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!)
Showing posts with label Independence Days Challenge 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Independence Days Challenge 2012. Show all posts
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Independence Days Challenge 2b: 02/17/12
Time again for an IDC update. I have no idea where my time goes, but Friday sneaks up on me before I know it.
This is a hard time of year for me. It is a period between winter and late winter and summer (in the north anyway; south is another story where "spring" actually exists). Of course, with all the mild weather we've had this winter, it seems rather spring like now (but I know better to wait as winter may bare her teeth yet).
So, this is the quiet IDC time, in a sense, yet it is also a time when the little indoor chores can be completed (at least in theory!)
Planted Something: Started more seeds: tomatoes, hot and sweet peppers, eggplant, cumin and basil. The flats of seeds started on my first IDC (technically the one before the challenge actually started) are up and some have their true leaves. I need to put them under lights (I bought a light in KY and it didn't work so I have to return it). Currently, they are near the big Victorian windows of my office.
I guess I can also put in this section the kombucha starter I received at that Permaculture group. I started it last weekend and I see it is doing well.
Harvested Something: One kumquat from my (poor, suffering) houseplant and lots of eggs (I've already lost track of the number-maybe 24).
Preserved Something: Nothing this week.
Waste Not: The usual "R's": Reduced food waste, Recycled packaging and papers, Reused jars and yogurt containers for planting. Also, brought home my compost from KY for the chickens or garden (it is already part of the system at the farm).
Want Not: Found some interesting cookbooks at the thrift store this week, including Daniel Leader's Local Breads. I've always wanted this book (and hope in my extreme disorganization I don't already have it. Should I find it, I plan to have a giveaway. I already found I have two copies of Gaia's Garden). I also found two large planters on clearance at a home improvement store. They will be perfect for the apartment planting. I also picked up a Youth Catholic bible for the oldest boy who goes to Catholic school (as an aside, my kids are being raised Catholic because of paternal tradition. Funny, since I consider myself to be pagan; however, I think the structure and community is good for them, so I go along with it. I just express that religion is a personal choice for each person and we respect all beliefs in that way. I have to say I am having some second thoughts on this choice of mine due to the recent political issues and the war on women in the US, but that's a topic for another day).
Other want nots, we had our taxes done last night (yay!) and are expecting a large-ish refund (which, sadly, will go on the "get out of debt" pile). I ordered more trees from a local conservation district (hazelnut, American cranberry, red maple, black cherry, and flowering dogwood). The trees I ordered a few years ago (and noted on that year's IDC!) are doing well and have grown tremendously. I need to fertilize them soon. I may actually get a crop off the apricots (fingers crossed). I also bought more seeds: Asian greens and radicchio.
Last, I worked out 5 days this week and have continued eating healthy (vegetarian and no sugar). I have lost a total of 15 pounds and want to lose another 15 by May or June. My clothes are fitting better already!
Eat the Food: I made granola with honey from the neighbor and it was wonderful. I used leftover vegetarian fajitas (we ate out last night for the first time in months) in our eggs this morning. I am making vegetarian split pea soup (from the stores) with curry.
Build a Sustainable Community: Yes! I attended another meeting in KY. This one is a group focusing on building farms everywhere and anywhere. The topic for this month's meeting was berries and an organic berry farmer taught us the ins and outs of planting Blueberry, raspberries/blackberries, and strawberries. I learned I have been making many mistakes! So, I plan to retry blueberry plants this year and care a bit better for the raspberries I have planted. I really want to start a group such as this in Indiana. I also met a few people who are putting their urban properties into edibles. One woman lives about 6 city clocks from me in the same neighborhood (Louisville) and we exchanged phone numbers. I really enjoyed myself!
Skill Up: Learned how to take care of berry plants and how to increase crop yields (all organically!) I have also been reading from the 2011 influx of urban farming books. So far, I think the one called Urban Farming Handbook is my favorite even though it (like a lot of them) focuses on the NW corner of the US. I am also studying how to graft apple buds. I plan to order rootstock to try and save our two damaged "wild" trees and an old Granny Smith I spotted in an old abandoned farm property near the farm.
This is a hard time of year for me. It is a period between winter and late winter and summer (in the north anyway; south is another story where "spring" actually exists). Of course, with all the mild weather we've had this winter, it seems rather spring like now (but I know better to wait as winter may bare her teeth yet).
So, this is the quiet IDC time, in a sense, yet it is also a time when the little indoor chores can be completed (at least in theory!)
Planted Something: Started more seeds: tomatoes, hot and sweet peppers, eggplant, cumin and basil. The flats of seeds started on my first IDC (technically the one before the challenge actually started) are up and some have their true leaves. I need to put them under lights (I bought a light in KY and it didn't work so I have to return it). Currently, they are near the big Victorian windows of my office.
I guess I can also put in this section the kombucha starter I received at that Permaculture group. I started it last weekend and I see it is doing well.
Harvested Something: One kumquat from my (poor, suffering) houseplant and lots of eggs (I've already lost track of the number-maybe 24).
Preserved Something: Nothing this week.
Waste Not: The usual "R's": Reduced food waste, Recycled packaging and papers, Reused jars and yogurt containers for planting. Also, brought home my compost from KY for the chickens or garden (it is already part of the system at the farm).
Want Not: Found some interesting cookbooks at the thrift store this week, including Daniel Leader's Local Breads. I've always wanted this book (and hope in my extreme disorganization I don't already have it. Should I find it, I plan to have a giveaway. I already found I have two copies of Gaia's Garden). I also found two large planters on clearance at a home improvement store. They will be perfect for the apartment planting. I also picked up a Youth Catholic bible for the oldest boy who goes to Catholic school (as an aside, my kids are being raised Catholic because of paternal tradition. Funny, since I consider myself to be pagan; however, I think the structure and community is good for them, so I go along with it. I just express that religion is a personal choice for each person and we respect all beliefs in that way. I have to say I am having some second thoughts on this choice of mine due to the recent political issues and the war on women in the US, but that's a topic for another day).
Other want nots, we had our taxes done last night (yay!) and are expecting a large-ish refund (which, sadly, will go on the "get out of debt" pile). I ordered more trees from a local conservation district (hazelnut, American cranberry, red maple, black cherry, and flowering dogwood). The trees I ordered a few years ago (and noted on that year's IDC!) are doing well and have grown tremendously. I need to fertilize them soon. I may actually get a crop off the apricots (fingers crossed). I also bought more seeds: Asian greens and radicchio.
Last, I worked out 5 days this week and have continued eating healthy (vegetarian and no sugar). I have lost a total of 15 pounds and want to lose another 15 by May or June. My clothes are fitting better already!
Eat the Food: I made granola with honey from the neighbor and it was wonderful. I used leftover vegetarian fajitas (we ate out last night for the first time in months) in our eggs this morning. I am making vegetarian split pea soup (from the stores) with curry.
Build a Sustainable Community: Yes! I attended another meeting in KY. This one is a group focusing on building farms everywhere and anywhere. The topic for this month's meeting was berries and an organic berry farmer taught us the ins and outs of planting Blueberry, raspberries/blackberries, and strawberries. I learned I have been making many mistakes! So, I plan to retry blueberry plants this year and care a bit better for the raspberries I have planted. I really want to start a group such as this in Indiana. I also met a few people who are putting their urban properties into edibles. One woman lives about 6 city clocks from me in the same neighborhood (Louisville) and we exchanged phone numbers. I really enjoyed myself!
Skill Up: Learned how to take care of berry plants and how to increase crop yields (all organically!) I have also been reading from the 2011 influx of urban farming books. So far, I think the one called Urban Farming Handbook is my favorite even though it (like a lot of them) focuses on the NW corner of the US. I am also studying how to graft apple buds. I plan to order rootstock to try and save our two damaged "wild" trees and an old Granny Smith I spotted in an old abandoned farm property near the farm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)