Comments on: Independence Day Update http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/ Sharon Astyk's Ruminations on an Ambiguous Future Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:12:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Shira http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-9035 Shira Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:43:15 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-9035 The tomatoes are green except for the ones that are still flowers. The onions are looking good and I got in the half that has already had the tops fall over. With little storage space in my kitchen, I can eat some while I wait for the rest. Planted a section of the winter garden, little bitty cabbages and kale and whatnot. The seed harvest is amazing and mostly I have spent my spare moments shaking out big fat broccoli, kale and cabbage seeds, drying and turning and storing. I put a lot of time into cleaning a harvest of black mustard seed for culinary purposes, but my mustard isn't that hot. I think my maritime location is working against me. My hot peppers are fruiting at last. They aren't very hot either, and the deer ate all the sweet pepper plants. Herbs are producing bountifully. I just love wandering out in my fuzzy bathrobe for baby vegetables and fresh herbs to put in a breakfast omelet. I've been eating the elegant miniature summer squashes and saving the big ones for my friend's goat. I got some lessons in goat husbandry, quite the experience for a city girl. Made some apricot jam; gave away homemade bread; somebody else gave me a whole pile of organic carrots; fixed a computer for $50, a half gallon of squashy raspberries and a bag of boneset seeds. Sorry, all you informal economy enthusiasts, the $50 is reportable business income. The raspberries went into a tart. Anybody who would like free seeds, I have more than I can possibly use or give away locally to the usual suspects. Send an email to plant underscore poet the at sign yahoo dot com for details. While supplies last. Shira in Bellingham The tomatoes are green except for the ones that are still flowers. The onions are looking good and I got in the half that has already had the tops fall over. With little storage space in my kitchen, I can eat some while I wait for the rest. Planted a section of the winter garden, little bitty cabbages and kale and whatnot.

The seed harvest is amazing and mostly I have spent my spare moments shaking out big fat broccoli, kale and cabbage seeds, drying and turning and storing. I put a lot of time into cleaning a harvest of black mustard seed for culinary purposes, but my mustard isn’t that hot. I think my maritime location is working against me.

My hot peppers are fruiting at last. They aren’t very hot either, and the deer ate all the sweet pepper plants. Herbs are producing bountifully. I just love wandering out in my fuzzy bathrobe for baby vegetables and fresh herbs to put in a breakfast omelet. I’ve been eating the elegant miniature summer squashes and saving the big ones for my friend’s goat. I got some lessons in goat husbandry, quite the experience for a city girl.

Made some apricot jam; gave away homemade bread; somebody else gave me a whole pile of organic carrots; fixed a computer for $50, a half gallon of squashy raspberries and a bag of boneset seeds. Sorry, all you informal economy enthusiasts, the $50 is reportable business income. The raspberries went into a tart.

Anybody who would like free seeds, I have more than I can possibly use or give away locally to the usual suspects. Send an email to plant underscore poet the at sign yahoo dot com for details. While supplies last.

Shira in Bellingham

]]> By: Rosa http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-9002 Rosa Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:27:33 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-9002 and how do you make zucchini "noodles", and do you have to do anything different than real noodles when you cook them? I have lots and lots and lots of zucchini over here... and how do you make zucchini “noodles”, and do you have to do anything different than real noodles when you cook them? I have lots and lots and lots of zucchini over here…

]]> By: bryant http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-8989 bryant Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:09:52 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-8989 Sharon, I am curious, how do you hull your buckwheat? Sharon,

I am curious, how do you hull your buckwheat?

]]> By: Robj98168 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-8987 Robj98168 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:54:14 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-8987 It has been a long and fruitful summer at Rob's world here is a list of things I did so far this year: Sharon's Independance Day's Challenge: Plant something: Planted a Transplanted a tomato plant bought at Lowes in my topsy turvy tomato planter, replanted radishes, planted a new bucket of peas; Planted Broccoli, string beans, beets, for fall crop and replanted radishes Prep something: prepped new bedding for worm bin, went around to thrift stores looking for a water bath canner,Bought canning supplies and a water bath canner, Preserve something: Made 5 jars of Loganberry jam, made 5 jars of strawberry jam, 3 jars apricot jam, 3 jars of blackberry jam, 3 jars of boysenberry jam; Started some Blackberry brandy, apricot brandy; Froze some cauliflower, dried some herbs- basil, dill seed, and catnip; dehydrated apricots and golden plums, Made pickles Harvest something: Radishes. Some swiss chard, some lettuce, Cucumbers, some borage, Manage something: Got canning supplies together. Working on storage area for canning and dehydrating supplies, put up lumber storage in garage Cook something new: Loganberry Jam, Strawberry Jam. A loganberry/blackberry pie, cherry cobbler, Tried Chile’s fried rice (but I put chicken in it), Pickles, Insalata Caprese Salad Work on Local Food Systems: Went shopping at Farmers Market. Posted a small directory on local foods on my blog and website! Picked blackberries at work on my lunch break; shared part of my harvest with my mother Compost, Repair, Reuse, Reduce, Recycle something: Put old computer equiptment on freecycle. Made a basket for honda motorscooter, now I can take it to the store! Repaired broken couch, prepped new bedding for worm bin, changed worm bedding, got the worm castings out and fed plants; put old printer on freecycle; Fertilized with Liquid Gold; Got a new outdoor light fixture (new still in box) for the back door to replace bad light fixture, Free on freecycle! (This is the door that leads to the garage- needs a light so I can see my way!)Also installed solar yard light I bought last spring to light my way to the compost Bin! Repaired watering wand to water plants in baskets or high up. Learn a skill: Learned how to make Jam, Learned how to make jerky; Learned how to make a potato condo. Will make one next season; Learned how to make a mason bee house Phew! I am tired- but it's a good tired at the end of the day! Don't know how martha stewart does it all! It has been a long and fruitful summer at Rob’s world here is a list of things I did so far this year:
Sharon’s Independance Day’s Challenge:
Plant something: Planted a Transplanted a tomato plant bought at Lowes in my topsy turvy tomato planter, replanted radishes, planted a new bucket of peas; Planted Broccoli, string beans, beets, for fall crop and replanted radishes
Prep something: prepped new bedding for worm bin, went around to thrift stores looking for a water bath canner,Bought canning supplies and a water bath canner,
Preserve something: Made 5 jars of Loganberry jam, made 5 jars of strawberry jam, 3 jars apricot jam, 3 jars of blackberry jam, 3 jars of boysenberry jam; Started some Blackberry brandy, apricot brandy; Froze some cauliflower, dried some herbs- basil, dill seed, and catnip; dehydrated apricots and golden plums, Made pickles
Harvest something: Radishes. Some swiss chard, some lettuce, Cucumbers, some borage,
Manage something: Got canning supplies together. Working on storage area for canning and dehydrating supplies, put up lumber storage in garage
Cook something new: Loganberry Jam, Strawberry Jam. A loganberry/blackberry pie, cherry cobbler, Tried Chile’s fried rice (but I put chicken in it), Pickles, Insalata Caprese Salad
Work on Local Food Systems: Went shopping at Farmers Market. Posted a small directory on local foods on my blog and website! Picked blackberries at work on my lunch break; shared part of my harvest with my mother
Compost, Repair, Reuse, Reduce, Recycle something: Put old computer equiptment on freecycle. Made a basket for honda motorscooter, now I can take it to the store! Repaired broken couch, prepped new bedding for worm bin, changed worm bedding, got the worm castings out and fed plants; put old printer on freecycle; Fertilized with Liquid Gold; Got a new outdoor light fixture (new still in box) for the back door to replace bad light fixture, Free on freecycle! (This is the door that leads to the garage- needs a light so I can see my way!)Also installed solar yard light I bought last spring to light my way to the compost Bin! Repaired watering wand to water plants in baskets or high up.
Learn a skill: Learned how to make Jam, Learned how to make jerky; Learned how to make a potato condo. Will make one next season; Learned how to make a mason bee house
Phew! I am tired- but it’s a good tired at the end of the day! Don’t know how martha stewart does it all!

]]> By: Rosa http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-8986 Rosa Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:41:48 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-8986 Oh, I forgot, I made pesto too. That's why I harvested basil. And maybe under managed I can put "dumped all the dirt out of the pots Mica 'weeded' when I wasn't looking". Though that's more under the "gave up on dead project" section we don't have. Oh, I forgot, I made pesto too. That’s why I harvested basil. And maybe under managed I can put “dumped all the dirt out of the pots Mica ‘weeded’ when I wasn’t looking”. Though that’s more under the “gave up on dead project” section we don’t have.

]]> By: Ani http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-8981 Ani Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:09:11 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-8981 ok- this has gotten me more motivated to do something for home-use- so made pesto and froze it, and stashed some green beans away in the freezer as well. Also got the brine pickles started.... Am trying something new this year which you suggested Sharon- freezing in jars-so far so good..... Last year was my first experience with a chest freezer- and a total disaster as I think it wasn't quite cold enough perhaps- it's a 12 V that runs off my off-grid system- and so the food I froze seemed to not freeze as well as it should-so everything stunk basically and all the smells permeated everything- which were in freezer bags- so everything smelled/tasted like rotting brocolli or something, thus lost the whole freezer-full as it was gross! So, I cleaned it out and lowered the thermostat which now reads -12 C which should be cold enough I hope. And, since I hate using plastic bags anyway, am using canning jars which should keep odors from mingling as well... We'll see...... Have little hope of drying anything as I need to use the sun for that, or else hang stuff to air-dry- the basil I picked last week is still wet as can be....... pretty wild weather- for this I could live on the west coast and at least have warmer winters! ok- this has gotten me more motivated to do something for home-use- so made pesto and froze it, and stashed some green beans away in the freezer as well. Also got the brine pickles started….

Am trying something new this year which you suggested Sharon- freezing in jars-so far so good….. Last year was my first experience with a chest freezer- and a total disaster as I think it wasn’t quite cold enough perhaps- it’s a 12 V that runs off my off-grid system- and so the food I froze seemed to not freeze as well as it should-so everything stunk basically and all the smells permeated everything- which were in freezer bags- so everything smelled/tasted like rotting brocolli or something, thus lost the whole freezer-full as it was gross! So, I cleaned it out and lowered the thermostat which now reads -12 C which should be cold enough I hope. And, since I hate using plastic bags anyway, am using canning jars which should keep odors from mingling as well…

We’ll see……

Have little hope of drying anything as I need to use the sun for that, or else hang stuff to air-dry- the basil I picked last week is still wet as can be……. pretty wild weather- for this I could live on the west coast and at least have warmer winters!

]]> By: Rosa http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-8975 Rosa Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:45:33 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-8975 planted - cilantro, again, in hopes of catching it before it bolts this time (it was 40 degrees this morning, so maybe I can this time). Buckwheat, just for the flowers & to fight off the echinacea a little. harvested - basil preserved - lots and lots and lots of zucchini & carrots manage - we have roaches (ick) so I am cleaning the heck out of my pantry. Also, the roaches freak my boyfriend out so he's actually helping, which is awesome. My kitchen was CLEAN this morning. cooked - zucchini-carrot pan cakes, using a latke recipe. Was dinner last night and breakfast this morning - I think I may do it again wednesday night to tweak the recipe. prepped - a friend visited this weekend and while we were out & about I stocked up on bike tires. Then I got a flat on the way to work this morning, so I'm feeling pretty smart. planted - cilantro, again, in hopes of catching it before it bolts this time (it was 40 degrees this morning, so maybe I can this time). Buckwheat, just for the flowers & to fight off the echinacea a little.
harvested - basil
preserved - lots and lots and lots of zucchini & carrots
manage - we have roaches (ick) so I am cleaning the heck out of my pantry. Also, the roaches freak my boyfriend out so he’s actually helping, which is awesome. My kitchen was CLEAN this morning.
cooked - zucchini-carrot pan cakes, using a latke recipe. Was dinner last night and breakfast this morning - I think I may do it again wednesday night to tweak the recipe.
prepped - a friend visited this weekend and while we were out & about I stocked up on bike tires. Then I got a flat on the way to work this morning, so I’m feeling pretty smart.

]]> By: risa b http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-8973 risa b Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:05:10 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-8973 Oh! and ... Harvest Something Addendum: The pears weren't ready yet. But I ran over to the reservoir for a compost fish (northern pikeminnow) aand brought one back, but also a good-sized trout, which one doesn't expect in August in that water. :) Oh! and …

Harvest Something Addendum: The pears weren’t ready yet. But I ran over to the reservoir for a compost fish (northern pikeminnow) aand brought one back, but also a good-sized trout, which one doesn’t expect in August in that water. :)

]]> By: Deb G http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-8963 Deb G Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:10:50 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-8963 Planted: Kale, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and lettuce over the last couple weeks. Harvested: My first zucchini for the year! Shelling beans (just a handful, planted as an experiment), lots of raspberries, Yellow Transparent Apples, blueberries, potatoes, garlic, onions. Found my first red cherry tomato yesterday. It's not quite ripe, hopefully in the next couple days. Preserved: Applesauce, apricot jam, tomatillio salsa. Froze some cherries and rhubarb to make preserves later. Not sure if I mentioned it on last Independence days round-up, but I canned raspberries and cherries for the first time (rather than freezing). I'm hoping to do blackberries too. Trying to diversify how I store fruit. Managed reserves: I cleaned out the freezer and reorganized :) Cooked something new: I tried sweeting a pie with honey for the first time. Pretty good. Tried a new bread recipe with semolina flour in it. Very good. Made a soup using the tomatillio salsa for the veggies. Excellent. Stored something: Peanut butter, canned salmon, a couple soups that were on sale, dried black beans, and nuts that were on sale. Prepped: Working on quilts with material from the scrap pile. Might have to go check out "Linens." I like to use flannel sheets for the batting. Also started bike shopping. I'm leaning towards a three wheel (trike style) bike. Planted: Kale, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and lettuce over the last couple weeks.

Harvested: My first zucchini for the year! Shelling beans (just a handful, planted as an experiment), lots of raspberries, Yellow Transparent Apples, blueberries, potatoes, garlic, onions. Found my first red cherry tomato yesterday. It’s not quite ripe, hopefully in the next couple days.

Preserved: Applesauce, apricot jam, tomatillio salsa. Froze some cherries and rhubarb to make preserves later. Not sure if I mentioned it on last Independence days round-up, but I canned raspberries and cherries for the first time (rather than freezing). I’m hoping to do blackberries too. Trying to diversify how I store fruit.

Managed reserves: I cleaned out the freezer and reorganized :)

Cooked something new: I tried sweeting a pie with honey for the first time. Pretty good. Tried a new bread recipe with semolina flour in it. Very good. Made a soup using the tomatillio salsa for the veggies. Excellent.

Stored something: Peanut butter, canned salmon, a couple soups that were on sale, dried black beans, and nuts that were on sale.

Prepped: Working on quilts with material from the scrap pile. Might have to go check out “Linens.” I like to use flannel sheets for the batting. Also started bike shopping. I’m leaning towards a three wheel (trike style) bike.

]]> By: Susan (in Seattle...with new public blog) http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-8962 Susan (in Seattle...with new public blog) Mon, 11 Aug 2008 05:20:32 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/08/10/independence-day-update/#comment-8962 I've been waiting and waiting for the Independence Days update so I could tell y'all that I finally figured out what was wrong with my garden. It was the soil I purchased from Home Depot! My post here http://www.suzqueue.com/harvest_moon/blog/Entries/2008/7/20_Don’t_buy_your_garden_soil_at_home_depot.html shows it in photos and text. Since I posted that, I have replanted everything (in the hopes of a very late harvest) and fed the plants organic plant food once more. They're growing fine now, and I even have a pumpkin blossom today. Of course, I'm not likely to have any actual crops, but it started out as an experimental garden and I sure have learned a lot. Guess that's about all I could ask. Good thing I'm not dependent upon this garden for actual food. I've fallen by the wayside on all the prepping, cooking, managing, learning and whatnot I'm supposed to be doing, though. I don't think I have anything else to report beyond the very late epiphany as to why my garden simply was not growing. I’ve been waiting and waiting for the Independence Days update so I could tell y’all that I finally figured out what was wrong with my garden. It was the soil I purchased from Home Depot! My post here http://www.suzqueue.com/harvest_moon/blog/Entries/2008/7/20_Don’t_buy_your_garden_soil_at_home_depot.html shows it in photos and text. Since I posted that, I have replanted everything (in the hopes of a very late harvest) and fed the plants organic plant food once more. They’re growing fine now, and I even have a pumpkin blossom today. Of course, I’m not likely to have any actual crops, but it started out as an experimental garden and I sure have learned a lot. Guess that’s about all I could ask. Good thing I’m not dependent upon this garden for actual food.

I’ve fallen by the wayside on all the prepping, cooking, managing, learning and whatnot I’m supposed to be doing, though. I don’t think I have anything else to report beyond the very late epiphany as to why my garden simply was not growing.

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