Garden Fuss

A big part of why I do this blog is chronicle what works and doesn't work in and around my garden. Mostly because it ultimately will end up on our table or our neighbors and relatives tables. So I can't just fly blindly into the garden and just dig aimlessly at the crusty earth. I have to plan and prepare before I begin sometimes doing some testing of the area I plan to plant in. I have to research and decide what plants can successfully grow in my area... yada yada yada! I could go on and on about my process but for now I won't bore you. Gardening and it's larger counterpart Farming are usually learned skills. I have a knack and my husband would say insatiable desire to learn. This is why I'm posting information today about a great opportunity for those interested in expanding upon what they currently do or for those interested in dipping a foot into the field (so to speak) of farming. Years ago I participated as a jelly/jam vendor in a local farmers market here...

I have been contemplating for weeks how to start off this new year's blogging. I've thought about talking about the weather, the soups, the stews, the DIY projects I have planned. Ultimately I decided 3.5 seconds ago to talk about the countless seed catalogs that have been finding their way to me for the last several weeks. I am not complaining at all, and I so look forward to reading each of them at least three times before deciding which ones to order from. However, I do have issues with some of the names that are being chosen for the same exact plants. Maybe it's the region or the companies themselves are just trying to make things more interesting. All I know is that if I want to try something new I'd like to know it's origins and maybe the scientific name would be helpful to include so if a person like myself finds the same plant/seed and it has an alternate name(s) we can be assured of what it is we are trying to grow. Seriously is a Winged Bean a Pea or not...

So I went to the gym yesterday for a last of 2011 workout. I'm sure I lost some calories, but I also picked up a nasty bug. I've had fever chills and shakes since 8:00 pm yesterday and all I could think about having was kymchee rice. Thanks to my loving daughter my first meal of the new year today is her flavorful healthy and Delicious rice. The best part is I didn't have to attempt to make it myself. Somehow my rice overcooks and is too sticky but she gets the grains perfect and I relish the tart then saltiness of the fermented turnips and radish. It is just so good I have to get off of this blog here to indulge. Happy New Year World!! May there be plenty sowing of seeds and goodness this year. PEACE UP!

It's been a long time since I've updated but these were just too neat to not share. All natural ingredients then colored with jam and all natural food dye... We are so getting in the know about this kind of stuff. I'm just so happy to share these with my family and any friends who happen over this season.

Today we came, we saw, and we said good bye to one of many farmers markets closing for the season this weekend. No sooner than arriving did the family and I start pining for, and talking up 2012's market days. Already I can see braving the still cool chilly mornings for hot coffee or cocoa from food trucks like Arepas while on the lookout for asparagus and the first fresh sweet lettuce, spinach and spring onions from local farmers. I may have been nervous about trying ramps before, but after an introduction to them this year part of me now can't wait to snatch up a few bundles to make my own herbed oils, ramp soups, and even a fragrant stir-fry. Like the farmers I met today I am ready to be rid of this years bounty. It was hard work but very much worth it. There are still brussels sprouts, kale, swiss chard and beets in amazing colors to harvest yet. I have got to get busy pickling what's left so I can feed my face in grattitude of this years bounty while flipping through t...

It's been too many months since we've indulged in a pizza night. Well with school back in and everyones schedules picking up for the fall we have to make a point to get everyone involved in communing together. Tonights culinary activities got us a chicken brocolli and (homemade) pesto pizza with an accompanying meaty boy pizza that is full of turkey pepperoni and italian sausage. To burn off our delicious weekend endeavor we did manage to get in a very long almost 2 hour walk with the dog. Overkill? Maybe, but getting the family together outdoors ad involved with dinner is importat to me and the DH. Sunny days like this are too far and few in our region so it's importat to take advantage of the good stuff. I think my fam knows the good stuff is when we're together.