I can see what the cost will be
You know I don't need you
I just can't put you down
I can see what it all means to me
Honey I don't need you
I just can't put you down ~Alice in Chains
So maybe that song isn't about energy consumption, but I still found it fitting. WELCOME TO LOW IMPACT WEEK!
As I have stated I will not be participating in this, otherwise I would need to do completely without. But I did tell Crunchy Chicken that I would support her and the others by discussing energy usage and waste on the homestead. No, I am not going green, I am still as salty and selfish as ever. Yet consumption and waste are important factors when caring for your own little plot of the world. Personally I think you shouldn't think much larger than that little plot, at least not until you have it under control, then you can move onto your neighbors, as their feelings about their little plot will end up affecting yours.
Today's Low Impact Week topic shall be energy consumption.
Turn off everything that is non-essential, and go outside.
There you go, that is how we at the homestead reduce our energy consumption. We spend more time outside than in. No TVs on, no lights on, no computer left running. Only things running are the fridge and freezer, our water pump that cycles on and off, and the clock on my stove.
Once darkness has come, we tend to congregate in one room of the house, where we watch TV, read, or play games together. Lights get turned off as we leave a room, and the children think it great to turn the lights off while one of the kids are still in the room. Oh the screams of terror from the victim and the laughter of the bully. It can keep everyone entertained for awhile.
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Friday, June 01, 2007
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Tim brought it up, blame him.
My lettuce and radishes are ready to eat.
When I first planted a small garden here, 4 years ago, I bought a mix salad seed packet from Jung's. Everything came in wonderfully, then they bolted. I kept the seeds of the ones that I really liked, separated and organized them. My favorite by far is Simpson, it comes up early and can be replanted through-out the year. Just as soon as I pull up one head, I plant another. So far this is the only one the will come into maturity successfully in high summer. I also have 2 types of Romain and buttercrunch, all are delicious, but have to eat them young in the high summer, though I can allow them to go to full maturity in the fall. Autumn is the time when I allow them to bolt and save their seeds for next spring. Lettuce is by far one of the easiest crops to grow. If you haven't yet,you can still plant a heat tolerant type of leafy green to get you a wonderfully fresh salad for the summer. They even do well in a pot on the window sill.
What kind of lettuce are you eating?
When I first planted a small garden here, 4 years ago, I bought a mix salad seed packet from Jung's. Everything came in wonderfully, then they bolted. I kept the seeds of the ones that I really liked, separated and organized them. My favorite by far is Simpson, it comes up early and can be replanted through-out the year. Just as soon as I pull up one head, I plant another. So far this is the only one the will come into maturity successfully in high summer. I also have 2 types of Romain and buttercrunch, all are delicious, but have to eat them young in the high summer, though I can allow them to go to full maturity in the fall. Autumn is the time when I allow them to bolt and save their seeds for next spring. Lettuce is by far one of the easiest crops to grow. If you haven't yet,you can still plant a heat tolerant type of leafy green to get you a wonderfully fresh salad for the summer. They even do well in a pot on the window sill.
What kind of lettuce are you eating?
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
More garden talk
I am very sore this morning. We had a marathon planting session yesterday. With all the weather problems we have had, the late blizzard really messed things up more than the tornadoes and rain {those two we deal with every year} and my husband gone at that last rally. Only thing left to plant is my second round of corn, for late season harvest. I guess it would be silly to say it again, but oh my, am I sore.
It will be nice when I get a little down time. ~Pardon the fit of laughter~
The banny rooster and his very tiny banny consort or outside in the rabbit hutch. I didn't know what else to do with them. They have been out there a week. I guess or birds are no longer good enough to steal.
One of the problems with planting season, and having such a large hand worked garden, is that other things tend to get neglected. Fence work still calls to me. House work is tired of being ignored. and there are numerous other projects that need attention. They all wait until the garden is in. Priorities can sometimes seem a little off, but when you are determined to make it work, you adjust. Or at least pretend to. Why, no, I do not feel overwhelmed.
Last night my husband and I went to pick up a motorcycle that the owner wanted some work done on. While there, the wife and I were talking, and the subject of gardens came up. When she heard the size of ours she got excited and started asking all kinds of questions. We talked about homesteading and she said she was in awe of me. I don't think I have blushed that hard in my life. We continued to talk and dragged the men folk into it. Turns out that the husband use to live on a dairy farm, a grade B farm {made cheese only, hand milked} We tried to convince him he needed to come out to show us a thing or two when our cows got here, he laughed. But the conversation with the wife was fascinating. Some of the things she said, I have read in emails and responses here, but never had I heard them in person. It made me a little embarrassed, but also a little pride snuck into it.
So, our your gardens completely in? Or do you still have a late season or second round crop waiting for your attention?
oh, heads up Feed reader's. I will be updating my article link post, so you will get it through feed. I didn't realize it did that, I need to find another way of going about that.
And The Fool, I will get more Strawberry recipes up, keep an eye on the sidebar for the links to the food blog.
It will be nice when I get a little down time. ~Pardon the fit of laughter~
The banny rooster and his very tiny banny consort or outside in the rabbit hutch. I didn't know what else to do with them. They have been out there a week. I guess or birds are no longer good enough to steal.
One of the problems with planting season, and having such a large hand worked garden, is that other things tend to get neglected. Fence work still calls to me. House work is tired of being ignored. and there are numerous other projects that need attention. They all wait until the garden is in. Priorities can sometimes seem a little off, but when you are determined to make it work, you adjust. Or at least pretend to. Why, no, I do not feel overwhelmed.
Last night my husband and I went to pick up a motorcycle that the owner wanted some work done on. While there, the wife and I were talking, and the subject of gardens came up. When she heard the size of ours she got excited and started asking all kinds of questions. We talked about homesteading and she said she was in awe of me. I don't think I have blushed that hard in my life. We continued to talk and dragged the men folk into it. Turns out that the husband use to live on a dairy farm, a grade B farm {made cheese only, hand milked} We tried to convince him he needed to come out to show us a thing or two when our cows got here, he laughed. But the conversation with the wife was fascinating. Some of the things she said, I have read in emails and responses here, but never had I heard them in person. It made me a little embarrassed, but also a little pride snuck into it.
So, our your gardens completely in? Or do you still have a late season or second round crop waiting for your attention?
oh, heads up Feed reader's. I will be updating my article link post, so you will get it through feed. I didn't realize it did that, I need to find another way of going about that.
And The Fool, I will get more Strawberry recipes up, keep an eye on the sidebar for the links to the food blog.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
No chickens or children got to them, this time
Success!
This is my fourth year with strawberries, and I am the happy camper. We did well with them for the first two seasons, then my youngest child discovered that they tasted good, as did one of my hens. This year only a few were stolen, squashed and eaten. My first batch of the season yielded me two quarts.
And as our homestead tradition dictates, the first batch went to strawberry shortcake.
Click on picture for recipe
Depending on the yields at each picking, I will be making Jam and syrup and one more shortcake for the Fourth of July celebration.
Click on strawberry tag to see how to plant and care.
My volunteer radishes were picked this weekend, they turned out a little small, but yummy. I pulled six and left two to seed. I couldn't find my seeds, and was very happy to see them come up.
This is my fourth year with strawberries, and I am the happy camper. We did well with them for the first two seasons, then my youngest child discovered that they tasted good, as did one of my hens. This year only a few were stolen, squashed and eaten. My first batch of the season yielded me two quarts.
And as our homestead tradition dictates, the first batch went to strawberry shortcake.
Click on picture for recipe
Depending on the yields at each picking, I will be making Jam and syrup and one more shortcake for the Fourth of July celebration.
Click on strawberry tag to see how to plant and care.
My volunteer radishes were picked this weekend, they turned out a little small, but yummy. I pulled six and left two to seed. I couldn't find my seeds, and was very happy to see them come up.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day
I trust everyone is having a great Memorial Day Weekend.
I have been working, but still. . .
I remember.
I come from a military family, they are all close to my heart.
If you don't and still would like to celebrate those that have fought for you, the VA's are having Memorial Day serves, stop by and chat with one of our veterans. I will be.
I have been working, but still. . .
I remember.
I come from a military family, they are all close to my heart.
If you don't and still would like to celebrate those that have fought for you, the VA's are having Memorial Day serves, stop by and chat with one of our veterans. I will be.
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