Happy Independence Days everyone!
With the weather still acting…well…not very winter-like, I spent a little time last weekend watering our fruit trees. The terrifying thing is that they’re already trying to bud out.
Why is this terrifying? Well, because we still have a good three months of freezing and possible frosts to look forward to. Anyhow…In preparation for the warmer months, and in recognition of that which I do have a little control over, we’ll start with the planting that’s happened this week. I’m still not planting lots since we have lots of time to get the sprouts to sprout, but all this warm weather has given me a bit of spring fever. Small steps, right?
Plant something (3 seeds in each pod to allow for thinning later):
- Yellow Taxi Tomato
- Jalapenos
- Happy Sweet Peppers
- Happy Yummy Peppers
Harvest something:
- Mixed Greens = 1 ounce
- Spinach = 1 ounce
- Carrots = 1 ounce
- Eggs = 15 (yep…again!)
Preserve something:
- 7 pints asparagus
- 8 pints white northern beans
- 7 quarts pinto beans
- 4 pints ginger glazed carrots
- 3 half pints carrots
- 5 half pints pickled beets
- 2 half pints glazed beets
Waste not (in addition to the normal composting and egg shell saving):
- turnip thinnings from one of our hoop houses went to the chickens
- salad greens leftover from a work lunch…as did another groups salad leftovers…came home a made for a nice chicken snack
Want Not:
- We got 9 new chicks that will soon grow into laying hens (3 Ameracaunas, 3 Buff Orpingtons & 3 Black Australorps)!
Eat the Food:
- Tool Lady made Challah Bread from scratch. It was absolutely delicious!
- 3 pints of black beans from the pantry
- 3 quarts of pinto beans from the pantry
- 3 lbs of ground beef from the chest freezer
- 1 half pint of pickled beets
Build community food systems:
- Gave away some of the above mentioned pickled beets, introducing one co-worker to the marvelousness of it all!
- I have been asked by an acquaintance to help him and his family plan out their veggie garden in their brand new yard (they closed on their new home yesterday)!
Skill up:
- Planning a backyard re-do in order to utilize more of our space for veggie growing
- Investigating designs for a new outdoor chick brooder
- Planning the expansion of our current chicken run
Independence Days Challenge is hosted by
Sharon @ The Chatelaine’s Keys
Sharon @ The Chatelaine’s Keys
I’d love to see what you’ve been up to! If you’d like to join in simply leave a link to your Independence Days post and I’ll pop on over! If you don’t have a blog, feel free to let me know what you’ve been up to in the comments below!
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Oh, yes! I second Gina on the request for a bean canning tutorial. That is something I’ve always wanted to do but been afraid to try.
Otherwise, you have been busy. And new chicks. They are always so adorable at this stage- then they grow up… sigh..
Judy
Well, with TWO requests, how can I turn you ladies down?! I’ll work on a post for this week 🙂 No doubt, once you jump in and start canning your own beans, I promise, you’ll never go back to store bought canned beans! There is truly no comparison!
O, I’d love to see a tutorial on the bean canning. I’ve canned them before, but (following Ball Canning Book) mine always turn out mushy in the jar. Your’s look beautiful!
Thanks Gina! I’ll have to create a post! Hmmm…we’ve been following the directions in the instruction guide that came with the canner…I wonder what the difference is???
Hi there, thanks for posting your link on my blog. Having a little nosey around your site. I love the chicks so cute 🙂
Hiya Sarah! Thanks for popping over! I’ve been enjoying looking at your blog! Hope you’re enjoying a fabulous weekend!
Do you have a pressure canner? I’m scared to death to start using mine. LOL Plus we still need to get a good hot plate to use with it.
I’m enjoying seeing all the things you’ve been up to.
Our trees are budding too. I can’t help but smile when I see them.
Yes, we have a pressure canner! Got it in December and have been having a ball with it! When you figure out your hot plate and start using your, you will be addicted, I promise!!!
Wow, how were you able to find chicks this time of year? The carrots look delicious, much bigger than an ounce too.
Jody, our local Feed Bin gets their chicks in around this time every year. We definitely bring them home on the early end, but we enjoy the process and really enjoy their pullet eggs in July!