The Big Catch Up-IDC 10

Hello.

My name is Gina and this is not a new blog...

I have really fallen short on this blogging gig. Again, swamped by work and travel and just the feeling of not having enough creativity at the moment to make this thing work. I am going to get caught back up though this week (no travel!!) as I have so many new things to talk about these days!

I think I am going to start with an Independence Days Challenge (IDC) update. I can't even remember what number I was on the last one, but it seems we are on week 10 already. I have made tiny progress in the past few weeks, but nothing significant and catching up shouldn't be so hard.

Plant Something: All of my fruit and nut trees (and plants) arrived the first week of April. This also happened to be the week I was in Alabama on business. I had Sr put them in buckets and I finally planted the last of it today. ASo, let's see...three apple trees (Granny Smith, Winesap, Braeburn); 6 hazelnuts (Jefferson and American); 10 raspberries (Heritage and some unknown variety given to me by my friend in KY); 5 blackberries; and 6 Rugosa rosa (the type that makes big rose hips). Additionally, I planted 2 Japanese maples for ornamental purposes (also given to me by KY friend). I planted basil seeds and a couple of Thai basil plants I obtained in AL and a small amount of onion sets in the flower beds. We are still working on getting the new garden tilled properly for planting (farmer neighbor used his tractor to break up the sod)-I so wish I had more time. Also noteworthy, I transplanted most of the tomatoes and tomatillos I planted a couple of months ago using the dense seed method (I cannot recommend it enough if you are short on space, but make sure you time transplanting to when it is warmer outside) and the plants are big and strong and ready to go out to the garden (just wish this temps would decide where they want to hover!)

Harvest Something: Eggs, lots and lots of eggs.

Preserve Something: Nada

Waste Not: I saved lots of hotel cups, yogurt containers, and other throw aways to use for the transplanting. Scraps were thrown to the animals or compost. Leftovers used as best as possible. Used strips of plastic bags to mark newly planted trees, Recycled what I could.

Want Not: We stocked up on canned goods, whole wheat flour and coffee. Thrifted a really nice metal food scale and some bourbon bottles (for the limoncello). I know there is more for this category, but I need to get better organized. I'll also add here I applied for two jobs up north.

Build a Community System: Sadly, due to hectic work schedule, I haven't been able to go to the Permaculture meetups or the 15,000 Farmers meetings. I do plan to attend one next week and will report later now that I am back on schedule. I took "food" out of this section because I think just building a community is important. I also want to be able to include a bit of bartering I did this week. We added a new family member last week (he will be getting a post of his own) and, immediately following I had to travel. So, I exchanged paying for the water bill at my rental (it's in my name and they generally pay me for it) if my tenants (animal lovers) would watch the little guy. They loved having him (and having a month off of a water bill) and he didn't have to be boarded.

Eat the Food: I am still eating vegetarian for the most part (exception, sushi while in Alabama which I love, but sushi is one of the most unsustainable food items out there. Well, at least the tuna ones. The stuff I had was made with salmon and the other vegetarian). We have been eating a lot of eggs!

Skill Up: I cannot think of anything to add here (so sad!) I haven't even been reading much (although, I did read through the Hunger Games series and I loved them!)