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!)

Independence Days Challenge 4 & 5: 03/10/2012

I guess I'm doing these on Saturdays! :)

I really don't have a lot to report because I have been busy, busy, busy (yeah, work again). I have so many projects started and no end in sight as to when I can complete them. One, I am refinancing the rental house (yes, again) and the bank has me running circles. I need a really small amount (less than an economy car) and it irks me that I have to jump through so many hoops. If I was buying some cheapo automobile, I would have instant financing (with less years to pay and probably much better terms). Such a crappy system.

I also have a package to get out in the mail. I haven't updated on thrift finds in awhile, but I found the most incredible thing for one my online friends in Nashville (hint, hint!)

But, onward...

Plant Something: Cumin and basil seeds, repotted the tomatoes (I think I like the dense seed method) and the tomatillas. The peppers are looking great and I have another flat of tomatoes started.

Harvest Something: Just eggs...lovely girls!

Preserve Something: Ah, the sanity...I think. I also made a pint and a half of Blood orange sauce, however, the jar with the half fell and made a bloody mess all over the floor.

Waste Not: The usual R's. I did use all the cups I saved from my hotel trips to repot my tomatoes (although, I am not sure this is actually reducing waste).

Want Not: Bought a few spices from Trader Joes and some more seed starting mix. I also visited the Asian supermarket for a couple of cans of curry paste.

Eat the Food: Just practicing this week with non-local produce lying around that needs to be used up. I made sweet potato and black bean tacos (yum), a coconut curry.

Build the Community: I made a lot of like-minded friends in KY this past week. One keeps 200 hives and said I could keep hives on his property and he would serve as a mentor!

Independence Days Challenge 3: 02/25/2012

OK, so I said I was going to follow through on this and I am. I just don't have much this week due to the usual: work and travel. So, here it is in the short and sweet.

Planted: Planted a flat of peppers and one of tomatoes. The peppers are up and the tomatoes are no show. This is odd. I will give the latter one more week before I realize the company I bought the seed from is probably not reputable. I also transplanted the tomatoes seedlings I planted as an experiment using the dense seed method. They are doing great!

Harvested: Eggs only this week (2 dozen)

Preserved: Uh! The weeks are already starting to blend together. I believe last weekend I preserved a 1/2 dozen half-pints jars of blood orange marmalade. It was suppose to be sauce (since the last try at marmalade made sauce), but I actually got perfect marmalade! I also filtered the vodka/Meyer lemon fusion and made the syrup to start the aging process for Limoncello!

Waste Not: Working hard, very hard, in getting the boys to not waste food. Sometimes it works, sometimes not (and, more often, the chickens and dogs eat really well!) Also,the usual Rs.

Want Not: Stored nothing this week. I also did not thrift shop (gasp!) or buy any books. I guess in not shopping or eating out while on the road, I get to store the per diem money.

Eat the Food: Black bean chili (pantry items), peach crisp (using the rest of the granola I made two weeks ago and my own canned peaches), eggs in many forms.

Build Community: Sadly, I was not a part of a community this past week. I was transient.

Independence Days: 02/10/2012

I am actually posting this a day early because tomorrow, I am going to be busy, busy and then right on the road to the north. KY is going to be under a winter weather advisory tomorrow through Saturday. I only hope I get up past it before it starts (I dread driving I-65 during bad weather).

I am still missing my Canon Rebel. I have no idea where I put it. This is the trouble with living 4 hours between two places. I constantly fret over what I left behind (wallet-check, keys-check, compost-check...that sort of thing).

The last week has been a busy, but productive one. I even (drumroll) received multiple compliments from my supervisor! :)

OK, here is my update:

Planted: heirloom tomatoes (I hope not too early); several varieties of hot peppers; eggplant, bell pepper and tomatillos (verde and purple). The cabbage and broccoli I planted a week ago are up and I think I see teeny asaparagas and rhubarb sprouts (probably, wishful thinking!) I also attended a seed starting course through a Permaculture group I recently joined. We learned this guy's technique for dense seed planting and were able to bring a little Ponderosa Pink tomato seedling home. The next two weeks I hope to finish up on most of the seed starting. I may start another round of tomatoes, but we'll see how the early ones go.

Harvested: Eggs

Preserved: Nothing this week

Waste Not: keeping apartment compost to take home each weekend (I found a lidded container to use for storage and I will freeze when weather gets warmer); took cardboard and shredded paper waste at work to recycling center. I saved useful planting containers including toilet paper rolls. Mostly ate vegetarian this week (I had fish twice as I had some in the freezer to use up). I read a book a co-worker loaned me called Forks over Knives and they make the case for a plant based diet. I was a vegetarian for over 13 years. I have been off sugar for 2.5 weeks and feel so much better and I've lost 10 pounds. I think, after I use up what I have left as far as meat goes, I am going on a strictly plant based, whole foods diet (however, I am keeping eggs and possible dairy, but I'm still on the fence on the latter). I have been using up all the lentils and beans I stored (for years) and the food has been fabulous. I guess I should talk about this in Eat the Food.

Want Not: My youngest son Lyndon asked me last night why when we practice tornado drills (or go to the basement in inclement weather) we don't take my sweet dove Peace with us. I guess I just never thought about it. So, together, we made up a new plan that includes putting Peace in his cage (or grabbing him, according to L.) and taking him with us. Pets are family and should be part of the plan. For a four year old, he's an amazingly observant person. That all being said, I guess I will need to store some bird food in the basement for emergencies.

• This week I stored extra cans of beans, coffee (another thing I really am thinking of weaning myself off of permanently), hulled hemp seeds, tea, and chicken feed.



• I thrifted a couple of planters for the apartment garden & some cookbooks.



• I purchased fruit trees, berry canes, and seeds. I also picked up a seeding heat mat at a (KY) local seed & garden company (more on this place in a moment).



• Worked out (so far) four times (want not health problems or obesity!)



• Add a couple of reference books to my library.

Eat the Food: As stated above, I made a big pot of lentils and ate on them for most of the week. I bought this spice from Trader Joe's awhile ago called (I think) African Smoked Peppers. It is smoked cayenne peppers and you grind it into your food. I love it and will definitely be going back to TJ to stock up on it.

Build a Sustainable Community: Oh, I had an excellent week here! I joined a Permaculture group and had my first meetup. We learned how to plant using the above referenced technique and then we had a fermentation class. My favorite part was the kefir. I am on the lookout for real kefir grains (it is rumored a local co-op sells them, but I struck out today at one of the locations). I also learned a new technique for capturing sourdough yeast and the presenter brought an awesome cranberry pecan bread spread with creme fraiche. OMG was it ever good! This is why I am torn about giving up dairy. I am looking forward to the next meeting.

I also supported local businesses. I bought my pole bean seeds from a seed company that has been in Louisville for several generations. I met the owner at a conference last month. The shop is really great (they have a great book selection).

Skill Up: Here is a great way to make a sourdough starter. Go out in your yard and find a tree. The teacher used an oak. Take 3-4 leaves and rinse them briefly. Then place the leaves in a Mason jar with a bit of filtered water and shake it like a polaroid (yea, stole that from the Black Eyed Peas!) Then add a few teaspoons of rye and whole wheat flour. Lightly cover it (or use coffee filter and rubberband). Wait a few days and then add enough of the WW flour to make a pancake batter consistency. This is now your starter!! The guy teaching this part dries his extra in a sunny window and we all got to take home our own starter! I also obtained a new kombucha starter (The one I got from a friend a couple of years ago (Hi K!) finally gave out when I transferred to Louisville. Now I can start again. Now I just need that kefir starter!

One more skill up this week: The wonderful tasting creme fraiche! Take organic heavy cream and put 2-3 Tablespoons of buttermilk into it. Cover with the coffee filter and put in warmish spot (like the top of a refrigerator). In a few days you'll end up with something similar to cream cheese