread--but I didn't.

What did you all have for your New Year's Day meals?

Hobbit house...

Can't you guys see us living in one of these? It is so lovely I wrote to the builder immediately. Ahhh...