TisaWee Farm

My leaf disposal solution

I don't understand what all the commotion is about.  People are deviously trying to dispose of their leaves by blowing them into the street, secretly burning them, or hoping they will blow into a neighbor's yard.  And today a woman was killed because she had "blown" them into a ditch across from her yard, started them on fire creating a smoke cloud that obscured her and she was hit by a car. 

I did the same thing with my leaves that I've done with them for the last 10 years....

As you can see in this picture, my yard was TOTALLY covered in leaves.  If you mow over them, they mulch into tiny little pieces.  Yeah, it doesn't look as spotlessly clean as a freshly raked yard, but my little mulch pieces will decompose very quickly, and fertilize the yard as they do.  Two weeks from now, you'll never know the difference between my yard and a raked-bagged-toted-and-dumped-leaf yard. 

As I was mowing the yard, I was thinking how the leaves are an analogy for getting older.  When you get old and wrinkled and brittle, you are better off to stay in close contact with a bunch of others.  When you are scattered to the wind and all alone, you decompose quickly.  Ok, ok, I never said it was a GOOD analogy!!! <grin>

 

 

 

 

Dehydrating Foods

I've really "gotten into" this dehydrating thing.  Food keeps longer than in the freezer, it's faster and cheaper than canning (plus you don't lose all your vitamins and such) and it really saves space.. So far I've dehydrated onions, zucchini slices (with assorted spices), peppers, sliced potatoes, cinnamon apples, bananas, yogurt, and TOMATO JUICE!  

Now, THAT was a trick.  And a mess.  And I need to find a better way. 

Here's a visual.  Put parchment paper on a flat tray without sides.  Pour a puddle of tomato juice in the center.  Balance the tray, without slopping the tomato juice, and slide it into the dehydrator.  Repeat.

I did probably a peck of tomatoes by just dipping them in boiling water to remove the skins, whooshing them in the blender to make juice (seeds and all....gotta love that VitaMix!), and then drying the juice.  That peck of tomatoes made about a half-quart of tomato paste powder.  It dried into crispy sheets of tomato leather, and I just crumbled them into a jar. Of course, I had to sample a piece or two.  <grin>

By the way, the dehydrated yogurt is pretty good stuff!!!   I just dumped a container of fruited yogurt on a tray and dried it.  Then broke it into pieces.  It tasted like fruity taffy.  Ummm!

 

 

I'm BACK!!!

Where does the time go?? Six weeks ago, the last time I blogged, was just before I had back surgery.  I thought I'd have TONS of time to get on here and chat.   Ha!   The funny thing is...I can't even account for what I've done in the last six weeks.  Seems like I was constantly busy, but never anything of consequence.   I do have to state, however..... I could REALLY get used to this not working thing!!! <grin>

It seems like it went from summer to late fall in a blink of an eye.  I thought it was a bit chilly a couple of nights ago, so lit the gas fireplace.  Then found out that it was in the 40's overnight.  No wonder it was chilly!   I am really NOT looking forward to winter this year!

I had SO hoped to be in TisaWee by this winter.  I haven't given up yet, but its looking more dismal by the day.  Herniating a disk in my back last spring trying to move a gigantic chopsaw off the table really threw a wrench (no pun intended) in the picture.

I'm hoping to have the exterior finished in the next couple weeks.  I'm wimping out and hiring someone to finish the fascia, soffit, and siding.  Those heights just scare the bejebbers out of me.   I've been trying to find help with the plumbing (none of my friends are plumbers.....go figure) but that isn't going so well.  I think I can figure out the electric, though....at least I don't have to worry about whether it is running uphill or if it is properly vented.  Of course, I'll have someone check it out for me.   Once all of that is done, I can get the insulation in, put the air/moisture barrier over it and I'm good to go!   It will be just like camping! <grin>

A  friend was looking at pictures of the nice house that I live in currently and wondered why I wanted to sell it.  Especially if that meant that I'd be living in TisaWee with plastic-covered walls, painted subflooring for floors, and boxes for cupboards.  She thought I was totally nuts.  And maybe I am, because I am excited about it!!  I guess I have the adventurous spirit of our ancestors.  It's a good thing, too.  Otherwise we'd all be saying "Good day, Ma'am" instead "Hey, ya'll"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suzy Homemaker

I can't believe that just a month ago I was saying "Gee!!! Look at the zucchini!!! It's ready to pick.  Ummmm!  Zucchini bread, sauteed zucchini, I can't wait for the zucchini......"

Now it is "egads....more zucchini?!?!?"   I'm about zucchini'd out. My latest use-the-buggers-up trick was to dice it finely and stirfry it in with some potatoes, onions and sausage, and then put that in an omelet with some melted cheese on top.  It was pretty darned good, too, I thought!

Joe's workplace has a policy of expecting people to bring in treats whenever they make a purchase of more than $100 or buy anything large.  (I thought MY office ate a lot!).   Guess what Joe bought this past week?  I told him I'd make cookies for him to take in for his "treat".....

Yes, the time on the blog is correct...it is 1:24 a.m.  I have spent WAY TOO MUCH time on these things.  But they are cute and I hope he likes them. <grin>  I even got the frosting the right color.  That looks like "Tango Red", doesn't it??

Well....time to hit the hay.  I'll clean the kitchen TOMORROW.  Sigh.

 

Farmer's Market

I finally got a chance to run out to the Farmer’s Market this past Thursday.  I’d been meaning to for the last couple weeks, but things kept coming up.  I had only been out there once last summer and wasn’t all that impressed. 

 

WOW.  It sure has changed.  I got there just before the official “opening” time and people were already heading to their cars with armloads of goodies.  This year, there were LOTS of vendors with fresh veggies – many of them organic.  In addition to the veggies, there were many other farm items including a booth selling the most wonderful smelling soaps.   She explained to me the difference between REAL soap, and the stuff they sell in the store called “beauty bars” or whatever.  I never realized that it isn’t called soap in the store – because it ISN’T soap!  Yes, soap is a “farm product”.  Some were made with goats milk, and all had herbs and natural items in them.  

 

Other booths had fresh jams and jellies, potted plants and herbs, freshly made breads and pies.  I spoke with most of the vendors and was surprised at how open they were to talk about their products, how they had been raised, and such.  One vendor uses hydroponics.  We talked a bit about whether it was feasible to raise fish at the same time – something I had thought about in the past.  He had the BIGGEST, reddest tomatoes!  I better be rethinking hydroponics!

 

I had to laugh. The pie vendor was such a soft-spoken young lady.  Reminded me of a southern belle with her soft accent.  During the short time I was at the market, she had sold ‘most every pie.  I said, “wow, those things are flying out of here, huh?” and she said, “well-ah….if ya’ll don’t git heah by 5:00, ya’ll don’t git pie-ah”.   OK….how DO you type in southern drawl??  Those pies DID look yummy!

 

There was a woman selling potted herbs and other plants.  She pulled a couple leaves off and had me smell them.  One was a lemon (something….not balm, not basil….drats!  There goes the brain again!), another was a LIME mint.   She said to put the leaf in a glass of white wine, and then sit back and relax.  Since I don’t drink wine (gives me a headache!), I just put it in a glass of water.  Refreshing!!  I might have to go back next week and buy a plant.  She reminded me that they will be at Riverside Park for the next couple weeks instead of the fairgrounds.  Evidently the fair grounds is booked for something else and will be charging admission, so the farmer’s market will be at the park.  That’s more convenient for me, anyway!

The main reason that I went to the farmer’s market, however, was to see the display by the kids of Glenwood School. I had received a little blurb about it (since I work at the schools), so thought I’d check it out.  My, oh my!!!!  

 

 

 

(Jon with Kyah, Nathan, and Katelyn.  Look at those zucchinis!!!!)

 

Last year, they had a few little raised beds at Glenwood school and were able to donate enough food to fed 139 people.  Their goal for this year had been 400 people, but because of donations of plants and seeds, they upped that goal to 600 people.  Since that donation, a farmer donated a couple acres of farm ground, so they have AGAIN upped their goal to 1000 people.  In addition to the free food donated to the nursing homes, city mission, churches, etc., they sell surplus produce at the farmer’s market to recoup their expenses (insurance, gasoline, sunscreen, first-aid).  All of this is done by just 14 kids in grades 6-9!!!!  They spend their entire summer, under the supervision of Jon Hart, planning, planting, weeding, harvesting, and then DONATING totally organic foods.  Jon’s dream is to find a few more acres of land and feed 5000 people next year and from what I’ve seen here, and seeing his enthusiasm and attitude, I’m sure he can do it. 

 

A sign on their table said that for every $1 spent there, they’d give away $9 worth of food to local charities and needy people.  I bought 2 HUGE zucchini and 2 large cukes – for a grand total of $2 – but that means 18 zucchini and 18 cukes will be donated because of my purchase.  I feel really good about that!

 

Now….if I can just get MY garden to produce half as well…….

Here's your sign...

It looks like the lettuce, beans, and peas that I planted a couple weeks ago are doing just fine.  The cooler evenings have really helped the lettuce -- I was worried that the hot weather would make it bolt faster than it grew.   Against my better judgement, I bought another 6 tomato plants and planted them at the house in town.  I couldn't turn it down...Menards was selling them for TWENTY-FIVE CENTS A FLAT!!!!!   I bought just one tray of six plants, and told them I'd pay for the entire flat anyway.  I don't have enough friends to give away 60-some tomato plants!

My birthday present "hint" worked because I got a really neat router for my birthday. Plus a dozen bits and a sign engraving kit.  I'm so psyched!  I haven't tried it out yet, but I'm anxious to play with it soon.  I have to be careful because I tend to go overboard (or so I'm told).  I guess I don't need signs that say "barn", "coop", "back door", "garage", huh??  What about "kitchen", "sugar", "extra toilet paper"??  Ok, I'll be good. 

Can I at least have "Ya'll Come Back, Ya hear??"?

 

Fair Time!

I ran out of soffitt material, and it's just too darned hot outside to do much, so decided to take a trip down the road to Ottawa and check out the county fair. 

I haven't been to a county fair in ages!  They haven't changed much....thank goodness!  I visited all the critter barns (saw the cutest "fancy" chicken and tiny pink pig!), checked out all the handicrafts and flower arrangements....usually concurring with the judges' decisions on blue ribbons, and looked through the 4-H building at the woodworking and sewing projects.  Of course, the mandatory trip down the midway a couple times checking out all the food vendors.  I guess I've grown up because I didn't even look at any of the games or rides.  

I bought a nut-encrusted carmel apple (my absolute favorite fair fare) and sat and watched the Robinson Family Bluegrass Band perform, bought a bag of cajun roasted peanuts for Joe, and headed back home.  It was a good evening.

Despite my better judgment, I planted peas, green beans, and lettuce at home a couple weeks ago.  I KNOW it is too late for lettuce and peas, but I've just got to try it.  I already had the seed, so all I'm wasting is my time.  The heat will cause problems with the lettuce, but I'm thinking that since it is a bit shaded, it might ....might.... do OK.  If not...I'll just plant the peas and lettuce again in late August for a fall crop.   Was just too anxious to get SOMETHING planted!   I've got tomatoes, peppers, squash, and other plants out at TisaWee, but they don't seem to be doing real well.  I think they need a dose of cockadoodle doo, but I haven't gotten around to cleaning the coop out.  And now it is too hot to even be THINKING about doing that!!!!    Somehow we went from April weather to August weather and I missed everything in the middle. 

My fruit trees aren't bearing well this year - and I don't know why.  I wonder if the funny spring weather has messed things up?   Even my forsythia bush didn't bloom this year!

I've been trying to think through my stair and railing-building process this week.  That's how I've built the whole place....think it through in my head, sketch some stuff out, ask anyone I know what they think, and THEN try building it.  And then change it when something little and stupid that I didn't think about crops up.   Anyway...this is stairs week.  It will be nice to be able to get to the upstairs without climbing a ladder.  Will make it much easier to get lumber and such upstairs. 

Ah, yes....I'll try to remember photos this time!

 

Another week!?

Another week has flown by. It's no wonder I didn't accomplish much last year.  Or at least it seems that way. I started on the interior walls last weekend, and that was the end of it.  With the exception of working in the garden, or just plain ol' wasting time, I haven't accomplished another thing since.  Seems like I spend a lot of my time just daydreaming. 

Too bad I can't remember my daydreams...I usually come up with some good ideas.  Or they seem good at the time.   My latest one is that I am going to construct my own bathroom vanity.  I love the look of a porcelain vessel on top of a wooden cabinet.  Unfortunately, all the wooden sideboards and cabinets that I already own are too short or too tall.  Since the house is very rustic and has lots of exposed pine, etc., you'd think it'd be simple to build a plain pine cabinet, huh??   We'll see!   So far, I just have lots of drawings on scrap paper.  Of course, my house started out that way, too, and has turned out pretty darned good!   I was admiring it the other day and thinking it looked just the way my cardboard scale model looked, except bigger.  Before I get too vain, however, I need to remember that my cardboard model got rained on and squashed.  Hopefully the house fares better!

I'll try and take pictures this time.  I've never tried furniture construction.  Large house framing is pretty forgiving.  If it isn't strong enough or something isn't right, nail another board over it.  The siding will cover it.  Probably not so with furniture!  

My birthday is coming up.  Maybe I should hint that I want a router??  I got a really cool circular saw a couple years ago -- just what I asked for!  

Cottage Update

Good grief, it is June already!!!  I've been building the TisaWee cottage for over a year now.  Sometimes it is amazing to see what has been accomplished, but on the other hand....it's sure taking a long time!   I have friends that started HUGE houses just three or four months ago and are living in them now.  Of course, they had professional crews of people doing all the work and had real blueprints and plumbers and electricians, etc.  And money. 

Since I'm lacking ALL of the above, I guess I should be content with what I've accomplished so far.

I picked the first of the strawberries this weekend.  I was a bit disappointed in their size and flavor, but I'm hoping that will improve as the plants get older and the soil gets better.  I'm sure that the soil is pretty dead because it was commercially farmed for YEARS until I bought it four years ago.  Of course, they still tasted TONS better than store-bought.  I also spent some time re-tying up the blackberries.  The twine that runs between the supports only lasts a couple years before it disintegrates.  That's fine.  I cut the bushes back each year anyway, so it's easy to restring them when they need it.   The rest of the orchard looks GREAT, however.  Trees are huge now, and they are only 3 or 4 years old?  I'm glad that I put them in the same year I bought the property.

I finally started working inside the cottage again.  I figured that the plumbing can't be run until all the interior walls are in, so started there.  Actually, only the bathroom wall needed put in downstairs...everything else was framed in because the rest of the walls are supporting walls.  The placement for the bathroom walls was mostly by-guess-and-by-golly.  I'd drag the tub and sink around and see what looked best.  The toilet was a blue folding lawn chair...the real toilet is too heavy to move!  I also had to take into consideration the ease of running the soil lines, drains, and water lines.  And what the view from the window would be.  Hehehe.  Once I got them in place and could see what amount of space I needed, I built the bathroom walls around them.  Other than needing to remove a couple studs from the supporting wall so I can make a doorway into the closet (that's always a good thing, you know??), I'm pretty much done with the framing downstairs.  Woohoo!  

After I put up the bathroom walls upstairs, I can start the plumbing. Joy, joy! 

In the meantime, though, I needed some small victory so planted a garden out there.  At least, it looks like something that is started and FINISHED.... I don't get much of that around TisaWee.  Lots of UFO's out there....un-finished objects.

My house in town is for sale, though, so that's a good stimulus to get TisaWee finished.  If my house sells (cross your fingers, toes, whatever it takes), and I have 30 days after closing to be moved out....I'm going to be working around the clock at TisaWee.  Or homeless.

Dog Psychology

My ferocious watch dog (if you've seen Sir Gibson, you know how funny that statement was), has been having barking fits about 5:18 a.m. every morning lately.  He barks about 10 minutes straight, and then everything is fine and he goes back to sleep.  And then the lazy bugger won't get up when I get up to go to work.  I think I've finally figure out what is happening....

When the weather was really nice, I left all my windows open and I heard a commotion at that time in the morning.  I think kids were driving to my neighbor’s house, sitting on their porch and talking while waiting for another youngster to join them, and then taking off again.  Every morning.  Evidently Gibson can hear them, even with the windows shut now. 

So each morning, Gibson would start growling really low in his throat, and I’d tell him to shut up.  And then he’d growl a bit louder, and I’d say…a bit louder, too… “shut up!”.  Then he’ll bark, and I’ll yell, “Quiet!  Shut up!  Stop it!”.  He just wouldn’t stop!!!!!  That’s not like him to ignore me.  And, of course, at 5:00 in the morning, it’s all the more frustrating because I’m not awake enough to deal with it sensibly.

 

This morning, however, I was awake before he started his daily barking ritual.  (Reminder to self – watch that caffeine before bedtime!).   I tried to imagine I was a dog and what I was hearing.  I’m sure, to him, it went like this…..

 

<hears talking outside.  Must be big, bad guys out to harm Momma>

Gibson, growling:  “I’m warning you…stay away.  I’m here to protect”

Momma:  “quiet down!”

Gibson, louder now:  “Yeah, hear Momma??  Quiet!”

Momma, louder still:  “Quiet down I say!”

Gibson, in a frenzy now:  “Yeah, what she said!!!!!”

Etc., etc., etc.

 

I’m sure he thought he was just adding his comments to my conversation with the big, bad guys.  Surely I wasn’t yelling at little ol’ him, right???   

 

Of course, I don’t want to curb his watch-doggin’ tendencies, but I want him to understand that once I’ve acknowledged him, he can STOP.   Any ideas???