Comments on: Independence Days Update – The Marathon http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/ Finding the keys to the future…and trying not to lose them in the mess. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:23:05 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: iTunes Codes Card http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-22242 iTunes Codes Card Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:01:42 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/#comment-22242 This is a informative blog and I will be back soon. Thanks for the timely message! I hope all is well. This is a informative blog and I will be back soon. Thanks for the timely message! I hope all is well.

]]> By: Sharon http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-19014 Sharon Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:21:26 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/#comment-19014 FF, I like fresh salsa better too - but there aren't any fresh tomatoes or cilantro in the winter, and I like some salsa better than no salsa ;-), and yes, you lose some nutritional value. On the other hand, again, depending on climate, not as much as, say, not having enough to eat all winter ;-). That's pretty much what goes into our salsa, and while not as good, it is awfully tasty come february when we haven't had a ripe tomato in three months. Michelle - Our goats love them too. They are decent barn bedding as well. Fern, prayers for your MIL - that's awful. Sharon FF, I like fresh salsa better too – but there aren’t any fresh tomatoes or cilantro in the winter, and I like some salsa better than no salsa ;-) , and yes, you lose some nutritional value. On the other hand, again, depending on climate, not as much as, say, not having enough to eat all winter ;-) .

That’s pretty much what goes into our salsa, and while not as good, it is awfully tasty come february when we haven’t had a ripe tomato in three months.

Michelle – Our goats love them too. They are decent barn bedding as well.

Fern, prayers for your MIL – that’s awful.

Sharon

]]> By: Future Farmer http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-19013 Future Farmer Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:40:36 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/#comment-19013 Preserved: 9 quarts of tomatoes from three raised beds. The first time EVER canning something I've grown! But I have a question about Sharon's salsa. Whenever I make my own salsa for immediate consumption, I always just use raw tomatoes, fresh cilantro, lime juice, garlic, and chilies. But if I canned this, wouldn't the poor cilantro be reduced to a pitiful, flavorless mush due to all the boiling water heat? I've also read that the tomatoes themselves lose considerable vitamin potency because of the processing. Suggestions and experiences, anyone? Preserved: 9 quarts of tomatoes from three raised beds. The first time EVER canning something I’ve grown!

But I have a question about Sharon’s salsa. Whenever I make my own salsa for immediate consumption, I always just use raw tomatoes, fresh cilantro, lime juice, garlic, and chilies.

But if I canned this, wouldn’t the poor cilantro be reduced to a pitiful, flavorless mush due to all the boiling water heat? I’ve also read that the tomatoes themselves lose considerable vitamin potency because of the processing.

Suggestions and experiences, anyone?

]]> By: Michelle http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-19012 Michelle Thu, 03 Sep 2009 01:42:13 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/#comment-19012 Sharon - just a what-for - my rabbits LOVE corn husks. You can convert some of your leavings into fertilizer quicker than composting them if you share them with your rabbits. Sharon – just a what-for – my rabbits LOVE corn husks. You can convert some of your leavings into fertilizer quicker than composting them if you share them with your rabbits.

]]> By: Gina http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-19011 Gina Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:35:15 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/#comment-19011 A bit behind (seems to be a trend with me this year). Still cool here (nights dipping down into the 40's) and I think the summer garden is almost done for the year. This means I am almost done canning tomatoes (yay!) I still need to make ketchup and some more sauce with the ripe ones and then a final picking of green for green salsa. Plans are then to yank out the spent plants and start to amend the soil in the garden for next year. 2 week update at the blog (meager as it is...)! A bit behind (seems to be a trend with me this year). Still cool here (nights dipping down into the 40’s) and I think the summer garden is almost done for the year. This means I am almost done canning tomatoes (yay!) I still need to make ketchup and some more sauce with the ripe ones and then a final picking of green for green salsa. Plans are then to yank out the spent plants and start to amend the soil in the garden for next year.

2 week update at the blog (meager as it is…)!

]]> By: Rob http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-19010 Rob Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:51:35 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/#comment-19010 Had a busier week- got more done than last week, have a more <a href="http://robj98168.blogspot.com/2009/08/nothing-special-weekly-challenge-update.html" rel="nofollow">more detailed post</a> on my blog 1. Plant something: Some turnips; kale, leeks, lettuce, salad greens, radishes 2. Harvest something: Turnip, tomatoes, Salad greens, Blackberries, Banana Peppers Community garden- summer squash, chard, peas, tomatoes 3 pounds to the food bank 3. Preserve something: Pickled cherry tomatoes with raisins, 4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something): Saved two coffee canisters for door prize tickets and car show balloting; a couple of pop bottles from work for bell cloches and funnels for some of the self watering planters (Make it easier to fill them from hose) Bought a new PVC Free Shower curtain. My old one will be used as a truck tarp- That will be me driving down the road with the tarp with surfboards on it! 5.Preperation and Storage:Piclled Cehrry tomatoes with raisins 6. Build Community Food Systems: Took three pounds of produce from the community garden to the food bank; did my watering day at the community garden, 7. Eat the Food (cook or eat something new)- Double stuffed Banana French Toast; Pickled Cherry Tomatoes; Mascarpone and Blackberry Stuffed French Toast Had a busier week- got more done than last week, have a more more detailed post on my blog
1. Plant something: Some turnips; kale, leeks, lettuce, salad greens, radishes
2. Harvest something: Turnip, tomatoes, Salad greens, Blackberries, Banana Peppers
Community garden- summer squash, chard, peas, tomatoes 3 pounds to the food bank
3. Preserve something: Pickled cherry tomatoes with raisins,
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something): Saved two coffee canisters for door prize tickets and car show balloting; a couple of pop bottles from work for bell cloches and funnels for some of the self watering planters (Make it easier to fill them from hose) Bought a new PVC Free Shower curtain. My old one will be used as a truck tarp- That will be me driving down the road with the tarp with surfboards on it!
5.Preperation and Storage:Piclled Cehrry tomatoes with raisins
6. Build Community Food Systems: Took three pounds of produce from the community garden to the food bank; did my watering day at the community garden,
7. Eat the Food (cook or eat something new)- Double stuffed Banana French Toast; Pickled Cherry Tomatoes; Mascarpone and Blackberry Stuffed French Toast

]]> By: Susan in NJ http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-19009 Susan in NJ Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:13:04 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/#comment-19009 Plant: No. Harvest: Sage, thyme, rosemary, a couple of tomatoes. Preserve: No. Waste Not: Illness, lethargy, awayness and weather resulted in a lot of produce on the compost heap. Sigh. Want Not: Refilled kitchen dried fruit containers. Got more sides for building raised beds out by the garage and bok choy and broccoli starts. Community: Shopped the farmer’s market. Eat: Nothing new. Plant: No.

Harvest: Sage, thyme, rosemary, a couple of tomatoes.

Preserve: No.

Waste Not: Illness, lethargy, awayness and weather resulted in a lot of produce on the compost heap. Sigh.

Want Not: Refilled kitchen dried fruit containers. Got more sides for building raised beds out by the garage and bok choy and broccoli starts.

Community: Shopped the farmer’s market.

Eat: Nothing new.

]]> By: Fern http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-19008 Fern Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:11:34 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/#comment-19008 Harvested and canned tomatoes. The tomato plants are now slowing down - I won't have to can any more of them this year. Bought some more canning lids, to replace the ones I've used so far this year. Hung up hot peppers - Thai and cayenne - to dry. Froze green peppers as per husband's preference. Started work expanding the garden area. Since I've a TINY garden area, this means putting down a layer of newspaper and topping that with 6 inches of grass clippings from the compost heap. In 5 more weeks I'll have tripled the back yard garden area. Well, it will be garden in the spring, after the grass dies off from the newspapers and mulch. Contemplating planting garlic. Did start more ginger. Split the large ginger into 3 pots, and have LOTS of turmeric that has come up and is growing vigorously! Wishing I could afford to buy peaches to can/dry, but don't have the $$$. Since we're not getting our weekly baked goodies from the Farmers Market due to $$$, I've learned to bake EXCELLENT oatmeal raisin cookies (with cinnamon, toasted nuts, and nutmeg). Community stuff on hold, been busy with business stuff and aftermath of Mother In Law being mugged (90 year old woman, thrown to ground, not only broke arm but needed plate and screws put in. But with osteoporosis, even that is very complicated - and had to wait 2 weeks for surgery due to the Plavix she's been on since her heart attack 6 or so years back). Had to push husband to make some of the calls to medical people on this. I'm the medical maven here, but if *I* get ill/injured someone else needs to be able to step up. Frondly, Fern Harvested and canned tomatoes. The tomato plants are now slowing down – I won’t have to can any more of them this year. Bought some more canning lids, to replace the ones I’ve used so far this year.

Hung up hot peppers – Thai and cayenne – to dry. Froze green peppers as per husband’s preference.

Started work expanding the garden area. Since I’ve a TINY garden area, this means putting down a layer of newspaper and topping that with 6 inches of grass clippings from the compost heap. In 5 more weeks I’ll have tripled the back yard garden area. Well, it will be garden in the spring, after the grass dies off from the newspapers and mulch.

Contemplating planting garlic. Did start more ginger. Split the large ginger into 3 pots, and have LOTS of turmeric that has come up and is growing vigorously!

Wishing I could afford to buy peaches to can/dry, but don’t have the $$$.

Since we’re not getting our weekly baked goodies from the Farmers Market due to $$$, I’ve learned to bake EXCELLENT oatmeal raisin cookies (with cinnamon, toasted nuts, and nutmeg).

Community stuff on hold, been busy with business stuff and aftermath of Mother In Law being mugged (90 year old woman, thrown to ground, not only broke arm but needed plate and screws put in. But with osteoporosis, even that is very complicated – and had to wait 2 weeks for surgery due to the Plavix she’s been on since her heart attack 6 or so years back). Had to push husband to make some of the calls to medical people on this. I’m the medical maven here, but if *I* get ill/injured someone else needs to be able to step up.

Frondly, Fern

]]> By: Ah, September–and Independence Days Update « Lisa Zahn Writes http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-19007 Ah, September–and Independence Days Update « Lisa Zahn Writes Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:54:37 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/#comment-19007 [...] Casaubon’s Book is the originator of these posts and she put one of her own up the other day, at this link here…I didn’t do much gardening this summer because I didn’t feel well (sometime [...] [...] Casaubon’s Book is the originator of these posts and she put one of her own up the other day, at this link here…I didn’t do much gardening this summer because I didn’t feel well (sometime [...]

]]> By: heathenmom http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/comment-page-1/#comment-19006 heathenmom Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:37:14 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2009/08/31/independence-days-update-the-marathon/#comment-19006 Plant: Too wet to plant: we got about 10" of rain last week, and it's still coming. We're gearing up for fall planting if it ever stops raining long enough. :P Harvest: okra, tomatoes, poblano peppers, eggs, herbs; weeds and tomato hornworms for the chickens Preserve: Tomatoes (dried), okra (pickled) Waste Not: I’m working with a co-worker to design rainwater catchment systems for our workplace (a power plant). The first step is installing irrigation for our flower beds. The next step is convincing The People Who Control the Money that we should make the investment to harvest the water from the roofs of all the buildings on our plant site (millions of gallons annually) to use in plant operations instead of pulling from the aquifer as we’re doing now. My supervisor thinks that, if it goes well, we could probably convince Corporate to support using our ideas system-wide. I cannot tell you how excited I am about this! It’s a HUGE long-term project, but the environmental impact could be tremendous. Think happy thoughts for us. :) Other than that, just normal composting/recycling/critter feeding. Want Not/Prep/Store: * I put this under Community Food System last week, but I think that community-building not specifically related to food belongs more under “Prep.” Tuesday was our first civic club meeting and it was GREAT! I volunteered to help organize the Halloween Carnival (the civic club's biggest fundraiser of the year). This meeting was a really, really big deal for us as a family. I've been so worried that all of my grandmother's trash talk about our religion would have the whole town ready to burn us at the stake. I'm pretty ashamed of myself that I made such assumptions about people. Everybody was so nice. :) We even met a nice couple – new to the area – who are pretty serious preppers! I'm hoping to get to know them a little better. * Picked up a couple of pairs of 2nd-hand boots for my oldest. * Got 2 kid-sized backpacks for my girls, to use as their bug-out bags. We already had some extra adult-sized packs for me and dh. Now, to actually pack them. Community Food System: The first order of business at the civic club meeting was discussion about the new deep well they’re planning to have put in, and the hand pump they’re going to install on the current shallow well. The leader of the group said that, in an emergency where the power is out for several days, there’s no reason for the community not to have a water source. I think I’m gonna like this new group!! Eat the Food: * More stir-fried okra and peppers. * I’ve been eating a lot more oatmeal from the pantry, mixed with fresh local fruit. Mmm! Plant: Too wet to plant: we got about 10″ of rain last week, and it’s still coming. We’re gearing up for fall planting if it ever stops raining long enough. :P

Harvest: okra, tomatoes, poblano peppers, eggs, herbs; weeds and tomato hornworms for the chickens

Preserve: Tomatoes (dried), okra (pickled)

Waste Not: I’m working with a co-worker to design rainwater catchment systems for our workplace (a power plant). The first step is installing irrigation for our flower beds. The next step is convincing The People Who Control the Money that we should make the investment to harvest the water from the roofs of all the buildings on our plant site (millions of gallons annually) to use in plant operations instead of pulling from the aquifer as we’re doing now. My supervisor thinks that, if it goes well, we could probably convince Corporate to support using our ideas system-wide. I cannot tell you how excited I am about this! It’s a HUGE long-term project, but the environmental impact could be tremendous. Think happy thoughts for us. :) Other than that, just normal composting/recycling/critter feeding.

Want Not/Prep/Store: * I put this under Community Food System last week, but I think that community-building not specifically related to food belongs more under “Prep.” Tuesday was our first civic club meeting and it was GREAT! I volunteered to help organize the Halloween Carnival (the civic club’s biggest fundraiser of the year). This meeting was a really, really big deal for us as a family. I’ve been so worried that all of my grandmother’s trash talk about our religion would have the whole town ready to burn us at the stake. I’m pretty ashamed of myself that I made such assumptions about people. Everybody was so nice. :) We even met a nice couple – new to the area – who are pretty serious preppers! I’m hoping to get to know them a little better. * Picked up a couple of pairs of 2nd-hand boots for my oldest. * Got 2 kid-sized backpacks for my girls, to use as their bug-out bags. We already had some extra adult-sized packs for me and dh. Now, to actually pack them.

Community Food System: The first order of business at the civic club meeting was discussion about the new deep well they’re planning to have put in, and the hand pump they’re going to install on the current shallow well. The leader of the group said that, in an emergency where the power is out for several days, there’s no reason for the community not to have a water source. I think I’m gonna like this new group!!

Eat the Food: * More stir-fried okra and peppers. * I’ve been eating a lot more oatmeal from the pantry, mixed with fresh local fruit. Mmm!

]]>