Happy Thanksgiving and now on with Christmas

I've been researching Truffles and other types of mushrooms. I am amazed that there are so many and seemingly so easy to grow. The truffles are of great interest to us. The worse side is that it takes so long to harvest a full crop. The best side is that they sell for a lot of money.
Hazelnut, pine and oak trees all work equally well for truffles. My preference then will be the oak tree, I think. We have pine trees on our farm so am interested in seeing if they will work too.
I'm also interested in growing unusual or rare vegetables. If you know of any please do forward the names to me. Kohlarabi is something that a friend grew this year that I'd like to try. I think I spelled it correctly. Leeks, articokes and a couple other vegetables have also caught my eye for next Spring. One of the main vegetables in most gardens, the asparagus, isn't in my garden so will invest in a few and see how it does in our soil.
Checked on the red raspeberry plants that I planted about a month ago. They are doing well I think, still green leaves yet anyway even though it is only one week to December. Thankfully we've had a very mild fall so far. In my mind, it can stay like this until Spring and then get warmer. It is 4:15 pm and still 61 degrees, short sleeve weather. HURRAH for warmth!
Have a great week. Smile and make people wonder what you are up to!

Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Best Grape Salad for Thanksgiving, Christmas or just about anytime!

Grape Salad Dessert

2 – Kinds of Seedless Grapes (2 to 3 lbs total) Do not cut grapes-leave them whole.

Mix together
8 oz. Cream Cheese
8 oz. Sour Cream
8 oz. Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese
¾ cup of Sugar or Splenda

Put Grapes into large bowl
Pour ½ of mixer over grapes and stir into grapes
Smooth rest of Mixer over top of grapes

Topper for Salad
Mix together: In a Zip Lock Bag
½ cup of Brown sugar or brown sugar splenda
1 cup of chopped pecans
Sprinkle over top of grapes salad
Cover w/Saran Wrap
Let set overnight in refrigerator or until ready to serve

Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Candy Roaster Pumpkin

A favorite to grow and eat is the Candy Roaster Pumpkins. This year they were growing well and the cattle broke through that particular area and stomped the pumpkins. Not once but twice they broke in, seems like we would have learnt the first time to do something different with the fencing. The best part is that the last few seeds I planted in a different place than the rest. I wanted to see how well they would grow in different soil. Thank the good Lord! I got one but the one I got was about 35 lbs. Huge but small for a candy roaster.
We saved it and today spent a couple hours cutting and peeling that single candy roaster. I've used 3 huge pots and have it all cooking up as I write. Next step is to puree it all after it cools and then into pies, and freezer it goes. We'll have enough pumpkin to share with friends and still be able to give to the Open Door for the homeless.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving.


Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Nestle says Pumpkin will be in short supply!

Rain may put pumpkin pie in peril, Nestle says
Nestle says poor weather hurt harvest, canned pumpkin for pie may run short for holidays

I grow my own and it's waiting for me to make it up into pies. Can't wait. None of that precanned stuff for our Thanksgiving!


Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Have you tried growing this before?

Broccoli Raab (Heirloom) Spring

Best when grown in cool weather.

NEW Broccoli Raab
50 Days. Matures very quickly from seed.
Green shoots have a captivating flavor. Cut 6" pieces when the "broccolis" are the size of a quarter.
You'll love it lightly sauteed with garlic and olive oil, fresh in salads and boiled soups.
Broccoli Raab can be planted very early in the Spring or in the Fall just like cabbage and cauliflower.


Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Go Green, but don't hang your laundry outside

U.S. residents fight for the right to hang laundry. Only in America!! Imagine people thinking I'm trailer trash because I hand my laundry outside to conserve energy, go green and just plain want my laundry to smell nice. Amazing!!!

Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

I didn't know that, did you?

Foods on the negative-calorie list include apples, asparagus, beets, berries, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, garlic, grapefruit, lemon, lettuce, onion, spinach, watermelon, and zucchini.

Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Mediation

http://health.yahoo.com/featured/68/5-reasons-your-doc-might-prescribe-meditation-and-one-reason-she-won-t

Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

I FOUND IT ON ATT.NET-CHECK THIS OUT!

T-shirt takeover: 10 ways to reuse your old shirts
Published: 10/5/09, 11:20 AM EDT
By Supriya Doshi

I have countless cotton T-shirts at home. Some are in my dresser, others are in under-the-bed storage containers, and there are probably another dozen at my parents' house.

But, being the pack rat I am, I can't get rid of them for various sentimental reasons. The T-shirt we signed at the end of 5th grade; a gym uniform; marching band shirts corresponding to our show theme (don't laugh - marching band was awesome); race shirts; several variations on University of Illinois shirts ... the list goes on.

So, instead of donating the ones you like, but never wear, here are 10 ways to repurpose your T-shirts:

1. T-shirt bag (www.marthastewart.com/article/good-thing-t-shirt-bag): This one is one of my favorites. Not only are you reusing something, you're getting something useful out of the deal too. It's pretty simple, and it could make a great gift or gift bag. Plus, you get to pick your pattern!

2. Pillows (www.ehow.com/how-2071556-make-tshirt-pillow.html): I'd totally take one of these on a road trip or plane, though I'd opt for the square pillow rather than the T-shirt-shaped one. And instead of buying stuffing, you can use the leftover shirt scraps and even entire shirts.

3. Rags: This option is perfect if it's an ex's shirt or one that's too old to look good in bag or pillow form. No read directions for this one: Just tear or cut the shirt into pieces, or use it whole.

4. Pet toys (www.craftstylish.com/item/40916/how-to-make-sweater-dog-toys): If you're dog is less destructive than mine, these toys might work for you.

5. Underwear: If you're a sewing whiz, here's a site with directions and a pattern for making your own undies from a shirt: http://supernaturale.com/articles.html?id=70. Or, for less effort but more money, Solojones will do it for you: www.solojones.com/salvaged.aspx.

6. Wall art/decor: Some T-shirts are so cute they could be artwork. So make it happen! Frame your art in a shadowbox, or use it as fabric on chairs or other furniture.

7. Quilts: Another option for you crafty ones. Quilts would make great gifts, and particularly soft shirts could end up as baby blankets

8. Scarf (www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/tshirt-scarf): It's starting to cool down again in Chicago, but one of these should help you stay warm.

9. Rag rug (http://vintagechica.typepad.com/the-life-and-times-of-thi/2006/10/rag-rug-tutoria.html): Crocheting is a need-to-know for at least this tutorial on making a rug, but it might be worth learning for such an awesome, useful final product.

10. Napkins: Be super-duper eco-friendly by turning decent quality shirts into cloth napkins. Just cut into rectangles and sew!

Now that you've filled your house with T-shirt items, you might still have a few left. And you can't keep 'em all forever. So pick out a few and donate them so someone else can wear or reuse them
Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Happy Holidays Y'all, from them there mountain people!

This came from our 13 year old girl that is a special person in our life. She's like a grandchild to us. It read....Here's a few things i learned growing up in haywood county... 1.a possom is a fat animal that lays in the middle of the road. 2.if it grows it will stickya and if it crawls it will bite ya. 3. its not a shopping cart its a buggy. 4.fixinto is one word. 5.sweet tea is great for all meals and you start drinking it in your sippi cup. 6.you know what a dawg is. 7.the first day of deer season is an holiday. Hannah, the 13 year old bought this to my attention yesterday. It's something that was sent to her on her cell.
In spite of all of that,
HAPPY HOLIDAY'S Y'ALL!!!!!

Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

WHEN YOU KNOW A SENIOR

Do you know or are you becoming a senior citizen? It's evident that we will all be there some day and soon for others.
For the last 16 weeks we have been taking a course to learn what is in our county/community that is available for Senior citizens. A lot is actually available. Some that I did know about and some that I didn't know about. But, here are a few things that I have learnt that I would like to share with you.
1. When your loved one needs assistance, don't be ashamed, ask for it. Start with your doctor, friends, family and hospital. Can't get the info that you feel you need? Call your county commissioners, ambulance center or sheriff department. Yes, they know, after all, who picks up those who need help? Ambulance, and sheriff departments.
2. Visit the center several times, whether it be a nursing home, assisted living, or home care. Look for good signs and look for alarming signs. Alarming signs might include bells or buzzers ringing that aren't being checked on. That's someone who feels they need help, whether it be medical or just plain attention. Are people sitting or laying on a bed in the hallway? How long are they there? Is the area clean, smell good, how's the food, and are there real plants that produce oxygen and live pets? Notice how often people receive hydration? What do I mean by that? How often are they given a drink of water or juice?
Don't make just one visit and expect that you know everything. Does that center offer physical and occupational therapy? Nose around and see what that involves? Do they want your loved one to go home physically better than the way when they entered?
Ask what happens when Medicare stops? Will Medicare/Medicaid take care of all of the expenses?
Please be aware of as many things as you can think of because just maybe your loved one cannot!

Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Nothing Much Happening Around Here Today, Unless

Unless you count cleaning, and moving furniture from one room to another something special. Well for me it is special come to think of it. I hate cleaning. It must be my age. Seems like I can always find something else to do that's more important.
But one thing for sure, it is finally a beautiful day outside. The breeze blowing and sun shining makes it absolutely wonderful. So then, why am I inside cleaning? Dinner guests coming tomorrow night!
And, am turning 1 old bedroom that we never use into my bird room. Oh, they've been in their since Spring but in cages. Now, I'm building it all in with bird things so that they can fly free and mate. I was told that they mate and make me a Godmother if they could be free. So free it is! By this time next week, they will be free, have tree branches and lots of funky toys to hang from.
Enjoy the weekend.
Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

A MUST that I write about an article in AARP

The AARP mag just came in todays mail. As I skimmed through it I was put into shock. An article told of a 48 year old woman with ALS. She has slurred speech. She purchased an iPod for $375.00. She types in her thoughts and the iPod does the talking for her. Isn't that neat?
But, Medicare thinks that "it is designed for the general public and not for a specific medical purpose". True can be used for my music and notes, but it can also chart her meds.
A friend of hers, also ALS, got an $8,000.00 dedicated device and Medicare paid. But......the friend replaced hers also with an iPhone because the dedicated device that Medicare would pay for was too bulky.
The article in AARP ended with :This is where the government and private insurance lose all common sense." How true it would seem, correct?
I, personally, wish I had the ladies addresses. I'd send them some money toward their purchases. After all, The 48 year old lady served as a flight paramedic and I'll guarantee you, she paid for it time and time again through her courageous efforts to help others and her taxes.
Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Bees and Wine

I found this and other informative information at "Mother Earth News". I've been a big fan of Mother Earth for years. Do google it and read it often.


How to Make Mead
You can make this delicious and refreshing wine that requires no ingredients beyond yeast, water and honey.

November 3, 2009 By Amy Grisak
Image GalleryIf you have honey, why not make honey wine, also known as mead? If you keep bees, you can use honey from your own hives, or look for delicious local honey at your farmers market or grocery store.
ISTOCKPHOTO/AMIT EREZ

Article Tools
Image GalleryPrintE-mailCommentsRSS I keep bees at my home here in Montana, and each year we use some of the honey from our hives to make mead. Not many drinks can boast the long and illustrious history of mead — most likely the first fermented beverage known. When honey combines with water and yeast, a delightful reaction occurs.

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For the home-brewer, mead is one of the easiest wines to make. Traditional mead is a little on the sweet side, although it mellows with age.

Making mead requires the same equipment as winemaking. Before beginning, make sure everything is scrupulously clean to ensure proper fermentation. Yeast is sensitive, and sanitizer remnants from a previous batch could inhibit growth or taint the flavor of your finished mead.

Let the Brewing Begin!
For a basic batch that will produce about 25 bottles of mead, you’ll need 16 to 18 pounds of honey, 5 gallons of unchlorinated water, 5 grams of wine yeast and 2 1⁄2 teaspoons of yeast nutrient (optional) to aid the process. You’ll also need some winemaking supplies. Check out Midwest Homebrew and Winemaking Supplies, or a local home brewing store.

To begin, bring 2 gallons of water to a boil on the stove in a large, non-aluminum pot (stainless steel or enamel is the best to avoid affecting the taste). Reduce the heat and add the honey. Stir until it’s completely dissolved, and simmer for 30 minutes. Skim off any scum that forms on top. This helps reduce the cloudiness in the finished mead.

Pour the honey and water mix into the fermentation bucket; then add the rest of the water. This mixture of honey and water is called the “must.”

Meanwhile, if you’re using a packet of dry yeast, soak it in a half cup of warm water for at least 10 minutes before adding it to the must. Allow the must to cool to below 80 degrees Fahrenheit before adding the activated yeast and the yeast nutrient. Stir the must for at least five minutes to aerate the mixture.

Put a lid on the bucket and attach the airlock (a device that allows gases to escape without allowing air to enter the container). During fermentation, the sugar in the honey turns to alcohol and carbon dioxide. Without an airlock to release the pressure, you’ll be surprised by a small explosion and a big mess.

Place the bucket in a spot where the temperature is between 55 and 70 degrees. Leave it undisturbed during this primary fermentation. You’ll most likely notice it bubbling after two to three days. The primary fermentation will take two to four weeks. Reduced fermentation is evident by a quiet airlock; after it’s still, transfer the mead into the carboy (a large glass or plastic container that can be sealed using an airlock).

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What's Your Idea of a Dream Homestead? Are You Growing Any Food Indoors This Winter? Would You Travel Less to Save the Environment? Is Free Enterprise the Key to Future Success? Have You Ever Built a Deck? Do You Want to in the Future? Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Do Something Nice This Week!

Please do take the time to make a donation this week to a nursing home, soup kitchen or needy family. You'll be so happy that you took the time to help someone in need.
Today our senior leadership class toured nursing homes. It's sad to see people there even though for the most part, they seemed well cared for.
I decided that I'd make some bibs and donate them to a couple of the nursing homes.
Our soup kitchen will be open Thanksgiving so plan to take a couple hours our of our day and donate to serving meals to those less fortunate.
I am amazed that some of the people who attend these soup kitchens do not know how to read or write, I'd love to see grant money go to making their dream a reality. Giving someone the opportunity to read, write and count money is one gift that will keep on giving.
Please do offer your services to help this holiday season.
Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Does Baking Soda Do It For You?

The flashy toothpaste ads of television are suddenly touting and extolling the benefits of baking soda added to their toothpastes. Long before it became an additive to toothpaste, baking soda was used as a toothpaste. Beyond a great tooth cleaner (and breath freshener), it was:

· used as an antacid,
· made into a paste and applied to bee stings
· used as a scrubbing powder,
· added to bath water to sooth irritated skin,
· added to wash water to soften water and freshen clothing
· used as a deodorizing body and foot powder,
· used as a deodorizer for trashcans, diaper pails and drains… and, oh yeah, as an ingredient in baking those great old-fashioned biscuits that begged for butter and honey.

Hey! It can still be used in these ways. It is cheaper than fancy labeled cleaners and chemicals and is environmentally friendly. For a sparkling clean sink, sprinkle some baking soda on a sponge instead of an abrasive cleanser. You may already know it makes a great deodorizer for the refrigerator, but when you replace it, don’t through it in the trash, pour it down the kitchen sink drain to help deodorize. Diluted in water, use baking soda to clean and deodorize trashcans. Have a stinky closet? Open a box of baking soda and put it on the shelf.

Arm & Hammer now sells two types of baking soda, one packaged for baking and cleaning use that gives directions on adding to laundry and one package (smaller) that can be used and gives directions for use as an antacid. As for tooth brushing, put some baking soda in a small lidded container and keep it in the bathroom. Wet the toothbrush, dip it in the baking soda and brush away
Baking soda is one of the most versatile and inexpensive multipurpose products on the market today. All this magic from a little orange box that costs around two dollars!

Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Vinegar is an inexpensive way to clean!

Vinegar is a mainstay of the old folk recipes for cleaning, and with good reason. The vim of the vinegar is that it kills bacteria, mold and germs.

Heinz company spokesperson Michael Mullen references numerous studies to show that a straight 5 percent solution of vinegar—thekind you can buy in the supermarket—kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of germs (viruses). He noted that Heinz can’t claim on their packaging that vinegar is a disinfectant since the company has not registered it as a pesticide with the Environmental Protection Agency
Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Apples, Apples, Apples

Just finished picking a bu of apples. Put the drops in 2 boxes also. They will make something I'm sure of that!
Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Red Clover Days

We have been asked to go to the test farm and help gather data from the clover. We'll be going either this afternoon or Friday morning. I'm excited because I jsut read up on the benefits of making clover tea and drinking it. Please take the time to google clover, both red and white. I'm truly amazed at how many things grow that we don't really know about and just take for granted.
Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

Localvore

Do you have any ideas as to what Localvores are? Please click on the word Localvore below and read about them.
My husband and I are almost totally Localvores. I'd love to be total but for him, he'll never give up Diet Cokes and store bought bread! :) For me, that's fine. I can live with that.
I've already decided that this next Spring I'm adding fennel and a few more items that are similar fennel. Plus, I going to add a ton more of the herbs. I can't believe how into herbs we are becoming.
The winter garden inside the house is growing. We did purchase a grow light. It's helping.
Think we'll try some of the Truffle butter soon. Sounds exciting!
Have a good week.
Thanks for reading. I truly would love to know who you are and what you are thinking about gardening. Please take a few moments to contact me. I'd love to hear what you have to say! Your opinion counts with me!

localvore

 

localvore