tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78144701167292675432024-03-09T21:46:18.762-05:00Happy Homean adventure in urban homesteadingArikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.comBlogger256125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-2624747735883244802012-12-09T15:19:00.002-05:002012-12-09T15:19:46.763-05:00Happy Home Update- Settling into that Winter RoutineNot a lot going on in the garden front here now that it's December, but I'm still trying to find ways to appreciate local foods and incorporate them into my diet! I've started receiving my Stone Soup CSA, which is a mix of root veggies and grains- it's been awesome so far! I'll have to share a picture of my new grain mill in an action in the next post; I made some yummy Pumpkin Muffins with local roasted pumpkins and locally grown, home milled whole wheat flour!<br />
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Here are some highlights of what I've been up to:<br />
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3br031w3x6It7VSCaeocK2bbi8TsNLhIpAyp-YdGZMjXFsLQexcyLKza7qSCP02N5cmBeVj3mtqJ5EOwOtPdGBnZQexZMsHjHTpFKJierjTzHXGgeX0X4Lep-9_T43Zb204cpBVuVEXo/s1600/juice.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/AVvXsEjJ3br031w3x6It7VSCaeocK2bbi8TsNLhIpAyp-YdGZMjXFsLQexcyLKza7qSCP02N5cmBeVj3mtqJ5EOwOtPdGBnZQexZMsHjHTpFKJierjTzHXGgeX0X4Lep-9_T43Zb204cpBVuVEXo/s320/juice.jpg" width="240" /></a>
<li><b>Hitting my local Farmers' Market</b>, which has expanded from every other week to each and every Tuesday in November and December- woohoo!<br /></li>
<li><b>Started back up on my annual <a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2011/11/settling-into-winter-routine-again.html#.UMTwPIN9JuM" target="_blank">Winter Routine</a></b> of Saturday Local Grocery shopping, venturing out to the Ann Arbor Farmers' Market, the Food Cooperative there, to a locally-owned chain grocer (Busch's) and then to Whole Foods. I try to get as much local produce and products that I can from each stop!<br /></li>
<li><b>Exercising and really watching what I eat </b>lately, and have lost some weight, which is great!<br /></li>
<li>Started another <a href="http://5ftandfit.blogspot.com/">blog</a>, where I can share all my new fitness interests, finds, & success!<br /></li>
<li><b>Changed Eating Habits</b>- As a result of a more healthy and thoughtful diet, I've cut out a good deal of the grains and dairy products that I eat. I've had a lot more energy, and I can really tell the difference on a day when I over-indulge because I feel sluggish and my stomach is irritated!<br /></li>
<li><b>Trying out <a href="http://www.jointhereboot.com/" target="_blank">Juicing</a></b>- Today I<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">made homemade Carrot/Apple/Ginger juice thanks to a friend</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">, who let me try out her juicer! Someone should probably just write a warning label on the cover of the </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=208811752545685" href="http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: initial;">Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"> dvd. After-effects of watching DVD could include but are not limited to: May cause one to research juicers online for 2 hours, may result in juicer purchasing/borrowing from a friend, will most likely cause you to make an Apple & Carrot-based juice, exalting it's nutritive properties for the next hour to whoever will listen. </span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I'll be checking in early next week with a home grain milling demo and a product review of the hand mill I recently purchased! </span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-48825123760709415562012-09-15T10:24:00.001-04:002012-09-15T10:24:39.746-04:00Hello, I'm still here!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aXw9wXEPB3keNm3ebVJZq93A37W8uyoTTOu9qzhM2z0J0dD_DDs2CpFEPNtTp20xIwT03hpQfjSFH-xA6LeqEtkZV4TAmXlLmEW-TTfSynluGrfRGrCHPTIPAe3PPWeofz6mzmTotN_K/s1600/Columbus+Visit+9-1-12+007.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/AVvXsEi7aXw9wXEPB3keNm3ebVJZq93A37W8uyoTTOu9qzhM2z0J0dD_DDs2CpFEPNtTp20xIwT03hpQfjSFH-xA6LeqEtkZV4TAmXlLmEW-TTfSynluGrfRGrCHPTIPAe3PPWeofz6mzmTotN_K/s320/Columbus+Visit+9-1-12+007.JPG" width="240" /></a>I've had sort of mini-hiatus from blogging over the past 2 weeks- sorry for my absence! I've recently started an intense exercise program (of my own development) and that's taken up a lot of the time that used to be "sit on the couch and blog" time- funny how that works.<br />
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I've had lots of thoughts swirling about in my head for the past several weeks: eating "healthy" and what that really means, physical activity and its importance in our pretty sedentary American society, and how to make "healthy", "local", "organic", and "seasonal" all jive together in your life and your diet.<br />
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I also recently watch the documentary <u>Bag It</u> and that (in the best way possible) has added a whole additional layer of critical thought about how I can function better in a society built on plastic. Also, when will our society get to a place where we realize all of this (shipping food across the country and the world just for "customer choice", using single use disposable plastic for SO many things, making food product containers laced with chemicals like BPAs and phalates) might be more "convenient" but is certainly contributing to health problems, pollution, global warming, etc.<br />
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Heavy thoughts for a Saturday morning huh? On that note, I'm off to teach a canning class. I'll be back to a regular blogging schedule here, too, so keep an eye out for more posts!<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
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-Arika<div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-84233231868005969662012-08-31T22:55:00.000-04:002012-08-31T22:55:17.296-04:00Celebrating our Farmers this Labor Day<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleQwp-GanA30eO4i0CLd_fzTpR1H1IjZv9CL0hLfA6M5Fi-QXJNUdjl11lnU0j7SLenVIYGHVCaBIepj921vZY55pbEhCkoNvQlIUAvjYcs46Kqgt322gS88AkBt8I2y3vaIBqBFORqjU/s1600/Columbus+Visit+9-1-12+011.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/AVvXsEhleQwp-GanA30eO4i0CLd_fzTpR1H1IjZv9CL0hLfA6M5Fi-QXJNUdjl11lnU0j7SLenVIYGHVCaBIepj921vZY55pbEhCkoNvQlIUAvjYcs46Kqgt322gS88AkBt8I2y3vaIBqBFORqjU/s320/Columbus+Visit+9-1-12+011.JPG" width="320" /></a>I'm in Columbus this weekend visiting my family! Some of my aunts & cousins, granddad and extended family are coming to my parents house and we'll be playing games and hanging outside, hopefully. It'll be a lot of fun!</div>
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My parents are nice and they've humored my desire for a mostly-local Labor Day meal. Really- I can't think of a much better way to celebrate local Farmers- some of the hardest working laborers in our country with the most important jobs; feeding our families & our country!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;">We're starting to gather the ingredients for the big Sunday cookout. I brought some freshly-harvested produce down from my garden to share. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><b>The Labor Day menu so far includes:</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9CyKF0dJH58B6PLlAj6syggMcG6cmRViNsbgEd_aKJpP0ppl4GEwGx8u5UTsA2aM4vMwEFixzwqSCDxnIvU08-zB9xwVKxPYiWwo4VEVLEm497nW8bRoeE_gFIJvW8CJ8t0SLlU3RYu2/s1600/Columbus+Visit+9-1-12+019.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/AVvXsEjG9CyKF0dJH58B6PLlAj6syggMcG6cmRViNsbgEd_aKJpP0ppl4GEwGx8u5UTsA2aM4vMwEFixzwqSCDxnIvU08-zB9xwVKxPYiWwo4VEVLEm497nW8bRoeE_gFIJvW8CJ8t0SLlU3RYu2/s320/Columbus+Visit+9-1-12+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Caprese Salad w/ tomatoes from my parents garden </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">My <a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2012/04/blog-post.html#.UEF4z9ZlQ7s" target="_blank">fav Potato Salad</a> w/ pink potatoes & garlic from my garden, & onions from my CSA </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Sweet Corn</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Mango Bean Salad w/ peppers from my CSA & garlic from my garden</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Hamburgers </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">a fruit plate, with my one prize cantaloupe :)</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZZrkfdAD1SpqU0_JAgQrDTOtkc53aLVjmLcTqFXG_x3EuplheClVoUaLDsnmRGm46qhCHF0l_6BhmpV5cuMmdMrCevXY11zAgGwQK8urmZSiLe9hU6g42Ck_-OaUiLIdHJD0-DigYN8l/s1600/Columbus+Visit+9-1-12+024.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/AVvXsEiYZZrkfdAD1SpqU0_JAgQrDTOtkc53aLVjmLcTqFXG_x3EuplheClVoUaLDsnmRGm46qhCHF0l_6BhmpV5cuMmdMrCevXY11zAgGwQK8urmZSiLe9hU6g42Ck_-OaUiLIdHJD0-DigYN8l/s320/Columbus+Visit+9-1-12+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We're heading to the <a href="http://www.clintonvillefarmersmarket.org/" target="_blank">Clintonville Farmers' Market</a> tomorrow morning and hopefully grabbing some of the 'missing pieces' - sweet corn, hamburger meat, and maybe some peaches for a special dessert. I've already got some good input from Columbus buddies on what vendors I should hit up first at the market before I go. I'm looking forward to seeing a new farmers' market here in my hometown!</div>
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Here's hoping that your Labor Day is relaxing and maybe even invigorating. If you can, find a way to appreciate and support your local farmers this labor day!</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-79003576022248760892012-08-29T09:46:00.000-04:002012-08-29T09:46:10.355-04:00What's Up Wednesday!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lots in bloom in the garden this week! All of my plantings for the Fall are really starting to grow- carrots, onions, broccoli, swiss chard, prize choy, lettuce, and sugar snaps. The tomatoes are starting to produce a bit less, so I thinned out the dried and dead stalks to try to make some space for new growth. Here are some pictures of what's up this week:</div>
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<strong>My one lone sunflower is blooming! </strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20xbFE58xrgZPjjE500gzjJRQBk4DPmgHvkO0Cf7lDaremk-EfTtURN2wbYWwfuewe4nYpDn01U-j7qqjAQsQ5PTYHfYX0QTAoQLNuHO4kvUREVdXB4MYNEmTGNWWeLDkbeGhxiH5MjN2/s1600/garden+8-28-12+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" fea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20xbFE58xrgZPjjE500gzjJRQBk4DPmgHvkO0Cf7lDaremk-EfTtURN2wbYWwfuewe4nYpDn01U-j7qqjAQsQ5PTYHfYX0QTAoQLNuHO4kvUREVdXB4MYNEmTGNWWeLDkbeGhxiH5MjN2/s400/garden+8-28-12+002.JPG" width="300" /></strong></a></div>
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<strong>The fall broccoli is looking healthy and getting taller every day</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWzlSzEMEMig_GRvBgmkrtghyphenhyphensO40Mmn7FKf5VdWIofqwGRSX2mMysV_PwE0f_GYsXepSNR-al6s-xwgvTnyQYLSHRyYKiN3bwAZODTREQLslHSDR2zgzf2wSHFLfR7Uivz9rD9t37chyphenhyphen/s1600/garden+8-28-12+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" fea="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWzlSzEMEMig_GRvBgmkrtghyphenhyphensO40Mmn7FKf5VdWIofqwGRSX2mMysV_PwE0f_GYsXepSNR-al6s-xwgvTnyQYLSHRyYKiN3bwAZODTREQLslHSDR2zgzf2wSHFLfR7Uivz9rD9t37chyphenhyphen/s400/garden+8-28-12+011.JPG" width="400" /></strong></a></div>
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<strong>I think it's about time to pick this cantaloupe!</strong></div>
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<strong>I transplanted some of the "walkers" from the <a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2012/03/sharing-and-trading-in-garden.html" target="_blank">Egyptian walking onions</a> I got this spring. </strong></div>
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<strong>They are now popping up everywhere in the designated "fall section" of the garden </strong></div>
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<strong>that will later be covered with a quick hoop. </strong></div>
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<strong> Made and canned some cucumber pickles this past weekend! </strong></div>
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<strong>Used the Dill Pickle recipe in the Freshly Packed Pickled Foods section of the </strong></div>
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<strong>Blue Book of Preserving. It's a new recipe for me- we'll see how they turn out!</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVN19IegkBNmF_mP2DvBqx8P21WYXA271-Phh3n-v5I-6wSLw0Pp2q-3DICZyHiAtYzBJNoByPf8CDCZpguv7QLOOfo-5V1twoDMV6LnytqTtx89e_sNv6cZVOh44FHMLQ45e2Nx8G0pVE/s1600/canning+8-26-12+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" fea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVN19IegkBNmF_mP2DvBqx8P21WYXA271-Phh3n-v5I-6wSLw0Pp2q-3DICZyHiAtYzBJNoByPf8CDCZpguv7QLOOfo-5V1twoDMV6LnytqTtx89e_sNv6cZVOh44FHMLQ45e2Nx8G0pVE/s400/canning+8-26-12+015.JPG" width="300" /></strong></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What's up in your Garden this week?</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-10378712733385451082012-08-27T08:00:00.000-04:002012-08-27T08:00:04.953-04:00The importance of supporting U-pick Farms this year (& every year!)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh picked raspberries from Makielski's!</td></tr>
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I finally got around to doing some U-pick this weekend! I've been getting great local fruit from my Farmers' Market, but it seems like each summer-fruit has passed me by before I could catch it U-pick style; strawberries, tart cherries, blueberries... since raspberries are my favorite summer fruit, I wanted to make sure I got some before the season ends!<br />
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While it's unfortunate that there aren't any organic fruit farms in this region (that I know of), I think it's important to support the local fruit crops we do have- <a href="http://rowesproducefarm.com/" target="_blank">strawberries</a>, <a href="http://www.makielskiberryfarm.com/" target="_blank">blackberries & raspberries</a>, <a href="http://www.dexterblueberry.com/" target="_blank">blueberries</a>, <a href="http://www.wasemfruitfarm.com/" target="_blank">cherries and apples</a> just to name some of the local availability. <br />
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I've made a decision that for me, locally grown produce is what I'd rather purchase, vs organic produce from California. At least I know my money is staying in the region, and many times even farms that aren't certified organic are "no spray" or at least a less-toxic pesticide plan that big conventional farms.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little sis Sam picking at Wasem Farm</td></tr>
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U-pick is one kind of farm I'm used to supporting: growing up, my family didn't really do farmers' markets or farm stands, but we picked some type of berry almost every year, and apple and pumpkin picking with family friends signified fall for us. I've continued the tradition now that I'm settled here in Ypsi: Raspberries in the summer, Apples and Pumpkins in the fall. Over the years, my husband and my sister have joined in the tradition of picking apples, and carving pumpkins. My first "date" with Sam after being newly matched as Big Sister and Little Sister in October of 2004 was pumpkin carving in my residence hall's kitchen at EMU :) As an adult, I've also added new traditions of my own, including canning, freezing, and <a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2012/06/whats-up-wednesday_20.html" target="_blank">growing some of my own</a> fruits!<br />
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It's <strong>so</strong> important to continue to patronize our local farms, especially in years like this, where in Michigan most of our tree fruit crops were destroyed by a late spring frost. Just one example of the devastation that occured is at Wasem Fruit Farm, the farm that Mike and I have gone to for the past 4 or 5 years. The owners sent out this <a href="http://www.wasemfruitfarm.com/August2012email.pdf" target="_blank">email to their customers</a> just a few weeks ago, essentially stating that their apples and other tree crops were lost this season. While they do grow other non-tree fruit as well as pumpkins, apples are a big part of their farm, and the delicious apple cider they make will be also un-available this season.
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In the email, the owners reached out to their customers, to ask how they could continue to retain our patronage in this tough year- <em>would we come out to the farm to buy doughnuts still? What other kinds of features could get us to come out to the farm?</em> I truly believe that each person's support can make a difference. Having farms like these is a big asset to our communities, and I plan to go out of my way to support Wasem and other local farms in whatever way I can.
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<br />As you're grocery shopping this season, think about the alternative ways you could get your fruit fix! U-Pick operations are a bit of work for you, but they're usually cheaper than retail fruit prices. They also give you a direct connection to your food- the only more direct thing you could do is grow it yourself! If you're looking to try out a U-Pick, there is a nice state-by-state directory <a href="http://www.pickyourown.org/migl.htm" target="_blank">here</a> and an Ann Arbor area directory <a href="http://www.visitannarbor.org/index.php/plan_a_visit/search/category/u-pick/" target="_blank">here</a>.
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Picking!</span></strong>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-36056461072736295802012-08-26T15:15:00.001-04:002012-08-26T15:15:14.254-04:00Silent Sunday<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just a few photos to share from my raspberry picking today. Beautiful day, delicious berries :)</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Sunday :)</span></strong></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-23827731513004650412012-08-24T22:47:00.000-04:002012-08-24T22:58:47.578-04:002012 Local Eating Goals<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Now that (I hate to say it) we've passed the middle point of summer, I am thinking about and preparing for Fall. This year, more than ever, I am trying to live in the moment and truly enjoy each day and revel in the season- the sweltering hot days, the strangely-cool days, and everything in between. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0lGn4YOKg9Le2qdxzOVc36c7-dun0XTdgnEQpffiVvCWEWZnT97L76U-5ZPjNdLdiUmx4BYghSL6ZbigzSsy9Jpn7kStb0gDp-X5hwSglnKu1xy5nWSGnGkyKyyerIQRslQE_Ge_mYhO/s1600/garden+8-20-12+006.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/AVvXsEh-0lGn4YOKg9Le2qdxzOVc36c7-dun0XTdgnEQpffiVvCWEWZnT97L76U-5ZPjNdLdiUmx4BYghSL6ZbigzSsy9Jpn7kStb0gDp-X5hwSglnKu1xy5nWSGnGkyKyyerIQRslQE_Ge_mYhO/s320/garden+8-20-12+006.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">However, part of appreciating these summer days is putting up some of my favorite fruits and vegetables for later on the in the year, and planting in preparation for fall. Every year I have a sort of mental list of Homestead-y things I'd like to accomplish- things to grow, things to can, things to freeze, things to dry and store through winter. I'm proud to say that this year, I have actually done some significant <a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2012/08/planting-in-late-summer-for-fall-spring.html#.UDg2DdZlQ7s" target="_blank">fall planting</a>, and I've also done a pretty fair job at "putting up" or canning/preserving/storing & locally sourcing a good deal of the things that were on said mental list! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I will say that I've give myself some exceptions- this list applies most to food that is eaten in my home. While eating out and about, I do try to have a strong focus on local food, supporting local businesses, and avoiding questionable meat (essentially, it's questionable unless I know where it's sourced from). BUT it's hard to find places to eat that meet all of my strict qualifications! So while I am an intentional eater at restaurants, I am my best locavore self at home, where I can better control what comes into my home, where it comes from, and what I spend our $$$ on.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">As I have moved towards eating more and more locally, there is a natural shift towards eating things in the season they grow in. For example, when I say that I eat only local potatoes all year long, it is because I plant potatoes in the spring, I harvest them in the summer, and store them to eat throughout summer, fall, and into winter. Then I stop eating potatoes until I can find them locally again in the spring, or grow them myself once again!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">With all that stuff in mind, here's an attempt at a typed version of my 2012 Local Eating Goals.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiii4clr2JoSoFHab9KE0okuFs9SZ8LsfpadiB0avgB4KadYc7raZrtEZwYtHlKnNWxbT2JXOs1hb15sD9I3YfObWiSGB3txrj31CsjWfP6uYJMJ9gvwJ1mSqJjrlgoEqSNL0XEpV_h_J/s1600/garden+8-15-12+010.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/AVvXsEifiii4clr2JoSoFHab9KE0okuFs9SZ8LsfpadiB0avgB4KadYc7raZrtEZwYtHlKnNWxbT2JXOs1hb15sD9I3YfObWiSGB3txrj31CsjWfP6uYJMJ9gvwJ1mSqJjrlgoEqSNL0XEpV_h_J/s320/garden+8-15-12+010.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Happy Home </b></span></span><b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 18px;">2012 Local Eating Goals</b><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>* </b><strike>crossed off</strike>= already preserved or ready to store</span></span><br />
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<b style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Veggies to store/source locally for the entire year-</b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(successfully achieved this part of the list last year!)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Onions</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Potatoes</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Sweet Potatoes</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Acorn Squash</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Carrots <br /><strike>Garlic (50 heads)</strike></span><br />
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<b style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Other food products to source locally for the entire year-</b>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Wheat</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Bread</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRh6qAtAXnP6BGtb4Uze_JiernjW7XtApRB3AmkIIimqsN-f9R55GQZkxj0BtUSRl3l4X_KQMqMdeDeeTMI91ddVnBSEk60kz1zg5u302goejfEpajafB9X6RQIQw3o8lAFrG4JzLtlA3/s1600/garden+7-30-12+030.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/AVvXsEibRh6qAtAXnP6BGtb4Uze_JiernjW7XtApRB3AmkIIimqsN-f9R55GQZkxj0BtUSRl3l4X_KQMqMdeDeeTMI91ddVnBSEk60kz1zg5u302goejfEpajafB9X6RQIQw3o8lAFrG4JzLtlA3/s320/garden+7-30-12+030.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Bagels</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Butter </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Milk </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Eggs</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Meat products</span></span><br />
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<b style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Herbs to dry & store/grow indoors for the entire year-</b><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Cilantro/<strike>Coriander</strike></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Basil</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Thyme</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Rosemary</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Oregano</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Sage</span>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Locally grown veggies & fruits to Can-</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">6 pints Pickles</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">5 pints Tomato Sauce </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><strike>10 pints and </strike></span><strike style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">12 half-pints </strike><strike style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Corn</strike><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwqFnZMTdMKWrSQ4UgDBukdQv07KJ5pohyFFxDSID0SMWfZWBgzLzMEAjxf2UKGuiPZFTQSw5YClVpNi3HfBYfAmUfhRwjNu_qlCjlTgzNJ7b4SkdHKXqcE2kkdRvWw_re2OXUfo2BjVb/s1600/canning+7-28-12+026.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/AVvXsEjtwqFnZMTdMKWrSQ4UgDBukdQv07KJ5pohyFFxDSID0SMWfZWBgzLzMEAjxf2UKGuiPZFTQSw5YClVpNi3HfBYfAmUfhRwjNu_qlCjlTgzNJ7b4SkdHKXqcE2kkdRvWw_re2OXUfo2BjVb/s320/canning+7-28-12+026.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><strike>10 pints Green beans</strike></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><strike>25 half-pints Peaches</strike></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">15 half-pints Pears <br /><strike>6 pints Apricots</strike></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">3 pints Cranberry Sauce</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">15 half-pints Applesauce</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><strike>3 pints Blueberry jam</strike></span><br />
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<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Locally grown veggies & fruits to</b><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b> Freeze-</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><strike>5 quarts Blueberries </strike></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><strike>1 quart Cherries </strike></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><strike>1 quart Raspberries <br />2 quarts Strawberries </strike></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><strike>3 quarts Corn</strike></span></span><br />
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<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Locally grown fruits to</b><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b> Dehydrate-</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">2 bags dried cranberries</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">If you'd like to set some local eating goals for yourself, I have a few tips:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Set some perimeters for yourself- be realistic about what you think you can do</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Have strategies in mind- Where will you shop/how will you grow things to meet your goals?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Think it out- If you want to can 60 pints of tomatoes, when will that actually happen and do you truly have the time & resources to do that?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Pat yourself on the back, even if you don't accomplish everything you set out to! You're still making progress, and you'll have a better idea of how you can improve in future years.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>What do you try to eat locally year round? </i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>Are there things that you think are more important to source locally than others?</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i><br /></i></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-26694186449881075732012-08-22T21:37:00.003-04:002012-08-22T21:43:46.829-04:00What's Up Wednesday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's a little late, but here's what's up this week in my garden!! Lots of the Fall plantings are doing really well- I'm excited to see how they perform in the colder weather when it gets here. In the mean time, I am still enjoying lots of tomatoes, peppers, cukes, and the occasional onion!</div>
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<b style="text-align: center;"><b>Swiss chard! It's so pretty, and I don't like to eat it. </b></b><b>I'll have to do a neighborhood trade, I suppose!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInAEwi_V6v-9Ek2oo8Fi0AKZEEU3BdFnan6DOa3YUGlfW-5oVdKUl5xgJfYsISYO0f1w_sR8nAVDzt1rs3Irp9gJ0YzdQJbz2xEVua3q4N-rXbkvnSkPL0ErUjk8hHWXudFwkMnxcG9WA/s1600/garden+8-20-12+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInAEwi_V6v-9Ek2oo8Fi0AKZEEU3BdFnan6DOa3YUGlfW-5oVdKUl5xgJfYsISYO0f1w_sR8nAVDzt1rs3Irp9gJ0YzdQJbz2xEVua3q4N-rXbkvnSkPL0ErUjk8hHWXudFwkMnxcG9WA/s320/garden+8-20-12+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b> A second round of sugar snap peas is establishing nicely</b><b style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></b></b> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6fn4A9BTjfHmCjWAdYe9vVxDUikKjJHyVlGDWNIYWhDqSof1iHu5w_6LL5wiNa1Rxu2U2XsS11T9nGsHgNzyial0AfwOct-kuK3vxKRv5pAmXmdxX6YL5bmUfudtbtJjaCGTZQxzWiJg/s1600/garden+8-20-12+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6fn4A9BTjfHmCjWAdYe9vVxDUikKjJHyVlGDWNIYWhDqSof1iHu5w_6LL5wiNa1Rxu2U2XsS11T9nGsHgNzyial0AfwOct-kuK3vxKRv5pAmXmdxX6YL5bmUfudtbtJjaCGTZQxzWiJg/s320/garden+8-20-12+008.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /></div>
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<b>I'm now able to pick late-summer lettuce! :)</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGA5D6WFA0IsVzuss_YR-XQe7KgyGcsA6I1YxTN28zvnLLdTqNM5VXETrlBjeFSIUC6uV2QB8-IzB8tAUtEcummiMDRGXemqz_N3Prhi05l8km33A-VXKqitbwh-74Jrzy1puTaPtTBE4b/s1600/garden+8-20-12+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGA5D6WFA0IsVzuss_YR-XQe7KgyGcsA6I1YxTN28zvnLLdTqNM5VXETrlBjeFSIUC6uV2QB8-IzB8tAUtEcummiMDRGXemqz_N3Prhi05l8km33A-VXKqitbwh-74Jrzy1puTaPtTBE4b/s320/garden+8-20-12+010.JPG" width="320" /></b></a></div>
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<b>Will the pumpkins and zucchini grow big enough in time?</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9MAdMpoqm4WEiJwJAvffeDbfJnb31KYh6PO0d99N8DlwyPGwO1MbSnQM3oR-Ya_WLXwm5ZQoHrc1ti80Y6z9-eaMlo08py95wbjLYLqKvlzlibJDhUF_JkdROrgeILsU3GeBBZGTFpM_/s1600/garden+8-20-12+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9MAdMpoqm4WEiJwJAvffeDbfJnb31KYh6PO0d99N8DlwyPGwO1MbSnQM3oR-Ya_WLXwm5ZQoHrc1ti80Y6z9-eaMlo08py95wbjLYLqKvlzlibJDhUF_JkdROrgeILsU3GeBBZGTFpM_/s320/garden+8-20-12+004.JPG" width="320" /></b></a></div>
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<b>Last of the chamomile is blooming. </b></div>
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<b>This summer I've harvested about <a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2012/07/drying-and-curing-veggies-herbs-from.html#.UDWI1NZlQ7s" target="_blank">2 half-pints for tea</a> this winter!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlg9CY1NrOzr3YxckFvg_hvqaXEgZyZJ6s5dq-hiOMK1wm0tq9juqujvx7VgaAjJYERjsEY5P0xkjaZw4c87iwGmM6BCqfN8XBUADBZbSBcyJGoS73j8DW5eHLVF1GtcWln7trdz5uxGQM/s1600/garden+8-20-12+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlg9CY1NrOzr3YxckFvg_hvqaXEgZyZJ6s5dq-hiOMK1wm0tq9juqujvx7VgaAjJYERjsEY5P0xkjaZw4c87iwGmM6BCqfN8XBUADBZbSBcyJGoS73j8DW5eHLVF1GtcWln7trdz5uxGQM/s320/garden+8-20-12+007.JPG" width="320" /></b></a></div>
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<b> The <a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2012/08/whats-up-wednesday_8.html#.UDWJFdZlQ7s" target="_blank">mystery squash thing</a> that I couldn't identify is a cantaloupe- What an awesome surprise!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUqAvliPE0J9AL36_qsDv0TEb1wPnagEG3mra6LKYnKo10STZ2mKVzX0ZRp18yvc4QF8K2ayax0_-Qw_caogxsAY-a12A7BQaM6KwO9wPE6SqcDcIaQHJ-NJKsHJIKe4yE_z5WC19S3gy/s1600/garden+8-20-12+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUqAvliPE0J9AL36_qsDv0TEb1wPnagEG3mra6LKYnKo10STZ2mKVzX0ZRp18yvc4QF8K2ayax0_-Qw_caogxsAY-a12A7BQaM6KwO9wPE6SqcDcIaQHJ-NJKsHJIKe4yE_z5WC19S3gy/s320/garden+8-20-12+003.JPG" width="320" /></b></a></div>
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<b>The canning pantry is quickly filling. I've spent 5 or 6 evenings in the last month </b></div>
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<b>filling it up with goodies- canned corn and canned peaches just recently-</b><b> yum! Time to set some <a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2012/02/grow-your-own-setting-self-sufficiency.html#.UDWJYdZlQ7s" target="_blank">canning and local eating goals</a> for the season, I think!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoKMNFwzk_5tFWZ2_pAn__FOtkh38OUChZt3kOX0njh5OlO07Ki1olOlUGh_ER8nU9QXNcdeyhzFFt660-oGMEgQIzo1H1bCyJ5sxFikGx09gWFzqdrbhKD3_KVVv2xd7na0CgyMy0aqd/s1600/canning+8-22-12+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoKMNFwzk_5tFWZ2_pAn__FOtkh38OUChZt3kOX0njh5OlO07Ki1olOlUGh_ER8nU9QXNcdeyhzFFt660-oGMEgQIzo1H1bCyJ5sxFikGx09gWFzqdrbhKD3_KVVv2xd7na0CgyMy0aqd/s400/canning+8-22-12+005.JPG" width="192" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">What's up in your Garden this week?</span></b> </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-68586785452685793582012-08-21T21:51:00.001-04:002012-08-21T22:16:05.943-04:00Choosing Garlic for Late-Fall Planting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you're going to plant garlic for next year, it's just about the right time to buy your planting stock! There are lots of different types of garlic- I didn't even really think about the <em>different varieties</em> that exist under the larger type categories, let alone the types themselves! In addition to there being hardneck and soft neck types, there are 9 different types (that I know of) of garlic, and a bunch of specific varitieies of each type! There is actually a good list of different types of garlic here: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_82977127">check it out!</a><br />
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I've put together a list of varieties of that I'm interested in planting for next season- overall I'd like to plant about 6 heads of garlic, or roughly 50-75 new heads of garlic.<br />
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<a href="http://www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com/overview.htm" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtFK_T_Rvxr2gFBKcdY804AY_-pXx7joWoQ3mibYMr9qyihbMGS9Wl0_3owZBg26dNx4tUnapsHt0omA2s4o8_LSTORyarnr3ZIMF2K17p3T07PczlcRL-DL-SPuZbLNEEWLLbmsA3Ryy/s400/garden+8-20-12+021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong><u>Softneck</u></strong><br />
<em><strong>Artichoke (3)</strong></em></div>
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Applegate</div>
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Lorz Italian</div>
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Inchelium Red</div>
Italian Late<br />
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<strong><em>Silverskin (1)</em></strong><br />
Silver White<br />
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<strong><u>Hardneck</u></strong><br />
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<em><strong>Porcelain (1)</strong></em></div>
Romanian Red<br />
Chesnok Red<br />
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<strong><em>Rocambole (1)</em></strong></div>
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Spanish Roja </div>
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Here in the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor area, we have several choices for purchasing locally grown garlic- I hope you are as lucky and that you have local growers to choose from as well! </div>
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There are several good options for organically grown garlic from seed companies like <a href="http://www.hoodrivergarlic.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Hood River Garlic</a>, <a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/Items.aspx?hierId=89" target="_blank">Seed Savers Exchange</a>, and Seeds of Change. I like all of these companies, and I often purchase seeds from these companies, but there are several <strong>perks to buying local garlic vs. seed company garlic</strong> for your planting stock:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEill8gmuQdKrGC6nYv7ZYCB_QpbrGxCzawYMHcgbf0J-MxARjPjGStTUBHBEnqm9UGFW9brVFLE8XiLTeoQrbQ27ohJ71Y4Fv92U2QMhjk6AGCHJHjn_vZJxWcADMd6z6-XIsaJeOjZHYZB/s1600/drying+garden+products+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEill8gmuQdKrGC6nYv7ZYCB_QpbrGxCzawYMHcgbf0J-MxARjPjGStTUBHBEnqm9UGFW9brVFLE8XiLTeoQrbQ27ohJ71Y4Fv92U2QMhjk6AGCHJHjn_vZJxWcADMd6z6-XIsaJeOjZHYZB/s400/drying+garden+products+007.JPG" width="300" /></a><em>Local garlic supports a local farmer</em>- <br />
This one is not a surprise, hopefully, but local growers are often hand-selecting the varieites you are choosing, screening for the best performance. The success of these local growers depends on your business.</div>
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<em>Local garlic is often cheaper</em>- <br />
I've seen local garlic at the Farmers' Market that costs between $2 - 2.50 per head for a large size. I averaged out how much garlic from Hood River, Seeds of Change, or Seed Savers Exchange costs, and the answer seems to be about $3.70/head. That's not even including shipping prices! </div>
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<li><em>Local garlic is well-suited to your growing region</em>- Because you are purchasing garlic that is grown close to where you live, it's unlikely that you could pick a varitiety that won't perform well in your garden (at least not because of normal climate issues)</li>
<li><em>Greater variety of garlic is available to you</em>- My go-to Garlic family grows <a href="http://www.dyerfamilyorganicfarm.com/garlic-variety-descriptions/" target="_blank">40 + varieties of garlic</a> each year. That's a LOT! Most seed companies I looked at offer 3-10 varieties. </li>
</ul>
Again, not every grower will specialize in garlic like <a href="http://www.dyerfamilyorganicfarm.com/" target="_blank">the Dyer Family</a> does, but if you can find a farm or a farmer that loves garlic as much as you do, I can't think of a single good reason not to run out to your nearest Farmers' Market, Farm Stand, or Farm visiting day and snatch up some of that garlic!<br />
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I've grown garlic at home for several years now, and each year, although I'm able to save a heads to plant, I make a point to buy some from local growers too. That way, I can try new garlic types, and do my part to make sure that garlic lovers in my city & county get to by from those local growers for as long as they'd like to sell! Planting occurs around (Hardiness zone 6a) at the end of October-beginning of Novemeber, but it's not too early to start stocking up now! Good luck selecting :)<div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-53462976539734250972012-08-15T21:03:00.000-04:002012-08-15T21:16:23.234-04:00What's Up Wednesday<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Laundry is up (literally)! I only recently discovered the joy that is line-dried laundry. </strong><br />
<strong>For me </strong><strong>it falls into that 'retro and awesome' category, </strong><strong>along with canning and apron-wearing.</strong></div>
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<strong>The tomatoes I started in the spring that weren't doing well are now finally starting to ripen- </strong></div>
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<strong>I guess I'll have a sort of staggered tomato season!</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWYgL-uG3sQKvFtDLRFZ9JQLl3LNdGqp4_VtmgRt2OELiBokk4gpCUBO6e2SOA8pnnYsgAp8UyehkM_o6qruSIPiDSMNy_qLXJesEvB5IqQLpzPJncInk_DoJbYTqpqLsszHQZSJx3KlR/s1600/garden+8-15-12+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" height="400" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWYgL-uG3sQKvFtDLRFZ9JQLl3LNdGqp4_VtmgRt2OELiBokk4gpCUBO6e2SOA8pnnYsgAp8UyehkM_o6qruSIPiDSMNy_qLXJesEvB5IqQLpzPJncInk_DoJbYTqpqLsszHQZSJx3KlR/s400/garden+8-15-12+005.JPG" width="300" /></strong></a></div>
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<strong> My one lone sunflower this year, getting ready to bloom!</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3TOcfQWviiuDnCJM-wXolHHt4k2UN10HLqJ0H8w9WxUv48EGOlt3o_vOpyhFYTcy9fkZtACYBOHxUtWxqAt6XNiFdHl4Bl6ksfvGFoZxdoH_FlznNiJMGGxrhsRTtDzOr_Re_lZFaBch/s1600/garden+8-15-12+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" height="400" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3TOcfQWviiuDnCJM-wXolHHt4k2UN10HLqJ0H8w9WxUv48EGOlt3o_vOpyhFYTcy9fkZtACYBOHxUtWxqAt6XNiFdHl4Bl6ksfvGFoZxdoH_FlznNiJMGGxrhsRTtDzOr_Re_lZFaBch/s400/garden+8-15-12+006.JPG" width="300" /></strong></a></div>
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<strong> Prize Choy! A new addition to the </strong><a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2012/08/planting-in-late-summer-for-fall-spring.html" target="_blank"><strong>garden for Fall</strong></a><strong>.</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-OUzPNWJT7ejIsYSkwkFFWXF-vvUB00NIE7Wg5ccA32Qv1K-rk0kX5T1PNc9hNm5Wq-3aBUwUvH9zp8MtvZAMas2FFv432T4NQvrfB08Zow1t5Bm-VlEdY_IZR471ksA8uGsn-xKbHD4/s1600/garden+8-15-12+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" height="400" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-OUzPNWJT7ejIsYSkwkFFWXF-vvUB00NIE7Wg5ccA32Qv1K-rk0kX5T1PNc9hNm5Wq-3aBUwUvH9zp8MtvZAMas2FFv432T4NQvrfB08Zow1t5Bm-VlEdY_IZR471ksA8uGsn-xKbHD4/s400/garden+8-15-12+007.JPG" width="300" /></strong></a></div>
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<strong> 'Parade' Bunching onions, and pumpkin plants in the background</strong></div>
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<strong> The canned goods shelf is starting to fill up! </strong></div>
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<a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2012/08/canning-apricots-in-light-syrup.html" target="_blank"><strong>Apricots</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2012/07/canning-101-blueberry-jam.html" target="_blank"><strong>Blueberry jam</strong></a><strong>, Raspberry jam, </strong><a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2011/10/she-blinded-me-with-science.html" target="_blank"><strong>Corn</strong></a><strong>, & Green beans!</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiii4clr2JoSoFHab9KE0okuFs9SZ8LsfpadiB0avgB4KadYc7raZrtEZwYtHlKnNWxbT2JXOs1hb15sD9I3YfObWiSGB3txrj31CsjWfP6uYJMJ9gvwJ1mSqJjrlgoEqSNL0XEpV_h_J/s1600/garden+8-15-12+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" height="400" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiii4clr2JoSoFHab9KE0okuFs9SZ8LsfpadiB0avgB4KadYc7raZrtEZwYtHlKnNWxbT2JXOs1hb15sD9I3YfObWiSGB3txrj31CsjWfP6uYJMJ9gvwJ1mSqJjrlgoEqSNL0XEpV_h_J/s400/garden+8-15-12+010.JPG" width="300" /></strong></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Tell me- What's Up in your Garden this Week? </span></strong></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-40065307415714376262012-08-14T21:16:00.001-04:002012-08-14T21:57:26.925-04:00The Importance of Experimentation in Gardening + DIY Lemon Balm Cleaner I'm admittedly picky at times. I'm not always a try-er of the newest things. However, I think experimenting, testing, and "giving things a try" is really important to continued success in the garden. <br />
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Our gardens are affected by so many factors- pests, weather, water and soil conditons.. as gardeners we have to be ready and willing to adapt, change our plans, and accept the results that nature gives us. <br />
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I've been reading <a href="http://www.andreawulf.com/andrea-wulf/founding-gardeners-the-revolutionary-generation-nature-and-the-shaping-of-the-american-nation.html" target="_blank">Founding Gardeners</a> (which is a <u>great</u> book, btw) and thinking about experimentation and observation. Jefferson, Washington, Adams, Madison and Franklin all had very high regard for the role of trials and experiments in the garden, and devoted whole sections of their land and gardens to that very purpose. This has gotten me thinking about all the little ways I've experimented in my garden over the few years of its life. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon balm in my garden</td></tr>
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Almost every "experiement" I've done in the garden or in the kitchen has probably been done before many different ways, but I still think there's merit in trying things for oneself. Most of my awesome projects; <a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2012/03/build-your-own-cinder-block-raised-beds.html" target="_blank">concrete block raised beds</a>, my DIY <a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2011/10/homemade-root-cellaring-101.html" target="_blank">5 gallon bucket Root Cellars</a>, <a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2012/02/make-your-own-vanilla-extract.html" target="_blank">homemade Vanilla Extract</a>- those were all "experiments" or trials that I got an idea to do, and did! <br />
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Sometimes the idea occured to me first, sometimes I was looking for a solution for a problem and found ideas that I figured I could try out. Either way, because of the room I've given myself to try these things, I now have <span style="color: black;">products and advantages I wouldn't have otherwise; an awesome </span><span style="color: black;">urban garden</span><span style="color: black;"> with </span><span style="color: black;">extra space for herbs</span><span style="color: black;">, a successful way to </span><span style="color: black;">store carrots and potatoes</span><span style="color: black;"> right up until late spring, and high-quality, low-cost vanilla extract!</span></div>
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An experiment I just stumbled upon recently is this Lemon balm drying project that I wanted to try out.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">DIY Lemon balm Cleaner</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH62fZeTF7DQ2VSGJpuHiuOyYJ5ISlkBv8Iw-60W75U4ppl6u7a6fAMikaXKGWzRszZ5eiY_VspKE-pp6N28prdV2fuusTdZdohV4mqHSeXi_HJJjRJKSRbos_0WUtP0WrP4ra67WkiXjh/s1600/drying+garden+products+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH62fZeTF7DQ2VSGJpuHiuOyYJ5ISlkBv8Iw-60W75U4ppl6u7a6fAMikaXKGWzRszZ5eiY_VspKE-pp6N28prdV2fuusTdZdohV4mqHSeXi_HJJjRJKSRbos_0WUtP0WrP4ra67WkiXjh/s320/drying+garden+products+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I planted Lemon balm this year, with no real thoughts on how I would actually use in, whether in cooking, medicial or other useage. I was googling how to dry Lemon balm at home, and I saw a few methods- oven drying, a electric dehydator, but one method stuck out in the reading-<em> laying the Lemon balm out on a towel in front of the dehumidifyer</em>- what a creative idea! We already run a dehumidifyer nearly 24/7 in the summer, so why not use the hot air that is getting sucked in to the machine to dry the herbs? Yesterday night I picked some Lemon balm from the garden and laid it out on a kitchen towel. I spread out the towel on top of the ottoman in the basement, and scooted it up in front of the dehuminidifer, as pictured. </div>
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<strong>When I came down this afternoon to check, less that 24 hours later, look what I found:<br /><br /></strong></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGffTeAtcu1jDeNLbIhdqc7Ab86HMl-QpXk1531x46WSr3_k9ndi5lfzpOPERqgeaIoH5TRc_2I0Wl9bslOydvQiXK71ZCpsU6fmYaVPAWsXO5lOBPIPO9zxYdWAxWb0c7xEfIJM8DaGrY/s1600/drying+garden+products+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGffTeAtcu1jDeNLbIhdqc7Ab86HMl-QpXk1531x46WSr3_k9ndi5lfzpOPERqgeaIoH5TRc_2I0Wl9bslOydvQiXK71ZCpsU6fmYaVPAWsXO5lOBPIPO9zxYdWAxWb0c7xEfIJM8DaGrY/s320/drying+garden+products+003.JPG" width="320" /></a><em>Perfect, right?</em> <br />
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I thought the leaves would take at least 2 days to dry out! It's taking a lot of restraint not to fling out into my garden and just start harvesting all my herbs to run the same experiment! I do think I'll try drying some Lavendar this way, as well as some bundles of Thyme, as our nice weather draws to a close in late Fall. <br />
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Because the Lemon balm dried so nicely, I was already able to start an infusion to make a Lemon balm scented cleaner this evening!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAwLVPRKTGlyiIzTIF-0tyPrKK-ZxHk24aalTQ9oxp4IF6pCcDJEBy-RVSUaB4sumMUU_4W9TX4EXvNmZUX5XN_hDM4AGsTG4cW7ScIBe_M190O8_c2NPQtlyJMrDwx_ysMOUFj_AJA4L/s1600/drying+garden+products+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAwLVPRKTGlyiIzTIF-0tyPrKK-ZxHk24aalTQ9oxp4IF6pCcDJEBy-RVSUaB4sumMUU_4W9TX4EXvNmZUX5XN_hDM4AGsTG4cW7ScIBe_M190O8_c2NPQtlyJMrDwx_ysMOUFj_AJA4L/s320/drying+garden+products+010.JPG" width="240" /></a>I crushed up the leaves a bit and add them into a bottle of white vinegar (1 cup) in a spray bottle. Supposedly, the leaves can be left in the bottle for few days to infuse, and then I can strain them out and I'll have a great, fresh Lemon balmy scented vinegar. I'll add 2 cups of water to that, and have a great homemade cleaner! As someone who regularly ulses a just vinegar + water mix, I am definitely looking forward to a more pleasant scent- maybe Lavendar or Rosemary scented cleaner will be next on the list?</div>
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I'll definitley report out on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/?q=#/HappyHomeUrbanGardens?ref=ts" target="_blank">facebook page</a> about the results- I have a feeling I might have to try a different preportion of vinegar to water in order to get that lemony-fresh scent I want. <br />
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Keep trying things, even if they don't always work out- Our Founding Fathers would applaud your efforts :) </div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-29470552314696321572012-08-11T10:49:00.000-04:002012-08-11T10:49:09.950-04:00Planting in Late Summer for Fall & Spring Harvests<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpISXzC35Z_7TyywHAL_J1ZpnlA06NjtvWNZQXcVzGX5evg-w32d8RBNtSq1SpgdA6Q3meTM4LIqkG2OtuziS6GiH-83FvnfZgup-BTnC3UkUWX8IFP3tV7KZgpznCQBemUgSdHGjQoQUF/s1600/garden+7-30-12+011.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/AVvXsEgpISXzC35Z_7TyywHAL_J1ZpnlA06NjtvWNZQXcVzGX5evg-w32d8RBNtSq1SpgdA6Q3meTM4LIqkG2OtuziS6GiH-83FvnfZgup-BTnC3UkUWX8IFP3tV7KZgpznCQBemUgSdHGjQoQUF/s320/garden+7-30-12+011.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
This is the year that I'm going to do it, guys- make the leap and do some serious <b>Fall planting</b>! I think I'm usually tuckered out by the time the end of the summer rolls around. Before I know it, the time to plant for fall has passed me by. <i>Not this year!</i><br />
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I'm been direct seeding Fall veggies in my garden for the past 3 weeks now, and I will finish up the last bit of planting tomorrow. If you're in S.E. Michigan, Northern Ohio, or a place with a similar last frost date (Oct 7th), you still have a few days to hop to it!<br />
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<b>Fall Planting list:</b><br />
<a href="http://www.botanicalinterests.com/products/view/0210/Pea-Snap-Super-Sugar-Snap-Seeds/srch:sugar%20snap%20peas" target="_blank">Super Sugar Snap</a> Pea<br />
<a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=1560(OG)" target="_blank">Prize Choy</a><br />
<a href="http://www.johnnyseeds.com/p-7992-de-cicco-og.aspx" target="_blank">De Cicco</a> Broccoli<br />
<a href="http://www.seedsofchange.com/garden_center/product_details.aspx?item_no=PS10975" target="_blank">St. Valery</a> Carrot<br /><a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=38(OG)" target="_blank">Grandpa's Admire</a> Lettuce<br /><a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=1523(OG)" target="_blank">Winter Density</a> Lettuce<br /><a href="http://www.seedsofchange.com/garden_center/product_details.aspx?item_no=PS17808" target="_blank">Parade bunching</a> Onion<br /><a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=417(OG)" target="_blank">Rhubarb Red</a> Swiss Chard<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03PcGdpfjsLtcqS3rqLLbj-CsIm5BsVyDTau2BnZAatWUfcOkw2W2I9I49d6Sh_TfDOy_aPaeiSAcLMwpcoFE01gWsT9eA-y1iwdkcU7r1jFyGmiBS0e9aqcEi_t-E2wCj424b4bELGER/s1600/garden+5-22-12+012.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/AVvXsEh03PcGdpfjsLtcqS3rqLLbj-CsIm5BsVyDTau2BnZAatWUfcOkw2W2I9I49d6Sh_TfDOy_aPaeiSAcLMwpcoFE01gWsT9eA-y1iwdkcU7r1jFyGmiBS0e9aqcEi_t-E2wCj424b4bELGER/s320/garden+5-22-12+012.JPG" width="240" /></a>I've tried to seed most everything in the new, larger bed <i>(pictured on the left)</i>- it's closest to the side door of our home so if I need to dash out during the winter I'm one or two steps closer, and it already has crazy, thriving Kale there.<br />
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I'm planning to put up some quick hoops over the first 8 feet of the bed, enough distance to cover up the Kale, fall onions, and sugar snaps. I might want to do another 8 feet of hoop down at the other end <i>(by the lovely garbage bins)</i>, because there are broccoli, a few carrots, and some speckles lettuce down there!<br />
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I'll be sure to share pictures of the quick hoops once I get them put together, as well as some guidance and assembly photos. I've been wanting to do serious season extension for a long time, and it will finally happen this year! One step closer to that ideal Badass Garden that's always floating in my mind...<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">What are you planning on planting this Fall?</span></b></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-82235257155705351572012-08-09T22:07:00.000-04:002012-08-09T22:07:19.111-04:00Warm Kale Salad with Peppers and Onions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A recent favorite recipe to whip up has been what I'm calling Warm Kale Salad. I'm not sure about the techincal details of what constitutes a salad, but this one includes greens as a base with other featured vegetables, which is good enough in my book to qualify as salad-esque. <br />
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My mother-in-law can take the real credit here; she first made a version of this for us years ago, and I remembered it this year as I began drowning in a sea of abundant kale. It's another <a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2012/04/hashbrowns-with-kale-onions-and-garlic.html" target="_blank">Kale-hiding recipe</a>, which I am fond of, as I like kale in small pieces in tandem with other veggies.<br />
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Without further ado..<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Warm Kale Salad with Pepper and Onions</strong></span><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /><br /></strong></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpYEr8YykxD0w6hL42OohA0qehH21zNPmwfFkqa0pILHObLfu14qgEb5i1TZsJXPEEeARq4DiW5LVGO_EzqXkGE1KhkmXNF-Ijj3LsDmWUoE4KSKEku_2C7nOJmHP8AN9z_RHPJ1tDQhn/s1600/Garden+stuff+8-8-12+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpYEr8YykxD0w6hL42OohA0qehH21zNPmwfFkqa0pILHObLfu14qgEb5i1TZsJXPEEeARq4DiW5LVGO_EzqXkGE1KhkmXNF-Ijj3LsDmWUoE4KSKEku_2C7nOJmHP8AN9z_RHPJ1tDQhn/s320/Garden+stuff+8-8-12+006.JPG" width="320" /></a><strong>Ingredients:</strong><br />3 large Kale leaves, de-stemmed and chopped up</div>
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1 large Red Pepper, cored and sliced into strips</div>
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1 small onion, peeled and chopped</div>
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1 cup of corn </div>
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2 tsp olive oil </div>
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1 tsp salt </div>
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1/2 tsp black pepper </div>
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1 clove garlic, minced </div>
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1/2 teaspoon lemon juice </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WDFcObnEK_Cd_QS0Bhgu5shE4Rab0IgyGkyqGRxtGP4x04z7nIWfIxC2seHb-c6xiRvYxel2czP87zPZ_0XX-dyK5LARMFWKVXXwF_8ZQIAEZxedo7_VXeMGuOQpNu029DUkG8_GkkDE/s1600/Garden+stuff+8-8-12+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WDFcObnEK_Cd_QS0Bhgu5shE4Rab0IgyGkyqGRxtGP4x04z7nIWfIxC2seHb-c6xiRvYxel2czP87zPZ_0XX-dyK5LARMFWKVXXwF_8ZQIAEZxedo7_VXeMGuOQpNu029DUkG8_GkkDE/s320/Garden+stuff+8-8-12+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>Directions: </strong></div>
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Heat the oil in a frying pan on medium heat<br /><br /></div>
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Add the onions and the peppers to the pan once the oil has heat, let the peppers sear on the fire.</div>
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When the peppers start to get nice and tender, add the corn, and the garlic to the pan. </div>
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Once the corn has cooked for 2-3 minutes, add in the kale, pepper, and salt, and stir for 1 minute.</div>
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Empty the mixture onto a plate.</div>
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<strong>Serve and Enjoy!</strong></div>
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<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-69853650806057260292012-08-08T20:17:00.000-04:002012-08-08T20:17:30.475-04:00What's Up Wednesday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>Peppers are blushing and slowly turning Red!</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9ey7QJPOkTwzqzhN6n8Niqew87YVCJdTf0-KNpHQ6Ig5yCK4hnr-WesFSVzCceM3P_o8oZDURe1brR8E8LnPIKM2zgcCFO1VM0Koe9Hy6t0WQ3lyA_QWEM7LK8iL3fqSjcVVEbFgaJ80/s1600/garden+8-5-12+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9ey7QJPOkTwzqzhN6n8Niqew87YVCJdTf0-KNpHQ6Ig5yCK4hnr-WesFSVzCceM3P_o8oZDURe1brR8E8LnPIKM2zgcCFO1VM0Koe9Hy6t0WQ3lyA_QWEM7LK8iL3fqSjcVVEbFgaJ80/s320/garden+8-5-12+004.JPG" width="240" /></strong></a></div>
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<strong>Ah Speckles, my<a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2012/04/friday-favorites_27.html" target="_blank"> old lettuce friend </a>:)</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxUhDxEJxvs-S-t97hFk9U_BbbzmwyuxxTyDksk0h71Ycu4_NQxRrXjhnhlnl_lp8efcixECsVU-Ps7GTMdNYEfC5q8gQUa1n6QZrrLDrRuZjWNUO5hvqJ6_tGehX5L0WKhtT1s_f3m3a/s1600/garden+8-5-12+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxUhDxEJxvs-S-t97hFk9U_BbbzmwyuxxTyDksk0h71Ycu4_NQxRrXjhnhlnl_lp8efcixECsVU-Ps7GTMdNYEfC5q8gQUa1n6QZrrLDrRuZjWNUO5hvqJ6_tGehX5L0WKhtT1s_f3m3a/s400/garden+8-5-12+005.JPG" width="300" /></strong></a></div>
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<strong>If anyone knows what this is, input is appreciated. </strong></div>
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<strong>This is what I get for not labeling things until July. A squash of some kind?</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZd_TYhxhjc9NfkJw8Kj1_r_sEnFPBbqz9xzX0bAsAW75Y4wYBykZr1IK17R4GR-Zy2p4IOXn0Bu2qQExSqQq1mrGMEDcI2OGoV4w0arqmEgQ-oU1Q0TbRhS5wMROUVF3D24cqzUu9_HcY/s1600/garden+8-5-12+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZd_TYhxhjc9NfkJw8Kj1_r_sEnFPBbqz9xzX0bAsAW75Y4wYBykZr1IK17R4GR-Zy2p4IOXn0Bu2qQExSqQq1mrGMEDcI2OGoV4w0arqmEgQ-oU1Q0TbRhS5wMROUVF3D24cqzUu9_HcY/s400/garden+8-5-12+008.JPG" width="400" /></strong></a></div>
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<strong>Cukes! These are on the top of my list of "Things that I don't like from restaurants </strong></div>
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<strong>or big groceries but are delicious when grown at home". </strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJ9lpXEGGNSlJZF2PejGRNDhswV7BWWxNpVIL30yLpI68KreKSmQgQtpWwnMr69Alv8jzpHmo3ivF061EEAyOBKO8VZZgos-NODM2Epf2deHPYpEVvmZOeD4wBl_KcGnQF7JcAXIB73Ar/s1600/garden+8-5-12+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJ9lpXEGGNSlJZF2PejGRNDhswV7BWWxNpVIL30yLpI68KreKSmQgQtpWwnMr69Alv8jzpHmo3ivF061EEAyOBKO8VZZgos-NODM2Epf2deHPYpEVvmZOeD4wBl_KcGnQF7JcAXIB73Ar/s400/garden+8-5-12+010.JPG" width="300" /></strong></a></div>
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<strong>Garden Peach tomatoes are so pretty, and just the right amount of acidic!</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwOHTJiYCOCCXA4eA9GEbQt6VnWTKbceDGCcMea9QjXddiECASIlq4kJfXSkSmM5hqRUVOeqwm2fEF_xnYukZuvbaIGTMrwJmaqtHE98lVZkbzXtAS4igGT37XpqLw7XR3SFfVDzs_tm0/s1600/garden+8-5-12+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwOHTJiYCOCCXA4eA9GEbQt6VnWTKbceDGCcMea9QjXddiECASIlq4kJfXSkSmM5hqRUVOeqwm2fEF_xnYukZuvbaIGTMrwJmaqtHE98lVZkbzXtAS4igGT37XpqLw7XR3SFfVDzs_tm0/s400/garden+8-5-12+016.JPG" width="400" /></strong></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What's up in your Garden this week?</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-47090674244564665462012-08-03T17:16:00.001-04:002012-08-03T17:16:53.121-04:00Mid-season Garden Observations<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
As we roll right into the heart of the growing season in S.E. Michigan, I'm already making lots of mental notes about the garden- what early season crops I loved, which ones didn't do that well, what I didn't plant enough of, what I ended up with an over-abundance with. I think its a good time to make notes about Spring and early Summer plantings so when I start seeds in the winter, it will be easier to recall these insights!</div>
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<strong>In no particular order, here are some garden observations:</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikBP_26-t8c691XmvaKJ86mBOxhody_ZAj5ASs3HvC9FYJnWoXV7z5B_n6WZiVY8B7efWc0SlPLgWd9IKRdEFY8OH-bwIBzCPUDvq2COHTylsCDW3eXY25zwUHEF4fgk3ENL1gmxRmNf7/s1600/garden+7-22-12+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikBP_26-t8c691XmvaKJ86mBOxhody_ZAj5ASs3HvC9FYJnWoXV7z5B_n6WZiVY8B7efWc0SlPLgWd9IKRdEFY8OH-bwIBzCPUDvq2COHTylsCDW3eXY25zwUHEF4fgk3ENL1gmxRmNf7/s320/garden+7-22-12+039.JPG" width="320" /></a><em>Sugar Snap peas-</em></div>
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They are amazing! </div>
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Mike said they were his favorite new garden addition this year</div>
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Need to start outdoors earlier, under half-pint mason jars. </div>
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Expand a section for them</div>
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<em>Kale-</em></div>
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Way too much, although I love it! Could scale back a bit next year.</div>
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<em>Herbs-</em></div>
Started some indoors too soon: cilantro and basil<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUXVLwCIIgMp_zzsg4AQFFl52ESuP9Cry16-A5cTm2_UwwsEOeu5qgannA4SmIt04HSM14g7qTAtEPlZSpLYZ_DmYAbXdgv1K45th104SfIqKppjaMTsu9Plo2I9J25u_Ho63d-_KI6DU/s1600/harvesting+7-26-12+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUXVLwCIIgMp_zzsg4AQFFl52ESuP9Cry16-A5cTm2_UwwsEOeu5qgannA4SmIt04HSM14g7qTAtEPlZSpLYZ_DmYAbXdgv1K45th104SfIqKppjaMTsu9Plo2I9J25u_Ho63d-_KI6DU/s320/harvesting+7-26-12+010.JPG" width="320" /></a>German Chamomile has been great</div>
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Adding other herbs for tea</div>
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<em>Carrots-</em></div>
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Loved them, cannot plant too many: ran out already! </div>
Little Finger carrots and Imperator carrots- I think the Little Fingers grew better. <br />
Planted 8 rows of 10 for each type, next year need to plant more like 15 rows of 10. <br />
Stagger planting dates better<br />
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<em>Onions-</em><br />
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Need to plant more</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4cBZPh4L_jMAYqijXS50W1vL7NCcPdQwWC0PQBI-N4EJ99bjX4n6C7aH3AsVk_d48rRuF5AeOpyrI-wfwwD74d9yu5TTb-4hij3kJuBWSp_0CapEfIgP0Xv977ya2DbLJpL7hyQ81o8C/s1600/garden+6-5-12+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4cBZPh4L_jMAYqijXS50W1vL7NCcPdQwWC0PQBI-N4EJ99bjX4n6C7aH3AsVk_d48rRuF5AeOpyrI-wfwwD74d9yu5TTb-4hij3kJuBWSp_0CapEfIgP0Xv977ya2DbLJpL7hyQ81o8C/s320/garden+6-5-12+029.JPG" width="320" /></a>Find a good source for onion sets- onions from seed did all right, but were reaaaally slow. </div>
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Bunching onions did nicely- could start those from seed for early Spring.</div>
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<em>Beans-</em></div>
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Kidney beans dried really well</div>
Saved them all for a large dried bean crop next year<br />
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Provider beans did not dry well- eat more of those fresh next year!</div>
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<strong>Possible potted additions for next year:</strong><br />
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Dwarf Fig: <a href="http://www.logees.com/Ficus-carica-Petite-Negra-Fig/productinfo/R1710-4/" target="_blank">Petite Negra</a><br />
<a href="http://www.logees.com/Dwarf-Mulberry-Dwarf-Everbearing-Morus-nigra/productinfo/R2152-4/" target="_blank">Dwarf Mulberry</a><br />
Hardy Kiwi: <a href="http://www.logees.com/Hardy-Kiwi-Set-Actinidia-arguta-Anna/productinfo/X9038-2/" target="_blank">Anna</a><br />
<a href="http://www.logees.com/Paw-Paw-PA-Golden-Asimina-triloba/productinfo/R2143-6G/" target="_blank">Paw Paw Tree</a><br />
<a href="http://www.logees.com/Lemon-Meyer-Citrus-limon/productinfo/C2004-2/" target="_blank">Meyer Lemon</a> Tree<br />
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What's going well in your garden? Any decisisons about what to keep or do away with for next year?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-87933961164006393102012-08-03T09:25:00.000-04:002012-08-03T09:26:21.406-04:00Friday Favorites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Good morning! Here are some of my favorite things this morning- things I'm loving, and things I'm thankful for!</div>
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<b>Tomatoes!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lkoml8gny5GGrk6u7uf7tkowk_dlKknH5rwVuDu5yo1mIuVGROGiYw_aSfVq-R1EfZj8kBGwEGwkTGku0SzCas3hkTlccMCzi96e-EYpcazeKVMPRTigkoaKNDKNB5EXIlEtYp6by9rE/s1600/stuff+8-2-2012+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lkoml8gny5GGrk6u7uf7tkowk_dlKknH5rwVuDu5yo1mIuVGROGiYw_aSfVq-R1EfZj8kBGwEGwkTGku0SzCas3hkTlccMCzi96e-EYpcazeKVMPRTigkoaKNDKNB5EXIlEtYp6by9rE/s320/stuff+8-2-2012+008.JPG" width="320" /></b></a></div>
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<b>Tomato basil & mozzarella salad- lunch or dinner every day this week!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTzLDfSx3x9TJgGG7oH7_OG3tXMeF9Gy0GJL23fIya5zXyfjYlT7gCRXGgJlQgEe9ubUa95Tsb3nRZXvs_n9unxxTA36q0SANe2Cv9kpTmHf69cGU3M6KqBZAbXPEl8_DVzR5eFHpvZWw/s1600/stuff+8-2-2012+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTzLDfSx3x9TJgGG7oH7_OG3tXMeF9Gy0GJL23fIya5zXyfjYlT7gCRXGgJlQgEe9ubUa95Tsb3nRZXvs_n9unxxTA36q0SANe2Cv9kpTmHf69cGU3M6KqBZAbXPEl8_DVzR5eFHpvZWw/s320/stuff+8-2-2012+001.JPG" width="320" /></b></a></div>
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<b>Canning- it is pretty awesome.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABy_3WqeFDEZ170ohKyUrZmQxkZMvVK3ecnulNtKf3INFhCfimzzqdMv_1QX6-RQ8nxE1ZZHKAKqvk53-LnbnLuAzJ40SIVJjrMq0aD7fv0O_yO-fOhxADxPSdvnduBy8I2vgOKgbs__a/s1600/canning+8-1-2012+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABy_3WqeFDEZ170ohKyUrZmQxkZMvVK3ecnulNtKf3INFhCfimzzqdMv_1QX6-RQ8nxE1ZZHKAKqvk53-LnbnLuAzJ40SIVJjrMq0aD7fv0O_yO-fOhxADxPSdvnduBy8I2vgOKgbs__a/s320/canning+8-1-2012+026.JPG" width="320" /></b></a></div>
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<b>The garden is still looking green, despite the heat. </b></div>
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<b>I think the straw mulch is helping!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbrLy7Bo_ItKMJQSq5iB8YtzGkmooQuYIeKIQBhMH5yPR69rpdc8QfdtSsdxiJTOndQ6VpE4RG2hzSdqIttwZlgRR81MN6ca7hpCtN608iY74t4XPf9GWwdPcqtnhkmtI_T_14-GXjVsG/s1600/garden+7-30-12+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbrLy7Bo_ItKMJQSq5iB8YtzGkmooQuYIeKIQBhMH5yPR69rpdc8QfdtSsdxiJTOndQ6VpE4RG2hzSdqIttwZlgRR81MN6ca7hpCtN608iY74t4XPf9GWwdPcqtnhkmtI_T_14-GXjVsG/s320/garden+7-30-12+022.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Friday! What are your Friday Favorites?</span></b></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-48958465104809821822012-08-02T00:36:00.000-04:002012-08-02T00:36:05.684-04:00Canning: Apricots in Light Syrup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcdXuRdhNxNtS3ZjIOgN9252tlOQtnLUgvXILJeihWobl5uXZWoIYk7NkX3Q4aBPV6PYjdQboXRaNguw-iMARFMroyhXD3s0JCngPDajSSz_RfEPu_Vz7FqjX8pn4OvJYlnBnVwjdKU04/s1600/canning+8-1-2012+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcdXuRdhNxNtS3ZjIOgN9252tlOQtnLUgvXILJeihWobl5uXZWoIYk7NkX3Q4aBPV6PYjdQboXRaNguw-iMARFMroyhXD3s0JCngPDajSSz_RfEPu_Vz7FqjX8pn4OvJYlnBnVwjdKU04/s400/canning+8-1-2012+011.JPG" width="300" /></a>Have you ever walked past some perfectly ripe fruit and been seized by the urge to can it up? I was seized by that very feeling today, and I went on a canning binge! I was passing by some ripe, juicy-looking apricots and the urge to preserve just hit me, haha :)<br />
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I ended up buying about 3 lbs of apricots and canning Apricots in light syrup- a first for me. I usually can peaches this way, which are amazing and probably my favorite home-canned product.<br />
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I also realized tonight that I still had some blueberries left over from my <a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2012/07/canning-101-blueberry-jam.html" target="_blank">canning class</a> this past weekend, and I decided to make Blueberry Jam! It turned into more of a Blueberry Juice for some reason- I think I might need to invest in some fresh pectin. At any rate, I canned Apricots and some type of Blueberry product. <br />
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The apricots were easy, by the way. If you're looking for a quick canning project, this is another one to try!<br />
I did a raw pack (rather than a hot pack), which made the process especially quick. If a canning frenzy claims you, here's the recipe (from the <a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61vEexcoXcL.jpg" target="_blank"><i>Ball</i> Blue Book of Canning</a>):<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Apricots in Light Syrup</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9N5Jzd3luAOT1B8qiQM0Ix1WzwNmrM2w3rcjrCTR4Lfp89jGdAyStr4AL40Fhc8PugydAEvbbHwPGyMFfHwr_m6FJXZO-SsamAiskSibPh73KfD0sbJxb-WpEXRUB31AhajFeHU7ivsbT/s1600/canning+8-1-2012+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9N5Jzd3luAOT1B8qiQM0Ix1WzwNmrM2w3rcjrCTR4Lfp89jGdAyStr4AL40Fhc8PugydAEvbbHwPGyMFfHwr_m6FJXZO-SsamAiskSibPh73KfD0sbJxb-WpEXRUB31AhajFeHU7ivsbT/s400/canning+8-1-2012+014.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<em>Supplies needed: </em>
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a water bather canner (or a really large pot)</div>
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a rack to go inside the canning pot</div>
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canning jars- Ball and Kerr are two frequently-used brands</div>
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a set of 6 Pint-sized jar lids & bands </div>
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canning tongs to grab the hot jars </div>
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Between 2 and 2 1/2 lbs apricots</div>
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2 1/4 cups sugar</div>
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5 1/4 cups water<br />
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<em>Directions:</em></div>
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(Raw Pack) Wash apricots. Cut in half and pit; do not peel. Treat to prevent darkening. Pack apricots, cavity side down, into hot jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Make a light syrup by combining the water and the sugar together in a saucepan- heat the mixture to a boil, and stir. Once the mixture is boiling, its ready to pour over the apricots in their jars- ladle the syrup into the jars (a funnel is helpful here) and again, leave 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles (I like to use a chopstick for this purpose) and place the lids and the bands on the top of the jars, and screw on. Process 25 minutes in a boiling water canner (for pints).
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-61055936017623527402012-08-01T09:17:00.001-04:002012-08-01T09:17:53.256-04:00What's Up Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>My first Cherokee Purple tomatoes are ripe!</b></div>
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaQ0VG46yg9jI1lypY82tmSe9qHRY5gMy4M-ehtLYGE7qe8XigAFWMNkhPALKJv5P7-1Xxb1vz7YUKflod1e_CVSBqMEURHtDywataDFKnMcEXrLR7vNSi9ZC87u4WU2xQn2INhtD8LzK/s1600/garden+7-30-12+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaQ0VG46yg9jI1lypY82tmSe9qHRY5gMy4M-ehtLYGE7qe8XigAFWMNkhPALKJv5P7-1Xxb1vz7YUKflod1e_CVSBqMEURHtDywataDFKnMcEXrLR7vNSi9ZC87u4WU2xQn2INhtD8LzK/s320/garden+7-30-12+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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<b> Cucumbers! Now I have two plants producing- twice the harvests :)</b></div>
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<b> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMBGIqfgaw_Jhmpx1-KUd_DFYrDP2D8N55-PHraq2QjqqH9nln9VtkriMD5r4wjwpmCWSsHBZa1KIxLtijuXGJWlbduhJdLrr0B7c2qAnSWtjD36jVCJfXW66jzIGSlOQDXngBbY7OhB9/s1600/canning+7-28-12+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMBGIqfgaw_Jhmpx1-KUd_DFYrDP2D8N55-PHraq2QjqqH9nln9VtkriMD5r4wjwpmCWSsHBZa1KIxLtijuXGJWlbduhJdLrr0B7c2qAnSWtjD36jVCJfXW66jzIGSlOQDXngBbY7OhB9/s320/canning+7-28-12+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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<b>First batch of coriander seed is dried and ready </b></div>
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<b>to be harvested and put on the <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zaowc76CNQQ/Tyyr82ujULI/AAAAAAAABDo/WoaFUjgGfxI/s1600/home+projects+2012+034.JPG" target="_blank">spice rack</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRh6qAtAXnP6BGtb4Uze_JiernjW7XtApRB3AmkIIimqsN-f9R55GQZkxj0BtUSRl3l4X_KQMqMdeDeeTMI91ddVnBSEk60kz1zg5u302goejfEpajafB9X6RQIQw3o8lAFrG4JzLtlA3/s1600/garden+7-30-12+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRh6qAtAXnP6BGtb4Uze_JiernjW7XtApRB3AmkIIimqsN-f9R55GQZkxj0BtUSRl3l4X_KQMqMdeDeeTMI91ddVnBSEk60kz1zg5u302goejfEpajafB9X6RQIQw3o8lAFrG4JzLtlA3/s320/garden+7-30-12+030.JPG" width="240" /></a></b></div>
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<b>New fall seedlings are germinating nicely- </b></div>
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<b>swiss chard, onions, broccoli, pak choi, and more</b></div>
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpISXzC35Z_7TyywHAL_J1ZpnlA06NjtvWNZQXcVzGX5evg-w32d8RBNtSq1SpgdA6Q3meTM4LIqkG2OtuziS6GiH-83FvnfZgup-BTnC3UkUWX8IFP3tV7KZgpznCQBemUgSdHGjQoQUF/s1600/garden+7-30-12+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpISXzC35Z_7TyywHAL_J1ZpnlA06NjtvWNZQXcVzGX5evg-w32d8RBNtSq1SpgdA6Q3meTM4LIqkG2OtuziS6GiH-83FvnfZgup-BTnC3UkUWX8IFP3tV7KZgpznCQBemUgSdHGjQoQUF/s320/garden+7-30-12+011.JPG" width="240" /></a></b></div>
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<b> Yum :)</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTmb4Zbjx64bPldlQBxV66iB-GHp7sQmGg3Z3oIlaxaU_HmudFzYh5cT7Y6a5LPLX8mGfxJViGfj_9TqjWF1zAS8sSOOWqIwYdEFCuYL2X4Te3D_ljV50mtf3ZoCxHP8RvJ9YDRXEg8_-/s1600/garden+7-31-12+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTmb4Zbjx64bPldlQBxV66iB-GHp7sQmGg3Z3oIlaxaU_HmudFzYh5cT7Y6a5LPLX8mGfxJViGfj_9TqjWF1zAS8sSOOWqIwYdEFCuYL2X4Te3D_ljV50mtf3ZoCxHP8RvJ9YDRXEg8_-/s320/garden+7-31-12+009.JPG" width="240" /></b></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What's Up in <u>your</u> Garden this Week? </b></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-84667333444102358062012-07-28T16:59:00.001-04:002012-07-28T17:01:40.980-04:00Canning 101: Blueberry Jam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1r8H4KWAPZSzPhI1xXQyX494Fxz1654fM5F7kvPau-6mpPMRDZSyx8vIU6OjN-Z1aQ9l3kxn8yzkpWEiIm1lF0D_KkB2y6_YZB9q_dViO78okybQF-zcxPvdBWHtvPx0JbfqrsEdmVcDR/s1600/canning+7-28-12+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1r8H4KWAPZSzPhI1xXQyX494Fxz1654fM5F7kvPau-6mpPMRDZSyx8vIU6OjN-Z1aQ9l3kxn8yzkpWEiIm1lF0D_KkB2y6_YZB9q_dViO78okybQF-zcxPvdBWHtvPx0JbfqrsEdmVcDR/s320/canning+7-28-12+025.JPG" width="240" /></a>The canning workshop today went really well! We covered a lot, and ran long, which I felt bad about. Overall though, interested folks got to learn how to can, and participate in the process, which I think is really important!</div>
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We also talked over techniques on freezing and drying fruits and vegetables, and everyone left with some handouts that I think will be helpful reference in the future. </div>
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As I suggested to the class participants, if you're going to can more than once, I suggest you purchase a canning recipe/instruction manual, like the <em>Ball</em> Blue Book of Canning. It's kind of like having a bible or religious book to reference, vs. copying some pages or passages out of said book. The passages are helpful, but if you want context and more guidance, having the actual book is really essential. Not a bad religious metaphore for a Jew(ish) agnostic, huh? </div>
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I chose to can the Berry Jam recipe from the <em>Ball</em> Blue Book of Canning. It's easy, simply, and straight-forward; a good jam for beginning canners. </div>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
If you're looking for a easy recipe to start your canning adventures with, here it is:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Berry Jam</strong></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqX_uIT_N1WbWvowuAU4jOzoPb-fTje7cwQMwmP8POWEV9zJNhom7ILyd-froIQy1xnL-W3oC9eXPX46t8ZQTAMPZNSdgxvkA_KAwAfuUJnz6BsO0o6RkDoX8cl1aK_Sly_IMfjCNjYlM/s1600/canning+7-28-12+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqX_uIT_N1WbWvowuAU4jOzoPb-fTje7cwQMwmP8POWEV9zJNhom7ILyd-froIQy1xnL-W3oC9eXPX46t8ZQTAMPZNSdgxvkA_KAwAfuUJnz6BsO0o6RkDoX8cl1aK_Sly_IMfjCNjYlM/s200/canning+7-28-12+018.JPG" width="200" /></a><em>Supplies needed: </em></div>
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a water bather canner (or a really large pot)</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
a rack to go inside the canning pot</div>
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canning jars- Ball and Kerr are two frequently-used brands</div>
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a set of jar lids & bands </div>
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canning tongs to grab the hot jars <br />
a potato masher <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uEuMIBBVFJOgrNi3bBuH0tlfTMnb9ljkJXCL0eIAJv4gs5RPzSMtx5M6ynevmr4UVLQlkk3eUoEUHGWBmCQH4n9Td63leSuf0ZAiMqGNkvgogoFdpgdmHKzOJvPL9RqJHkXAyeJhcmKf/s1600/canning+7-28-12+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uEuMIBBVFJOgrNi3bBuH0tlfTMnb9ljkJXCL0eIAJv4gs5RPzSMtx5M6ynevmr4UVLQlkk3eUoEUHGWBmCQH4n9Td63leSuf0ZAiMqGNkvgogoFdpgdmHKzOJvPL9RqJHkXAyeJhcmKf/s200/canning+7-28-12+020.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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9 cups crushed berries<br />
6 cups sugar<br />
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<em>Directions:</em></div>
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Combine berries and sugar in a large saucepot. Bring slowly to a boil, stirring until sugar disolves. Cook rapidly to gelling point. As mixture thickens, stir frequently to prevent sticking. Remove from heat. Ladle hot jam into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace. Place the lid and the band on the top of the jar, and screw on. Process 15 minutes in a boiling water canner. </div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /><br /> </span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Then Ta-da!! Jam.</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8APjYaHy6KiDLTvRZACtt6HQdtbwsri7kdeKwiOdQcmFYEk2DH6twBfd44WmJoDcyt8SyZT7hyphenhyphenUBk_54EhS3kZn3QKNqXaX6zzL8lyFzjBJMkW7TVliobqOT5FhV121GbKNx-LFxi3fFa/s1600/canning+7-28-12+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8APjYaHy6KiDLTvRZACtt6HQdtbwsri7kdeKwiOdQcmFYEk2DH6twBfd44WmJoDcyt8SyZT7hyphenhyphenUBk_54EhS3kZn3QKNqXaX6zzL8lyFzjBJMkW7TVliobqOT5FhV121GbKNx-LFxi3fFa/s400/canning+7-28-12+029.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uEuMIBBVFJOgrNi3bBuH0tlfTMnb9ljkJXCL0eIAJv4gs5RPzSMtx5M6ynevmr4UVLQlkk3eUoEUHGWBmCQH4n9Td63leSuf0ZAiMqGNkvgogoFdpgdmHKzOJvPL9RqJHkXAyeJhcmKf/s1600/canning+7-28-12+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-11110488551489907072012-07-27T17:10:00.000-04:002012-07-27T17:18:37.865-04:00Drying & Saving Seeds for Future Planting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEt0SrpnVahjCmCyS8bFKTaT6JJV9bCwm9Iw3CqvY3veUq3HAzPCI1YPxBgu_0bHF7Gn58Y1KkoWOwWr71dNn6JO_oibhNPHRcrm-boTrDFnRcZUPNSYisHTv-tb0QJ8-YQu81fGH7EwRA/s1600/garden+7-22-12+020.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/AVvXsEhEt0SrpnVahjCmCyS8bFKTaT6JJV9bCwm9Iw3CqvY3veUq3HAzPCI1YPxBgu_0bHF7Gn58Y1KkoWOwWr71dNn6JO_oibhNPHRcrm-boTrDFnRcZUPNSYisHTv-tb0QJ8-YQu81fGH7EwRA/s320/garden+7-22-12+020.JPG" width="320" /></a>Earlier in the month I posted about <a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2012/07/drying-and-curing-veggies-herbs-from.html" target="_blank">drying veggies</a> and herbs in the garden for later use. In a similar vein, it's fairly easy to dry lots of different seeds for planting next year if you know how to do it!<br />
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Over the past week, I've been starting to harvest and dry seeds from Bell peppers, Cantaloupe, and Kidney and Provider bush beans. I scoop out the seeds from the veggie of choice, rinse them off gently to clear them of all that inner-vegetable juice, and then I spread them out on a kitchen towel to dry for several days.<br />
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Make sure there is enough space between each seed so they can dry properly! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-v_9bRw-Qso3RpTMdPfDfJaWP-EpXi3mPKcoeqTlYA-vfBTpXQbSXkNcuE9fAJzEVzvEgDKyk4W36F1g8ifYlTYu9HZyx-Pq_uYpkWjF6VInsvWkWtCxWuNqOh6IiiTfj3YqjUX_YhSU/s1600/harvesting+7-26-12+013.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/AVvXsEgG-v_9bRw-Qso3RpTMdPfDfJaWP-EpXi3mPKcoeqTlYA-vfBTpXQbSXkNcuE9fAJzEVzvEgDKyk4W36F1g8ifYlTYu9HZyx-Pq_uYpkWjF6VInsvWkWtCxWuNqOh6IiiTfj3YqjUX_YhSU/s320/harvesting+7-26-12+013.JPG" width="240" /></a>When they're dry to the touch, I gather up the seeds, make sure they're separated by type, and then place them in ziploc bags or 8 oz canning jars. Then, they get labeled with a permanent marker, and I store them in the refrigerator for next year! They seem to store quite well that way- I kept pepper seeds (in a plastic bag) and dried beans (in a glass jar) in the fridge over last season and those plants did very nicely this season!<br />
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If you're growing beans now and you'd like to save some for drying, here's a tip- let them dry outdoors right on the plant! This year, I <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hR042k9zH3U/T4uLYuhHuCI/AAAAAAAABm8/5XrcT7Ls5ec/s1600/garden+April+15+2012+013.JPG" target="_blank">planted</a> about 20 kidney beans and 20 provider green beans, all for saving. I just let my bean plants grow throughout the spring and summer- at a certain point they look optimal to harvest for green bean stage, and then they start to get fatter and puffier. Instead of harvesting then, I let about 3/4ths of my crop dry, cutting back on the water I give the plants and eventually not watering them at all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQkw0FbQGdZo2iZ6UDX1Pc-7wCVyTH-gNLjKBdq6jQWxCjSD94p4a2etrv0xpe4KKojXUSv4v997jV1i4Fg1J0wTCp_q0qW96t7KX3OkmNy92xO3IiN3UEqEUMXS27tDjxsO3h021ghf9/s1600/harvesting+7-26-12+002+-+Copy.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/AVvXsEjMQkw0FbQGdZo2iZ6UDX1Pc-7wCVyTH-gNLjKBdq6jQWxCjSD94p4a2etrv0xpe4KKojXUSv4v997jV1i4Fg1J0wTCp_q0qW96t7KX3OkmNy92xO3IiN3UEqEUMXS27tDjxsO3h021ghf9/s320/harvesting+7-26-12+002+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
When the bean pods are beige-white and quite dry to the touch (if you shake them, you should hear rattling inside), they're ready to harvest! Pull the pods from the plant, and you'll have a pile of dried bean pods, like the picture to the left.<br />
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Yesterday, I spent 20 relaxing minutes cracking open each pod, and collecting the 2 -5 beans that lay within each one. I ended up with about 100 kidney beans! It's not enough to store as beans for much of anything- really it would only be enough for 1 or 2 winter batches of chilli.<br />
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What I'm going to do instead is just save all the kidney beans, as I did last year. Next year, I'll plant all 100 of them in the garden, and have a <b>really</b> big harvest, enough to save as dried beans for future use!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUXVLwCIIgMp_zzsg4AQFFl52ESuP9Cry16-A5cTm2_UwwsEOeu5qgannA4SmIt04HSM14g7qTAtEPlZSpLYZ_DmYAbXdgv1K45th104SfIqKppjaMTsu9Plo2I9J25u_Ho63d-_KI6DU/s1600/harvesting+7-26-12+010.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/AVvXsEjUUXVLwCIIgMp_zzsg4AQFFl52ESuP9Cry16-A5cTm2_UwwsEOeu5qgannA4SmIt04HSM14g7qTAtEPlZSpLYZ_DmYAbXdgv1K45th104SfIqKppjaMTsu9Plo2I9J25u_Ho63d-_KI6DU/s320/harvesting+7-26-12+010.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Have you dried and saved any seeds from your garden? </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>If so, what was the easiest to save or the most successful plant the next season?</b></span><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-18271577007294771772012-07-22T18:33:00.000-04:002012-07-22T18:33:23.837-04:00Silent Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2012/07/whats-up-wednesday-exciting-news.html" target="_blank">The tour</a> went really well!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJPcTg4E1PWV0U2nub01pYy-UJZ7oh0hTaai6XlpdEBL7uvD0uSrmvYEeghQc2w7PMeMo8z9-TAGTLYAwoMj9q7SuShLZk33zwOOcZs6oeRcHJ6PvOVDHF2VfXBwU0e-7XNbhr0nEgyLC/s1600/garden+7-22-12+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJPcTg4E1PWV0U2nub01pYy-UJZ7oh0hTaai6XlpdEBL7uvD0uSrmvYEeghQc2w7PMeMo8z9-TAGTLYAwoMj9q7SuShLZk33zwOOcZs6oeRcHJ6PvOVDHF2VfXBwU0e-7XNbhr0nEgyLC/s320/garden+7-22-12+003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Peppers are very productive now-a-days</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39NQjYaNN28WJKkcdq_gGBu5P2PhNAMbrUobjx-Bsn74-ZDCNwp70P4iwy7mjLIpkjUztH1OP-1rBO5WPMfuwvmsN6FJ6csL0dnueP5S-iM38X3TgM2_gRZD6GfdodX42DW8M9C-fH55o/s1600/garden+7-22-12+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39NQjYaNN28WJKkcdq_gGBu5P2PhNAMbrUobjx-Bsn74-ZDCNwp70P4iwy7mjLIpkjUztH1OP-1rBO5WPMfuwvmsN6FJ6csL0dnueP5S-iM38X3TgM2_gRZD6GfdodX42DW8M9C-fH55o/s320/garden+7-22-12+009.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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First yellow pear tomatoes</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobI5h-5RD6jKNQqYnBNOqW4AdduZmKxa47EuOZ1-guEpDHoyBFBg3QbgtSwzIt-2xfbOz0u0SGhzNYVc6kvu67iQWWpSuq_Vthavn6-Tia3w5pBerNvMUu7_CNHMYmRKnQfGaA1KDLGnT/s1600/garden+7-22-12+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobI5h-5RD6jKNQqYnBNOqW4AdduZmKxa47EuOZ1-guEpDHoyBFBg3QbgtSwzIt-2xfbOz0u0SGhzNYVc6kvu67iQWWpSuq_Vthavn6-Tia3w5pBerNvMUu7_CNHMYmRKnQfGaA1KDLGnT/s320/garden+7-22-12+016.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3_FhT7IZ1CmSgvF2MQWdHa9xYbl7gcS8RlVYVYVEjsE4MNW8b-emy3DCqve0miHe_BUsog2GaE0Ds3OlMFZPKo6Vozwxt0Ms1F5PpDxpPfnvAv3-Xdl9El1Hbr1gQ0zhN77kTuLYvY5O/s1600/garden+7-22-12+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3_FhT7IZ1CmSgvF2MQWdHa9xYbl7gcS8RlVYVYVEjsE4MNW8b-emy3DCqve0miHe_BUsog2GaE0Ds3OlMFZPKo6Vozwxt0Ms1F5PpDxpPfnvAv3-Xdl9El1Hbr1gQ0zhN77kTuLYvY5O/s320/garden+7-22-12+043.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Sunday :)</span></b></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-30544202969575414562012-07-20T09:15:00.002-04:002012-07-20T09:15:31.848-04:00Friday Favorites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Among many other things that I am appreciating this Friday, I'm really liking how my <a href="http://www.happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2012/07/diy-plant-labels-out-of-used-canning.html" target="_blank">canning-lid plant labels</a> turned out! I think they catch my eye as I'm walking by, which was one of the things I was <a href="http://www.happyhomeypsi.blogspot.com/2012/07/diy-plant-labels-out-of-used-canning.html" target="_blank">looking for</a> in a plant label, and they were also totally re-purposed, which is great!</div>
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Here's some photos of my favorites. <b>What do you think?</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCt0MG8kawUCko0XRji07KcXbF_jjm5NL9VU4cvJMelK8k5AEr6us3bi_4jrO91GVoC5ElQcZ75A83bTRk9_sVgfOY3sBx2_dnszl4EkOTpnziT6HHXjyB9FqJVv5F3wgsv8HeG_xW4eBw/s1600/gaden+7-20-12+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCt0MG8kawUCko0XRji07KcXbF_jjm5NL9VU4cvJMelK8k5AEr6us3bi_4jrO91GVoC5ElQcZ75A83bTRk9_sVgfOY3sBx2_dnszl4EkOTpnziT6HHXjyB9FqJVv5F3wgsv8HeG_xW4eBw/s400/gaden+7-20-12+002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAThsamBVkingY62ZQ-9yTowbv68xylc10UDLSSPNo5Y8qfMB18IBM1MJGZ1dsZfbPXhbV_9V47duoeQbv3tSg-IdKcYU53Q928KB7FbBH-FTijxlGd1pnmYV558of5JdSbQUZ0x2BOTAD/s1600/gaden+7-20-12+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAThsamBVkingY62ZQ-9yTowbv68xylc10UDLSSPNo5Y8qfMB18IBM1MJGZ1dsZfbPXhbV_9V47duoeQbv3tSg-IdKcYU53Q928KB7FbBH-FTijxlGd1pnmYV558of5JdSbQUZ0x2BOTAD/s400/gaden+7-20-12+003.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyER-BA-f5yPknyGDK_nH4Am-wpSvT2Dm28hqVZaeCrh_9qQkuIzM4mZrrsXNqceyyGJ7Uq7lA5JQFnpcD5ddz9VgFVbyqlq7iVzBQCu8x5gY29xtz7xCoh36wX4mNfuwgpPp_dKVI1FNf/s1600/gaden+7-20-12+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyER-BA-f5yPknyGDK_nH4Am-wpSvT2Dm28hqVZaeCrh_9qQkuIzM4mZrrsXNqceyyGJ7Uq7lA5JQFnpcD5ddz9VgFVbyqlq7iVzBQCu8x5gY29xtz7xCoh36wX4mNfuwgpPp_dKVI1FNf/s400/gaden+7-20-12+004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRRvQuA38f9si1S94VTErkRCt-1I0Qs57Nbv9ggaAyTkwtegizPLVnPwR1Gw2Sjw5roSv1rVWjKbUCm32Azz4E0WhTWWbyABcfZyDI8vY8pp0QQ3LzjIZX3BcT0LCMupHMQmFhuLKjX9w/s1600/gaden+7-20-12+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRRvQuA38f9si1S94VTErkRCt-1I0Qs57Nbv9ggaAyTkwtegizPLVnPwR1Gw2Sjw5roSv1rVWjKbUCm32Azz4E0WhTWWbyABcfZyDI8vY8pp0QQ3LzjIZX3BcT0LCMupHMQmFhuLKjX9w/s400/gaden+7-20-12+005.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Friday! <br />What are some of your favorite thing this Friday morning?</span></b></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-39537636772383002452012-07-19T07:45:00.000-04:002012-07-19T07:45:00.476-04:00DIY Plant Labels out of Used Canning Lids<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEGv2DySVY9Kc6LzRoS7JuMuoMaCo9LOGC7iPdoZP1XLSJGSw_06UIZdv5LSlzisqChlKDWc-YIz8VvIIsZPGMJghp4bR0Czs_FAsq__Try6Jc9BduOUcE-4xhF-cRXlByq-kM8XoShpt/s1600/plant+labels+003.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/AVvXsEgBEGv2DySVY9Kc6LzRoS7JuMuoMaCo9LOGC7iPdoZP1XLSJGSw_06UIZdv5LSlzisqChlKDWc-YIz8VvIIsZPGMJghp4bR0Czs_FAsq__Try6Jc9BduOUcE-4xhF-cRXlByq-kM8XoShpt/s320/plant+labels+003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">Since I am lucky enough to be featured on a<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/375482475844277/" target="_blank"> local urban garden tour</a> on Saturday, I have been spiffing things upon around the gardens here. Weed-pulling, plant staking- all those fun garden chores that seem to slip past me for weeks at a time! </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><br /><br />One of the projects I tackled today that I'd be meaning to get to for a while is plant labels! I looked at buying plastic or wooden labels, those awesome <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/136796907400870624/" target="_blank">pinterest spoons</a>, event popsicle sticks, but the idea of purchasing something new to label plants for 3 months just seems a bit wasteful. </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><br /><br />My mom was in town and we were brainstorming creative ways to re-use materials and also create plant labels are functional: <i>Big enough to read, Eye-catching but not an eye-sore, and Tall enough so people don't have to squat down to see them!</i> I'm pretty satisfied with what I ended up with, so I'll share the glory with you!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsGE-rDUbtHBh_3xUMIqNgz1QoUUVarYx5CvEd1lri-Ss-5d4xPbt0_1gVJ2IoFQryeAUQNy157ZdOF9qxByE5zsn9d-gYKs2uoloWK2KscB3j5DDDKGVeDIFICERVTyAFRVUhQUrQPT9/s1600/plant+labels+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsGE-rDUbtHBh_3xUMIqNgz1QoUUVarYx5CvEd1lri-Ss-5d4xPbt0_1gVJ2IoFQryeAUQNy157ZdOF9qxByE5zsn9d-gYKs2uoloWK2KscB3j5DDDKGVeDIFICERVTyAFRVUhQUrQPT9/s200/plant+labels+017.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">DIY- Canning Lid Plant Labels</span></span><b style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><div style="display: inline !important; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Supplies needed:</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfSgUodVYSMsb-P_fTyhrzQxw8R5oRnWSmKi8OiWJojIltmtPV9TuKVDeBsu3qmmEaE5ZcbM2QrPLJv-Omh-FbkoT5AeAIBDKMJOn8C9fHfvXfTj7v9f_mpVx-85AqQLqgZkSGumFvENB/s1600/plant+labels+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfSgUodVYSMsb-P_fTyhrzQxw8R5oRnWSmKi8OiWJojIltmtPV9TuKVDeBsu3qmmEaE5ZcbM2QrPLJv-Omh-FbkoT5AeAIBDKMJOn8C9fHfvXfTj7v9f_mpVx-85AqQLqgZkSGumFvENB/s200/plant+labels+021.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Used (already canned-with) Wide Mouth jar lids </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">2 pkgs. Floral Cloth Wire </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Duct Tape </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Permanent Marker<br /><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Seed Packets for reference </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">the internet, to look up latin names if necessary<br /><br /></span></div>
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<b>Directions</b><span style="background-color: white;"><b>:</b> </span>(<span style="background-color: white;">This is real easy, friends!)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwCug5zdm1FPjI5wbHO_eSMayFzTeb960YL47yZJrODPK-wQFRuqbP3kFONFbuNtVpfN6sukf8UYHWR945O68ttPw5XYuGZZSmbYwqdjFzsGNlYNKQW9sRQiW7_G3x44BToOZcb4EaAQs/s1600/plant+labels+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwCug5zdm1FPjI5wbHO_eSMayFzTeb960YL47yZJrODPK-wQFRuqbP3kFONFbuNtVpfN6sukf8UYHWR945O68ttPw5XYuGZZSmbYwqdjFzsGNlYNKQW9sRQiW7_G3x44BToOZcb4EaAQs/s200/plant+labels+023.JPG" width="150" /></a>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Sort through your seed packets and set out any that you planted in the garden this year on your table, essentially making a list.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Flip all the lids white-side up and make sure they are clean and blemish free</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">On the white-side of each lid write the plant type in large letters straight across the middle of the lid in permanent market</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Write the variety across the top of the lid, in smaller-sized writing. I chose to add quotation marks too.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Write the latin name of the plant across the bottom of the lid, again in a smaller size</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Once you are finished with the entire pile of lids, get out your floral wire</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Bend each wire in half, leaving a sort of upside-down "U" shape at the top</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Flip all your lids over, careful to set them down so the text is aligned and straight</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Tape a bent floral wire piece to the back of each lid, and press the tape down around the wire so it's secure</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8ntGDwtEM8DtPOxzfMQ1zMqOfjiU05MpQML6GYeJfeX3DyBk-UQdaiisUOhpofwkBoo89xsxhW1iKxEoNsvZdd-r589O5AYey23ZaoI2u9preW9kxOlO5Mj7L8B95Uc9a5Bhy0A1PqSx/s1600/plant+labels+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8ntGDwtEM8DtPOxzfMQ1zMqOfjiU05MpQML6GYeJfeX3DyBk-UQdaiisUOhpofwkBoo89xsxhW1iKxEoNsvZdd-r589O5AYey23ZaoI2u9preW9kxOlO5Mj7L8B95Uc9a5Bhy0A1PqSx/s320/plant+labels+024.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;">Now label up those mystery plants!</b></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-76659222371364977162012-07-18T23:02:00.001-04:002012-07-18T23:02:41.690-04:00What's up Wednesday + exciting news!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Cukes are getting big now- harvesting 1-2 each day!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiw4jbGxJSczMv69CafmtxeZtoJEjEnoUUl75PemIOph5n8SL2Z1ytcV1gGYY1mgMCH4b5KxBdLmXOl-5VdjsIy2WsknsLinJVUYSWtghfZWgO4TvWTNr5zt4TeCWgldrNuVczDTBHsgnY/s1600/garden+7-18-12+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiw4jbGxJSczMv69CafmtxeZtoJEjEnoUUl75PemIOph5n8SL2Z1ytcV1gGYY1mgMCH4b5KxBdLmXOl-5VdjsIy2WsknsLinJVUYSWtghfZWgO4TvWTNr5zt4TeCWgldrNuVczDTBHsgnY/s400/garden+7-18-12+006.JPG" width="400" /></b></a></div>
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<b>Sungold tomatoes are ripening up nicely</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5gZQy3gHm9NH8IJtsPbB80OHbqxt1oOGaUjXfqdX9N5ynd3RggMSfRwt9d8CvI53A9zbJhMilHBDfe0xbe3jbP5NHyIuXRGIiWNbp3GIHIFCOCBbeI-ysWwmEVZPIVyQgi6bE85xYL9N/s1600/garden+7-18-12+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5gZQy3gHm9NH8IJtsPbB80OHbqxt1oOGaUjXfqdX9N5ynd3RggMSfRwt9d8CvI53A9zbJhMilHBDfe0xbe3jbP5NHyIuXRGIiWNbp3GIHIFCOCBbeI-ysWwmEVZPIVyQgi6bE85xYL9N/s400/garden+7-18-12+011.JPG" width="400" /></b></a></div>
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<b>I planted several acorn squash a few weeks ago, and they've established well despite the heat</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9PyvWRA1u265QkZRpQzpIhsHG0LxIJSItdT0U2Ufo5zvnT1jX4R84Q2JHDLaeGKzpyzkYM9y32Pjdcuaf26V5iPrCdNmcNDjAniLx1SOQnJ6Z7ip5BiCmN4yVKE7JT4q8QGhCzPzDvfF/s1600/7-15-2012+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9PyvWRA1u265QkZRpQzpIhsHG0LxIJSItdT0U2Ufo5zvnT1jX4R84Q2JHDLaeGKzpyzkYM9y32Pjdcuaf26V5iPrCdNmcNDjAniLx1SOQnJ6Z7ip5BiCmN4yVKE7JT4q8QGhCzPzDvfF/s400/7-15-2012+012.JPG" width="400" /></b></a></div>
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<b>Today's pre-dinner snack harvest :)</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjor6k8r2dWko5zJIDU1yl6KyO3_ab5S1R_GXsVhyphenhyphenkGkGmHew59uCS96IYM6ePqTtUDcRKR6-TmFTOO3jdy0Nmc4ZKHMrs0YPPPseUrL1mrtX2lPfUztXrjjd6PPBMO4lPcM_AQUBhbdD/s1600/garden+7-18-12+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjor6k8r2dWko5zJIDU1yl6KyO3_ab5S1R_GXsVhyphenhyphenkGkGmHew59uCS96IYM6ePqTtUDcRKR6-TmFTOO3jdy0Nmc4ZKHMrs0YPPPseUrL1mrtX2lPfUztXrjjd6PPBMO4lPcM_AQUBhbdD/s400/garden+7-18-12+029.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Also, in exciting news:</b></div>
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My garden is being featured on Tour de Fresh this year, my work's annual tour of urban gardens and healthy food systems! One of the tour stops had to drop out 2 weeks ago, and a nice co-worker suggested that I could fill in! I'm pretty geeked out about it, and I've been working hard in the garden all week to pretend like I have a higher standard of garden maintenance than I truly do. Mike has been helping a lot too, and he might even get to be a tour guide once or twice. If you're in the Metro Detroit area and you'd like to check out some amazing Ypsi Gardens and Food stops on Saturday, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/375482475844277/" target="_blank">here's the info</a>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What's up in your Garden this week?</b></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814470116729267543.post-91536903175484342732012-07-15T14:51:00.002-04:002012-07-15T14:51:51.856-04:00Silent Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>"Live in each season as it passes: </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Breathe the air, </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>drink the drink, </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>taste the fruit, </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>and resign yourself to the influences of each." </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-<b> Henry David Thoreau</b></span><br /><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YMngDm94NxsoelOG3nCyT0sFaNG16AoJxzXHyrYbmIQPokL7Y2AMKbUMYWy4r_GNx2RjLQ-CqA2qyrbs-1Px1mDffNbJr2Jaa60XRLbiL254YZltURISquyDRp-ietrdSe0tnFQa-HD_/s1600/7-14-12+009.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YMngDm94NxsoelOG3nCyT0sFaNG16AoJxzXHyrYbmIQPokL7Y2AMKbUMYWy4r_GNx2RjLQ-CqA2qyrbs-1Px1mDffNbJr2Jaa60XRLbiL254YZltURISquyDRp-ietrdSe0tnFQa-HD_/s400/7-14-12+009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Happy Sunday :)</b></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Happy Homesteading!
-Arika</div>Arikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05929676015333330815noreply@blogger.com0