Thursday, August 28, 2008 - Sad news about my Dad

My Dad has been in and out of the hospital a lot and went in again in the beginning of August.  Then he went to a nursing home for 2 days and I got a call at work that they were taking him to the emergency room.  I won`t get in all the details now, but we lost him on Friday, August 22.  My stepmom, my hubby, my daughter and I were there with him.  It was the hardest thing I have ever gone through EVER!  Tuesday was the viewing and service, tomorrow is the cemetery...with full military honors.  It has been a rough few weeks, but Dad suffered so much.

   I know I haven`t updated much, but we have been spending a lot of time in the hospital with him.  I just wanted everyone to know.

                                That Girl

Aug. 27, 2008 - Good Site for Identifying Wild Herbs

I happend upon this really neat photo index for herbs this morning, while attempting to identify a lovely little plant that popped up after our much needed rains. 

NaturesHerbal has some links to other "herby" things, too.  I found a Poison Ivy  Relief kit that my dear friend Debbie needs right this minute! 

Speaking of Poison Ivy relief....I am searching, without much success, for Jewelweed seeds.  I found a source for plants, but would prefer seeds if possible.  If any of you are fortunate enough to have Jewelweed growing wild on your homestead, I would be so very thankful if you would share some seed with me.  I will gladly pay for the seeds and the postage if you would be kind enough to send them my way! 

Blessings,

Catherine

Aug. 25, 2008 - Zucchini Bonanza

Zucchini is one of those garden veggies that almost always gives us a bumper crop.  I used to try to keep my zucchini plants down to one or two, because I just couldn't think of enough things to do with it and they would go to waste.  But, this year I planted a LOT because I have learned some wonderful ways to use this versatile veggie.  Here are some things that I am doing this year with zucchini:

Zucchini milk - Take as many zucchini as you have handy.  Peel and dice them.  Put about two cups worth at a time into your blender along with a little water.  Blend until smooth and "liquidy" like milk.  You can use this as a substitute in any recipe that calls for milk.  I just used this in my waffle recipe and my very picky 9 year old son never knew the difference! This freezes well.

Dried Zucchini - Slice zucchini thin and dehydrate until crispy.  I like to put the dried chips into my blender or food processor and blend into a powder.   I then add the dried zucchini powder to my homemade breads - this is great for getting veggies into picky eaters!  One large "torpedo sized" zucchini dehydrates down to about 1/4 cup powder.

Mock Pineapple - Use this in any recipe calling for crushed pineapple.  No one will ever know the difference!  We love it on pizza!

8 quarts zucchini, peeled, seeded and ground

1 1/2 cups bottled lemon juice

46 oz. can unsweetened pineapple juice

3 cups sugar or 1 1/2 cups clover honey

Combine all ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.  Fill hot pint jars with hot mixture, dividing liquids and solids evenly.  Process in a boiling water bath - 20 minutes for pints, 25 minutes for quarts.  Use exactly as you would crushed pineapple in any recipe.  Makes 3-4 quarts or 6-8 pints.

I hope you will never have "too much" zucchini again.  There is truly so much you can do with this reliable garden veggie.

Blessings!

Lisa

Lisa Vitello publishes the New Harvest Homestead newsletter for Christian women who love the homestead life.  Visit her website at www.newharvesthomestead.com to learn more and request your free introductory issue.

Aug. 25, 2008 - Winter Veggies

I'm getting ready for the Fall & Winter growing season.  How about you? 

I always enjoy the Bountiful Gardens newsletter, and this month they advertised the Winter Vegetables Collection .  Ten seed packets for $19.50 is a pretty good deal; especially since they sell heirloom, untreated, sustainable..."Good" seeds!

I know that we have gardeners from all over, with very different climates and growing conditions; so I'd love to hear what you grow in the Fall and Winter in your area.

In Fall, I grow pretty much the same things as in the Spring garden.   Many things actually do better in the cooler days of Fall since we can often go from Winter to almost summer-like conditions quickly. 

The Winter garden allows us in the "heat zone" to grow those lovely greens like spinach, lettuce, mustard, etc. that can't take our hot weather during the spring and summer.  Onions, beets, turnips, kale, broccoli and cauliflower also enjoy the winter weather here in the heart of Texas.  3 herbs that do well in my winter garden are: Parsley, Cilantro, and one of my favorites, Calendula.  Oh, and my favorite flower of all, which  has edible flowers, too- Violas! 

Oh, I am ready, ready, ready for the cooler days ahead!

Blessings,

Catherine

Aug. 25, 2008 - Food for Thought

A trip to the grocery store these days can be stressful, at least for our single income family.  Though it is sometimes tempting to buy those Ramen noodles for pennies a bag,  or other seemingly inexpensive processed "food"; I know that is not a good source of nutrition, and would very likely prove more costly in the long run.  We try to eat "whole" foods, and organic ones when possible, all while keeping to a pretty lean budget.  Beans and grains are becoming more of a staple diet than in days past.  If I hadn't been raised in such a meat-n-potatoes family, vegetarian cooking would be a possibility, too.  We do eat meatless frequently, and other than some chicken or tuna now and then, I would be fine meatless.  My husband and children might not enjoy the "veggie" lifestyle so much, though.  The food group that I have the hardest time reducing is dairy.  I love cheese, and use it in so many recipes; not to mention just cheese, crackers and a few veggies or piece of fruit being a quick, but healthy lunch.  But, at $4.78 or so a pound, it is no longer an inexpensive food for us.  I wouldn't dare pay that for meat, though I do for cheese every week .   I'm wondering, is it any less expensive to make your own cheese?  I've never made hard cheese, which is mostly what I buy.  I do frequently make yogurt, and then strain for "yogurt cheese", etc.  Cheesemakers, input please! 

I've been rereading a book that's been on my shelf for some time- Diet for a Small Planet.   The recipe section has lots of good meatless meals that incorporate beans and grains. 

I found this article, Ten Healthiest Foods Under $1 interesting, too. 

OK, writing about food has made me hungry , I'm off to find some breakfast....well, by now maybe I should just have Brunch!

Please share your food buying, shopping, healthy-eating tips with us! 

Blessings,

Catherine

Aug. 22, 2008 - Summertime Thought..

for those of you dealing with the heat of summer.....I can definitely relate:

"What dreadful hot weather we have! 
It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.
-   Jane Austen  

Summertime Blessings & Prayers for a cool breeze to blow your way,

Catherine

Aug. 21, 2008 - Have you heard of Luffa?

Aug. 20, 2008 - Questions on Preserving the Harvest

Would some of you please share your tips, thoughts, tricks, or tried & true recipes for ways to preserve the harvest with me?  In particular, things like dehydrating, fermenting, pickling, salting, etc.   I have good information on canning and freezing; but would like to explore other methods. 

I have this book from the Bountiful Gardens website on my never-ending wishlist.   But as it is Back-to-Homeschool time for my family, the book funds are all allocated to other types of learning for now.  

Thanks so much for your help!

Blessings,

Catherine

Aug. 11, 2008 - Post Partum Depression

Aug. 7, 2008 - Marvelous Mulch

I know I've posted articles about this topic before, but I am convinced that a good, deep layer of mulch is a must in the garden. 

The summer heat is almost unbearable here in the "heart of Texas", and my garden has been the most pitiful thing this year.   I finally decided to just give up and wait for time to plant the Fall crops.  But, the jalapeno and serrano pepper plants were still living, though I was having to water them every day, and they still looked sad and wilty.  I wanted to keep them alive until we move in hopes to transplant them into containers and take them with us. 

In a burst of gardening energy one morning before the scorching heat set in, I raked up a whole bunch of dead leaves and other "mulchy looking stuff" from under the trees and brush at the back of our property line.  I put a thick layer- at least 6 inches, on top of the layer of cypress mulch already in place, around the pepper plants.  When I first put it down, it was about halfway covering the plants themselves, but after watering it wasn't quite so tall.  I watered thoroughly, making sure to soak not only the mulch, but the soil underneath. 

I kid you not, those pepper plants look so much better, and haven't wilted since!  I've even gone a few days without watering, and they are not only thriving, but setting fruit again. 

I've always mulched, but since I've bought bagged mulch in the past, I didn't mulch quite so deeply.  From now on, I'm going to be more thrifty and rake up whatever looks "mulchy" in my yard, and perhaps offer to rake a few neighbors leaves come Fall, too!  

Mulch your gardens thickly!  Your plants will thank you. 

Blessings,

Catherine