tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83529488781037000442024-03-13T02:52:19.547-07:00Jordan and Vadim are Cheap!A chronicle of our mostly ethical efforts to pinch pennies through scrounging, growing, and cooking.jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01440972682422819957noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352948878103700044.post-19074414470581645672012-09-30T20:55:00.001-07:002012-09-30T20:55:18.778-07:00Cherry Wine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A couple of months ago, we brought home 15 pounds of cherries from our Saturday produce pickup. We read <a href="http://ingeb.org/junk/wine.html" target="_blank">this</a> guide and purchased the requisite brewing supplies:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5 gallon food grade bucket with lid</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
air lock and stopper</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
rubber grommets for the stopper</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
red wine yeast (Pasteur)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
size 4X pantyhose to use as a sieve</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
sugar (12 lbs!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I spent several hours pitting the cherries by hand before borrowing a cherry pitter from the neighbor. What a difference! Both the kitchen and I looked like a murder scene by the time I finished. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHPbsq4bMMbNF7hspMbJr9LYqM_B5L0RZHIOUez3R2mLeUox0JnHelYjj5MYCQ7IhVKQdaCSDALm_buBM684wrxwoIxpz0mGdb1P3YbaWvW-FICLwr0x0gDOx6iTt8j93G7SVCpMLqF4/s1600/P1020595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHPbsq4bMMbNF7hspMbJr9LYqM_B5L0RZHIOUez3R2mLeUox0JnHelYjj5MYCQ7IhVKQdaCSDALm_buBM684wrxwoIxpz0mGdb1P3YbaWvW-FICLwr0x0gDOx6iTt8j93G7SVCpMLqF4/s640/P1020595.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of the cherries went into the sterilized bucket. I then poured several gallons of boiling sugar water onto the cherries.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZI0MiThgA_25B8vA6Q7rfPmg3yXy1FtdZMzb7TWKW_fMigki5X-qfw8akRizRdGsZvKJii8D40RBEjwzt7qQXoQE-fd2EeEtIwT19t6M6f6A9MaJGSxqfooW3XP0_kSHzfewkmcntU4w/s1600/P1020598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZI0MiThgA_25B8vA6Q7rfPmg3yXy1FtdZMzb7TWKW_fMigki5X-qfw8akRizRdGsZvKJii8D40RBEjwzt7qQXoQE-fd2EeEtIwT19t6M6f6A9MaJGSxqfooW3XP0_kSHzfewkmcntU4w/s640/P1020598.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I slowly heated the entire packet of yeast until it activated and then stirred it into the cherry must.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97nuYp-ow_E8RMm2UVUhbd_596BN9IYOEt2kWmey5mPkkqBd9Vr46SJD_MYhsmVTF8MgqUMsTeMCBf2RohAXnEsrI1ZchxgcJkEmrZvGom3EywhjBn5Rumo3owiTJFobACBFo0Zx0zVo/s1600/P1020596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97nuYp-ow_E8RMm2UVUhbd_596BN9IYOEt2kWmey5mPkkqBd9Vr46SJD_MYhsmVTF8MgqUMsTeMCBf2RohAXnEsrI1ZchxgcJkEmrZvGom3EywhjBn5Rumo3owiTJFobACBFo0Zx0zVo/s640/P1020596.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We cut a hole into the lid and fitted it with a rubber grommet and attached the stopper and air lock.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQC50UGDla_yHTdRghy5YttwXZLJ7k8qzGTraIEg8-6OL3PB8Dr0s9RJam3GaI2q4kKC-hKn6jleVGoxrYYHUs0K29u5MtezGOzILrql8EliJDLWafr6R8lWxISsWNkRvXXi_S6SEN0XY/s1600/P1020614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQC50UGDla_yHTdRghy5YttwXZLJ7k8qzGTraIEg8-6OL3PB8Dr0s9RJam3GaI2q4kKC-hKn6jleVGoxrYYHUs0K29u5MtezGOzILrql8EliJDLWafr6R8lWxISsWNkRvXXi_S6SEN0XY/s640/P1020614.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stirred the must everyday for a couple of weeks. Here you can see that it's already fermenting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ySFvrnaMwGxiOH7qg6yIrDkrZoP_cRshlV9_1NB1keM-0Xn8vFlJKRPJ1w_fiCtNACs8uYbmKTQvplWveLOWU5dVTCg8u8id6j6X4DbP219v4fau65VsmvTR5-IjhQgc20bbBj7i70U/s1600/P1020619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ySFvrnaMwGxiOH7qg6yIrDkrZoP_cRshlV9_1NB1keM-0Xn8vFlJKRPJ1w_fiCtNACs8uYbmKTQvplWveLOWU5dVTCg8u8id6j6X4DbP219v4fau65VsmvTR5-IjhQgc20bbBj7i70U/s640/P1020619.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After more than a month of fermentation, Vadim drained the resulting liquid through pantyhose and added more water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUg4Fa-g9uZP9C3ZHmDnP7G8NLoX_Jps4yspisk6yVfZPYq1_30mIPAlAGRT8HT8Bv3P6pAitwIMCHdZcakei9i12TOQKfbW1P_2WI1hO8hVsv788EAXCxfltoY99VMiBj4lErrQPiEWc/s1600/P1020620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUg4Fa-g9uZP9C3ZHmDnP7G8NLoX_Jps4yspisk6yVfZPYq1_30mIPAlAGRT8HT8Bv3P6pAitwIMCHdZcakei9i12TOQKfbW1P_2WI1hO8hVsv788EAXCxfltoY99VMiBj4lErrQPiEWc/s640/P1020620.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The leftover cherries were greatly reduced in mass. We'll let the wine continue fermenting for up to three months, tasting periodically. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Interestingly, the acidity of the cherries made my hands more sensitive than I realized, and I stupidly decided to roast and peel poblanos the same day as the pitting. I spent the night immobilized with my hands soaking in a mixture of milk and, oddly, bleach. I'll probably wear gloves next time I attempt something like this.<br />
<br />
Cheers!</div>
jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01440972682422819957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352948878103700044.post-27647938230157250582012-08-19T18:15:00.002-07:002012-08-19T18:15:27.715-07:00Worms and Grubs Video.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I found creatures thriving in our soil. It's pretty self-explanatory. Take a look:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/mA3HTlnTykc" target="_blank">YouTube link to our video.</a></div>
vadoom.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03332834397448934938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352948878103700044.post-77396583646947053352012-08-19T18:08:00.002-07:002012-08-19T18:08:51.321-07:00Mas Libros.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I just wanted to show you folks what we hauled in last Saturday after a free food drive. Words cannot begin to describe how much hatred I had for prep work but once it was done, I was eager to begin cooking. I steamed the Brussels sprouts in bamboo trays and tossed them with EVOO, sea salt (available at your dollar store!), and Malabar peppercorns. Included in the haul are many pounds of apricots and cherries with which Jordan and I are going to undertake fermenting into wine. She picked up some food grade plastic buckets and grommets to fit airlocks into the lid. We'll document that process shortly.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiQrjvBv-nGgMkYNPpf87uOlGqB80Tk8ZSywr8dxHwqrZ4OM2PNuG20U49XL6IZPB9gg_0nzK94t8I0lcys89Jq-o8OcsBETLbq4spi05JOy0OApwSlXl7cSQZU4Qx_7LLDod293OEhfI/s1600/P1020577_stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiQrjvBv-nGgMkYNPpf87uOlGqB80Tk8ZSywr8dxHwqrZ4OM2PNuG20U49XL6IZPB9gg_0nzK94t8I0lcys89Jq-o8OcsBETLbq4spi05JOy0OApwSlXl7cSQZU4Qx_7LLDod293OEhfI/s640/P1020577_stitch.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swiss chard, pineapple, cauliflower florets, red and green romaines, avocados, eggplants, Brussels sprouts, green onions, limes, okra, radishes, collards, poblano chillis, red bells, 1.5 gallons of whole milk, mangoes, raspberries, and boxes of cherries and apricots. Whew!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Stay tuned!</div>
vadoom.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03332834397448934938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352948878103700044.post-69296841101894816992012-08-14T14:16:00.000-07:002012-08-14T14:16:01.752-07:00Another Garden Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7q0sblWGtDZWGmCOmfO_UZIugYy6wVKrqB8jxOt5BpCVvbIIPaC-Nd7MDlalMGqVbUFKLPF6RWm8stHHJPauGh-ZRtTgBbefZZvlVphEBDf5spjiFu-A5_-4XNp9JKlSdqHUfWnMR-AI/s1600/P1020557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7q0sblWGtDZWGmCOmfO_UZIugYy6wVKrqB8jxOt5BpCVvbIIPaC-Nd7MDlalMGqVbUFKLPF6RWm8stHHJPauGh-ZRtTgBbefZZvlVphEBDf5spjiFu-A5_-4XNp9JKlSdqHUfWnMR-AI/s640/P1020557.JPG" title=" " width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomatillos. Surprisingly, we've had the best harvest from a volunteer plant that showed up in our radish/arugula bed. Our big patch of tomatillos suffered from an infestation of black grubs that were resistant to soap sprays.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNk8om0hwo7WmCl5oTRkZrsl5I0ieyaNP6D5d8vWms45LJWIX-Yc39tEygsMac34xPUDZBbXa3ogXr9mPLUSvKfbPbh5TvbeGLfKDB4PiuQcW70ABwYfUwdKsKHZfCatkrcAiKHyy8Y0I/s1600/P1020559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNk8om0hwo7WmCl5oTRkZrsl5I0ieyaNP6D5d8vWms45LJWIX-Yc39tEygsMac34xPUDZBbXa3ogXr9mPLUSvKfbPbh5TvbeGLfKDB4PiuQcW70ABwYfUwdKsKHZfCatkrcAiKHyy8Y0I/s640/P1020559.JPG" title=" " width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Armenian cucumber and an inexplicably sweaty me. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE63_aaJKsrjMJkRgk2IUuRFxnvfE1iS1TeMHSSXzuZmVsi1GjauxGCjm1GKmAjRECdIHhn2o1AwGZ0T6Yro5IZEcUtQ8kfdVIzZ0uDWm27uvEpyJQtkKvoSk_uH0ySR9FXkFbJfbCVFQ/s1600/P1020522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE63_aaJKsrjMJkRgk2IUuRFxnvfE1iS1TeMHSSXzuZmVsi1GjauxGCjm1GKmAjRECdIHhn2o1AwGZ0T6Yro5IZEcUtQ8kfdVIzZ0uDWm27uvEpyJQtkKvoSk_uH0ySR9FXkFbJfbCVFQ/s640/P1020522.JPG" title=" " width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some kind of pickling cucumber.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hHvpZNJPMwNBmDLS-3TZbsdKztC_V5lcpin4BdQI8FfGwFLUMgJ6IxLMyr9GG6myCO7ipVrIfp9oQZHer_geo33cdXFF9F24zqwuSrshPLA2f1PDTWrdAQ4DQz8l5IxtoBaegGh6MOQ/s1600/P1020548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hHvpZNJPMwNBmDLS-3TZbsdKztC_V5lcpin4BdQI8FfGwFLUMgJ6IxLMyr9GG6myCO7ipVrIfp9oQZHer_geo33cdXFF9F24zqwuSrshPLA2f1PDTWrdAQ4DQz8l5IxtoBaegGh6MOQ/s640/P1020548.JPG" title=" " width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two massive<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cucurbita_foetidissima" target="_blank"> buffalo gourds </a>took over our lettuce bed. We didn't know what they were for a while. Apparently it's an indigenous species that produces a hard squash.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfeSMHEhE6CnUn06XqVSHWNL83PzDdKkV34gzbxaTQpVLtA1xuzjwtd3kvA84_xHzBfAhfWm96E_PpmI12GF7EeezRaQsa1z2qOz8fPgK2PKItYJIO79AHHG8nXUwgYyEJrm8EQQlSdc/s1600/P1020549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfeSMHEhE6CnUn06XqVSHWNL83PzDdKkV34gzbxaTQpVLtA1xuzjwtd3kvA84_xHzBfAhfWm96E_PpmI12GF7EeezRaQsa1z2qOz8fPgK2PKItYJIO79AHHG8nXUwgYyEJrm8EQQlSdc/s640/P1020549.JPG" title=" " width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gourd started growing through the windows and into the house. Despite producing a fruit that's edible while young, we opted to pull it out so we could plant more manageable veggies in its stead.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBBysfc2tQJowdj6pu1XtKH0y6ptxKLPlMXYI-oaaMiIf5QpEkj2ZTCl5ylqVVnggx54Qj8I_Vc7VLZ9xG1XnXGxDKug4BrPV8DLCm9WJ_I7siD4W6t1sudA4nkGxFuexAaGGg20hHqA/s1600/P1020553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBBysfc2tQJowdj6pu1XtKH0y6ptxKLPlMXYI-oaaMiIf5QpEkj2ZTCl5ylqVVnggx54Qj8I_Vc7VLZ9xG1XnXGxDKug4BrPV8DLCm9WJ_I7siD4W6t1sudA4nkGxFuexAaGGg20hHqA/s640/P1020553.JPG" title=" " width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> The soil beneath the gourd was rich and full of life.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-YOpGKncBNXyvx7MhprVzYi_4SNybviCWR0PTNRT1T90edi9b-vIDNWD7DXv4PaDTkSJ5WiKI_QTqFgs3doUajl20P9H-eTRQ4CDZ_KtQwCHou9E6T7cpnQHRhnsChy2tUmWxWlBxCg/s1600/P1020571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-YOpGKncBNXyvx7MhprVzYi_4SNybviCWR0PTNRT1T90edi9b-vIDNWD7DXv4PaDTkSJ5WiKI_QTqFgs3doUajl20P9H-eTRQ4CDZ_KtQwCHou9E6T7cpnQHRhnsChy2tUmWxWlBxCg/s640/P1020571.JPG" title=" " width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vadim dug furrows and built up berms where the buffalo gourd had been. We replanted the space and so far the ditches are proving especially efficient at holding water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIz_uHbuvR9GdpTsZcNvkweMGZ9BGmFE8FrH6thBwx6bk2fDSXCdRRoSSKl4VmQL18mp1alNNBN137azQ1_0dce5ZgufM2-SWQEa1KdHADioU5TTAwWnI2tFvv1Gjmn5ab-LnNX6Mu9g/s1600/P1020561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIz_uHbuvR9GdpTsZcNvkweMGZ9BGmFE8FrH6thBwx6bk2fDSXCdRRoSSKl4VmQL18mp1alNNBN137azQ1_0dce5ZgufM2-SWQEa1KdHADioU5TTAwWnI2tFvv1Gjmn5ab-LnNX6Mu9g/s640/P1020561.JPG" title=" " width="524" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indoor plant collection. All sorts of rescued orchids. Orchids are perennials so there's no need to toss them out once they quit blooming. Just cut back the stocks and water as needed. They'll bloom again next year. In the foreground are lentil sprouts, pepper seedlings, succulent cuttings, and willow stem rooting hormone. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR533uqa7ELmTz1rgUWn78CTJs7SQYnhgD1fdEFu0P8jY-7SPh1_5140Khf3vVsI8aWGLYG0AzztGSZf8207AbLodinfeH20zUeCNA7XehRabcUClYHoreBvELm6xKcJbJjFnFxhTI4w/s1600/P1020563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR533uqa7ELmTz1rgUWn78CTJs7SQYnhgD1fdEFu0P8jY-7SPh1_5140Khf3vVsI8aWGLYG0AzztGSZf8207AbLodinfeH20zUeCNA7XehRabcUClYHoreBvELm6xKcJbJjFnFxhTI4w/s640/P1020563.JPG" title=" " width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zinnias are maybe my favorite flower. The colors are especially vibrant, they continue to rebloom, and they're easy to grow from seed. I reseeded the flower bed with three more zinnia varieties yesterday for the fall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HgmfWUqMqt45dAmRdhX_fSXs2l5HIuNL9nn-xXy4rl6srLt06EwNm1ad0FUEwguQtW2uPdWc28YeW2bHNN-jxsrO26-Ke77KG5wZFqBfsFYP7u4fkFN3QupTeWbovQzV4VNjgCupiQ8/s1600/P1020565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HgmfWUqMqt45dAmRdhX_fSXs2l5HIuNL9nn-xXy4rl6srLt06EwNm1ad0FUEwguQtW2uPdWc28YeW2bHNN-jxsrO26-Ke77KG5wZFqBfsFYP7u4fkFN3QupTeWbovQzV4VNjgCupiQ8/s640/P1020565.JPG" title=" " width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first hollyhock I've successfully grown from seed. Hummingbirds love it. There's another getting ready to bloom next to it and I'm excited to see what color it is.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-b6M5g5IoVKa9-nwd_zz8U3rF2t_SB1ZzRR60TgXK3NyvThu378TLuwgRQcZ02K4ZmrnHenOCyztmXx1RGKXa_03z3eBmnKw13EFoOT1FyEvNZ7U_8XhvnXlfpJ7Od6cMUwXFfEPQpk/s1600/P1020564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-b6M5g5IoVKa9-nwd_zz8U3rF2t_SB1ZzRR60TgXK3NyvThu378TLuwgRQcZ02K4ZmrnHenOCyztmXx1RGKXa_03z3eBmnKw13EFoOT1FyEvNZ7U_8XhvnXlfpJ7Od6cMUwXFfEPQpk/s640/P1020564.JPG" title=" " width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of new growth on our pineapple plant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBZ-FgIe6AKFnpMvh3FTmcHPkH8lOutOPmtPDIBmPv8qDRpCBpc9vLivXEdql6EsjOBlS1Os05veN4D2twpP17CIclLqm9pTsZSDy4gWMx6c-LUgzIPwZGsq3M07g98FQQgvaj21f30c/s1600/P1020566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBZ-FgIe6AKFnpMvh3FTmcHPkH8lOutOPmtPDIBmPv8qDRpCBpc9vLivXEdql6EsjOBlS1Os05veN4D2twpP17CIclLqm9pTsZSDy4gWMx6c-LUgzIPwZGsq3M07g98FQQgvaj21f30c/s640/P1020566.JPG" title=" " width="404" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The biggest of our mammoth sunflowers. It's taller than the house and still hasn't started blooming. We planted tons of sunflowers to shade the cucumber and nightshade beds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q1N6HhMCKDJCc2JrgpmzmF09mrBQ44UKgPhppyUIQeKwPHecJvYLqthWpfu11dlvI9TPyTOTUN6j06ATxZV_afGo35YEeeOOphA5COxtGdFOxd8jLtjkmGrZQMONGdrhMmYe7jSLQxo/s1600/P1020568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title=" "><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q1N6HhMCKDJCc2JrgpmzmF09mrBQ44UKgPhppyUIQeKwPHecJvYLqthWpfu11dlvI9TPyTOTUN6j06ATxZV_afGo35YEeeOOphA5COxtGdFOxd8jLtjkmGrZQMONGdrhMmYe7jSLQxo/s640/P1020568.JPG" title=" " width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chia. Nearly as tall as I am, but still no signs of going to seed. This was a volunteer plant. We dumped a bottle full of fermented chia seeds and water onto the bed and it's gone crazy. The chia's protecting strawberries, herbs, and Chinese greens from the sun. We'll harvest the seeds to eat and mix into drinks once it flowers. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQa5jIlg-RDP8ceheOh53OC-uh-EiD_kPuMLUFwgjR00M-iKNydgF7wNuF5qX7Ty2gtfLm99A2Egd7vcLg3ifck8weHAHCXDGFeyUd4YzBIJInwNiiGMA0L2YI7nc3N3jbCzUTv03i8VE/s1600/P1020569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQa5jIlg-RDP8ceheOh53OC-uh-EiD_kPuMLUFwgjR00M-iKNydgF7wNuF5qX7Ty2gtfLm99A2Egd7vcLg3ifck8weHAHCXDGFeyUd4YzBIJInwNiiGMA0L2YI7nc3N3jbCzUTv03i8VE/s640/P1020569.JPG" title=" " width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have wild purslane growing allover the yard. The leaves are fatter and more succulent than most I've seen. They're delicious either raw or sauteed and boast a host of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portulaca_oleracea#Culinary_usage" target="_blank">healthy attributes</a>, including the highest concentration of omega-3 fatty acids of any leafy vegetable.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01440972682422819957noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352948878103700044.post-18561552718282062672012-07-16T21:36:00.003-07:002012-07-16T21:49:26.755-07:00Profiting from Festivals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Next time you attend a festival with a campsite, stick around after everyone's left and wonder at the excess heedlessly left behind. We attended <a href="http://www.coachella.com/" target="_blank">Coachella </a>in April and did just that.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Z0TXoSEXB9zIiY9VeSYqtAQGRK76etAWbqi_YO1Cb1_CiKr8FDGxTxKpaCrLc6MoYgWj4-35yuTfAUSm9pNMXCVaVcKWGPg60ViPZ1GUGeGPZobuYDcAJjKh-LxgeLw6B49FEvpTJYs/s1600/P1020107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Z0TXoSEXB9zIiY9VeSYqtAQGRK76etAWbqi_YO1Cb1_CiKr8FDGxTxKpaCrLc6MoYgWj4-35yuTfAUSm9pNMXCVaVcKWGPg60ViPZ1GUGeGPZobuYDcAJjKh-LxgeLw6B49FEvpTJYs/s640/P1020107.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wealthy festival goers with vehicles chock full of potential money for us!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">The bulk of the attendees aren't serious campers and picked up equipment solely for the purpose of attending the festival. When Monday morning rolled around, many were too hungover, tired, or lazy to clean up their camps and opted to drive right out, leaving behind an irresistible haul for scroungers like us. We picked up chairs, coolers, a tent, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, a gazebo, food, and more cases of abysmal Natty Ice than we're willing to admit. We could've kept going all day, but with three of us and a carload of our own camping accoutrements, we simply lacked the space.</span>
<br />
<br />
We kept the perishables for ourselves, but listed the bulk of our findings on eBay, netting enough to cover our utilities and internet--linked to our Paypal account--until the end of our lease. We had enough money left over that we upgraded some of our own <a href="http://www.rei.com/product/783287/gsi-outdoors-pinnacle-dualist-cook-syste" target="_blank">camping equipment</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6zCqVO2TToCArsqEEqGqoZV1lBIWNBSSl2eleVfXYp2u53HXmAr5A1b6_7TP7KpvJlScG-wMCryaHFqxLonoR2DKfLr34Cg8SYCHJ_2OlmYGF1aB96HwQ9R0Z0oFoirSk3UWUCMvzEk/s1600/P1020116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6zCqVO2TToCArsqEEqGqoZV1lBIWNBSSl2eleVfXYp2u53HXmAr5A1b6_7TP7KpvJlScG-wMCryaHFqxLonoR2DKfLr34Cg8SYCHJ_2OlmYGF1aB96HwQ9R0Z0oFoirSk3UWUCMvzEk/s640/P1020116.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Refused's Dennis Lyxz<em style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">é</em>n<span style="background-color: white;">: how Vadim justified the cost of attending.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">Attending festivals in order to glean from the campsites isn't exactly cost effective. The higher the initial ticket cost, the more likely attendees will be people with disposable incomes and, subsequently, disposable belongings. We justified the expense of attending because my ticket was free (thanks Sara!) and Vadim couldn't pass up the opportunity to see bands he'd been mooning over since adolescence. We've yet to have another opportunity to exploit this level of wastefulness again but will certainly consider volunteering for campsite cleanup in the future. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01440972682422819957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352948878103700044.post-88189224448091241432012-07-14T19:44:00.000-07:002012-07-14T19:44:33.468-07:00Food and Flowers.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There's a facility in the University area called <a href="http://abqpeaceandjustice.org/" target="_blank">The Peace and Justice Center</a> that hosts many community events, concerts, and speeches. The most important to us is their Saturday morning food distributions. They give out generous amounts of food from grocery stores that'd otherwise discard the blemished, expiring, or overstocked produce and food. Among these items are loaves of bread, gallons of milk, containers of random fruits and vegetables, and the produce itself. All of this is free, by the way.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6Zd4vWsMQ1g3fXNe0IeKUF41iIAd5sRVXwPwPNVZ1YvXY-dlWvmPOXnE7WC3feNEkySfkECKS-BI0O73kv078QLalzdE2jILAZqeLxLD2VIGf9YYTyQAc3UlA_8h-E-uxwRRXR4jknMU/s1600/Albuquerque-20120428-00027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6Zd4vWsMQ1g3fXNe0IeKUF41iIAd5sRVXwPwPNVZ1YvXY-dlWvmPOXnE7WC3feNEkySfkECKS-BI0O73kv078QLalzdE2jILAZqeLxLD2VIGf9YYTyQAc3UlA_8h-E-uxwRRXR4jknMU/s640/Albuquerque-20120428-00027.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our first harvests, about 3 months ago.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmCQ5AXa85wcFTdv0dOXnevbnDuR7ZgCUSFsjpuGDDZZ1W9ghSSWegP01vMchmdmU9r-3cWDMjrd01saGyNKl460Xnz4yLKRPQV11q0ZyK1BPWsZ6nmyWjUpVF00AGgtFQpVSjaJ5UYVX/s1600/P1020461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmCQ5AXa85wcFTdv0dOXnevbnDuR7ZgCUSFsjpuGDDZZ1W9ghSSWegP01vMchmdmU9r-3cWDMjrd01saGyNKl460Xnz4yLKRPQV11q0ZyK1BPWsZ6nmyWjUpVF00AGgtFQpVSjaJ5UYVX/s640/P1020461.JPG" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free zucchini steaming in bamboo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVPwNW9rDaQ-gMc0HcV9HltNqPzZwQi3VFTS98j0qs5UpE-chg3tz32ilP5Fab03Ws0xbwxr4OPIRZ6Q3V7_CIW6do4dh9J2YyZh9oi70_2mk1QtosYqkpem-bc3bmy7L065ybWUxbx5Q/s1600/P1020463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVPwNW9rDaQ-gMc0HcV9HltNqPzZwQi3VFTS98j0qs5UpE-chg3tz32ilP5Fab03Ws0xbwxr4OPIRZ6Q3V7_CIW6do4dh9J2YyZh9oi70_2mk1QtosYqkpem-bc3bmy7L065ybWUxbx5Q/s640/P1020463.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brassicas ready to be dealt with!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">So at 8:30, we usually arrive to a long line of people waiting to get their share of the cast-off food. There is nothing inherently wrong with the food unless it is beginning to decompose, in which case we are pushed to prepare it quickly after bringing it home. Many hours of prep work can lie ahead if we feel the desire to eat diversely. There is always, however, fodder for the compost pile!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiof3WtSaBOteDTojQzH0FoEyEPSDTX9toME4uCiiSZ5-UFrMryPLwdSqEOxtIXrWwsw0SW9Wir67uPfck0weRaYrVTV430oEKGWoXbMh-HRLxv_hYPgFRelNkeGhVetKkZGoHyFpcnABzB/s1600/P1020465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiof3WtSaBOteDTojQzH0FoEyEPSDTX9toME4uCiiSZ5-UFrMryPLwdSqEOxtIXrWwsw0SW9Wir67uPfck0weRaYrVTV430oEKGWoXbMh-HRLxv_hYPgFRelNkeGhVetKkZGoHyFpcnABzB/s640/P1020465.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Limes, avocados, peaches, and succulent plums.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Today, we picked up many pounds of cherries, plums, peaches, cucumbers, green/red leaf lettuces, radishes, turnips, broccoli, cauliflower, and other salad greens. Every week differs in quantity and quality of goods. Sometimes we have eggplants and other days we have avocados (23 after one haul!). As I've mentioned, it differs, and so does our diet from week to week. As it goes, many people do not pick up kale, collard, or mustard greens. We usually get first pick of those and gather enough to last us several meals. Likewise, root vegetables seem to be unpopular. They taste great made into a mash with our homemade bone stocks.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUl1IMcb2cSffnRG2rALJTPzqwOXLxrYWkzr2YvzQLLzuqWCCrhgdCHLvrXfgayRfRtxzA30hAvpCET9KJNrpOo1eeIOR1X0SbZH6GrVd8zbOX9SsoI2OcgOKpHJfdQBLcjpZDer8Dc9Mi/s1600/P1020468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUl1IMcb2cSffnRG2rALJTPzqwOXLxrYWkzr2YvzQLLzuqWCCrhgdCHLvrXfgayRfRtxzA30hAvpCET9KJNrpOo1eeIOR1X0SbZH6GrVd8zbOX9SsoI2OcgOKpHJfdQBLcjpZDer8Dc9Mi/s640/P1020468.JPG" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greens and cherries in the fridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With the summer weather augmented by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chubasco&printable=yes" target="_blank">chubasco</a> patterns out here, our garden has been flourishing. Deep, slow watering from the rainfall has lead to fewer sessions out with the hose. With Jordan and my work schedule intensified recently, the break helps reduce watering responsibility from us both. Flowers are blooming quite cheerfully. We even have signs of our first vegetables growing! Little cucumbers and weeny tomatoes are already starting to extend behind their respective blossoms. Soon, I expect to have many fresh salad greens aside bountiful tomato harvests. We plan on lactate pickling more; green tomatoes and Armenian cucumbers remind me of my childhood.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZqVHoJh95C-TfF4r_H3jpdSeECbK_wCWMi92jZDZVm5m6zdpbjy6b8WpBA2JF6ieX1kgErKlJlA0qUsK5e1thttTK_BvTGTZKgKRlM8eGzMF3swzHacq8Gj35XlUVDGW8yJAV75n9s1X/s1600/P1020450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZqVHoJh95C-TfF4r_H3jpdSeECbK_wCWMi92jZDZVm5m6zdpbjy6b8WpBA2JF6ieX1kgErKlJlA0qUsK5e1thttTK_BvTGTZKgKRlM8eGzMF3swzHacq8Gj35XlUVDGW8yJAV75n9s1X/s640/P1020450.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green leaf lettuce happily growing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nMpyUrzhZZEekjnwh3AyT4DlJtUavUFcvjQV2DeCa-lpnyvWJ_52Trzt1mlsuozXZp__nAshJynM28vm89tqHYXUMa_NTYB-iIIVDLyUwgUudjREgLFpShhj0ouMo0pnixw2oj-oepH0/s1600/P1020453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nMpyUrzhZZEekjnwh3AyT4DlJtUavUFcvjQV2DeCa-lpnyvWJ_52Trzt1mlsuozXZp__nAshJynM28vm89tqHYXUMa_NTYB-iIIVDLyUwgUudjREgLFpShhj0ouMo0pnixw2oj-oepH0/s640/P1020453.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some variety of Marigold.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1ZpRPMmsXIAda1nt-euHtFcy3DC7GzKt5siIFymQ6N99M78DI_rlA704577KcALBOHV9lYF3tg797Jvd_UhD8_8Je722n2Zkx8kPoCIaJH-WwCxbt6LZo4Jx75q_rkoysgMMd1LR4zP6/s1600/P1020454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1ZpRPMmsXIAda1nt-euHtFcy3DC7GzKt5siIFymQ6N99M78DI_rlA704577KcALBOHV9lYF3tg797Jvd_UhD8_8Je722n2Zkx8kPoCIaJH-WwCxbt6LZo4Jx75q_rkoysgMMd1LR4zP6/s640/P1020454.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another variety, with 4 inch blossoms.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WddHnNyz3Ay2E6g1MrjD86OAA42kpQ616-hOMZv4Bi6JMrcaUYQzqXtiH3BJyNitzcIqp4StQiHp6MOCm0xOWTr4f6yuh3b0VHevZoHdx6uLswi1bk-RQFOwu96AxYAGc_vwQkHwVdBD/s1600/P1020456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WddHnNyz3Ay2E6g1MrjD86OAA42kpQ616-hOMZv4Bi6JMrcaUYQzqXtiH3BJyNitzcIqp4StQiHp6MOCm0xOWTr4f6yuh3b0VHevZoHdx6uLswi1bk-RQFOwu96AxYAGc_vwQkHwVdBD/s640/P1020456.JPG" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MASSIVE mammoth sunflowers in the backyard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">Summer in Albuquerque is gorgeous. Humidity makes things muggier than I'm used to in Tempe but pales in comparison to Chicago's soggy atmosphere. Many fruit trees out here are ready to harvest or approaching that point. We've been plucking apricots, plums, peaches, apples, and pears from neighbor's yards and "sampling." It's not quite apple or pear season yet but like the Phoenix area, many fruit trees are just left to drop their harvest. Noting which ones are neglected and ignored keeps us busy and mindful of more free nutrition. A neighbor asked us to help clean off an apricot tree several weeks ago. We came home with nearly 8lbs of pygmy apricots, an excellent companion to the yogurt we produce.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpECdK2_VoAa8IdFLRbuQ8VZtfc-F1fyOdxtQY2Ew616Hx3-1fk5T7uU62QvkQ9IAM6nUNNJeS4v3vCfZwx4VVteyS2sZrALul0KSldBSYOiN2Z2DpheEE8bBwMluGnqKGx4FIAwkB9fi/s1600/P1020470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpECdK2_VoAa8IdFLRbuQ8VZtfc-F1fyOdxtQY2Ew616Hx3-1fk5T7uU62QvkQ9IAM6nUNNJeS4v3vCfZwx4VVteyS2sZrALul0KSldBSYOiN2Z2DpheEE8bBwMluGnqKGx4FIAwkB9fi/s640/P1020470.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More marigolds!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSogGqPzWzhw6cYrWl_b5BCjpDST3VPs_Yx3YduAvarPIKbnieaqVeXrqxOyUizH8nZiC69OOTocHY9JSgnYwBEFyViDQjelH7b479rAKKZep1pw7e5iiWQXd6EdxZfgRpp3WpoS3OzcBK/s1600/P1020472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSogGqPzWzhw6cYrWl_b5BCjpDST3VPs_Yx3YduAvarPIKbnieaqVeXrqxOyUizH8nZiC69OOTocHY9JSgnYwBEFyViDQjelH7b479rAKKZep1pw7e5iiWQXd6EdxZfgRpp3WpoS3OzcBK/s640/P1020472.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many emerging cukes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCj2J5Rmn1p89P8daoeXLFlsrxSuyipwebJsngKfo5IIEvF_TLzf4j17p7JJnqM3PCqDg1nJI-em7oJMutxIBuZ-VOUrNJSCbKFYnwOO9dNopdPfCP_LQGSwhMt8PeNqb4tnH4JfRmMVSa/s1600/P1020476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCj2J5Rmn1p89P8daoeXLFlsrxSuyipwebJsngKfo5IIEvF_TLzf4j17p7JJnqM3PCqDg1nJI-em7oJMutxIBuZ-VOUrNJSCbKFYnwOO9dNopdPfCP_LQGSwhMt8PeNqb4tnH4JfRmMVSa/s640/P1020476.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green heirlooms.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJNLP2PS52B7lANFIsnSsMj-O9HFeTJOEjn18Ib-d4SzoWFlfy-qiqImKiIX2uPF2Wxkw47XVZ-mnZ7ycxkEDFFjDa6Ril7SSeZ1dAFrU1DWFx7o1CygC1be3GOKXLAef0HFR1sAQok9-/s1600/P1020477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJNLP2PS52B7lANFIsnSsMj-O9HFeTJOEjn18Ib-d4SzoWFlfy-qiqImKiIX2uPF2Wxkw47XVZ-mnZ7ycxkEDFFjDa6Ril7SSeZ1dAFrU1DWFx7o1CygC1be3GOKXLAef0HFR1sAQok9-/s640/P1020477.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love our marigolds!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We can't wait to see what happens in our garden and the community over the coming months! I hope your summer is as fruitful--pun acknowledged--as ours!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>vadoom.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03332834397448934938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352948878103700044.post-56161469766434390802012-06-23T16:48:00.000-07:002012-06-27T12:27:54.618-07:00The ever prolific green.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been a while since we've written but a lot has happened since we last posted.<br />
<br />
The heat has been increasingly drying. We deep water nearly every day now. A boisterous rainstorm the other day flooded the yard with much needed moisture but smaller seedlings have dried up in just a few days absence of our watering routine. Only the thick-rooted, absorbent plants survive here.<br />
<br />
Weeding is more work than usual; they seem to be sprouting constantly. It keeps us busy maintaining the yard but we don't hesitate to visit the garden.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLflHBlnIlFQ-AcOTWbr7sVl6RRQNjqG1YTSNilZZ_T9Z9BJbzg3TqGbbmVV5kTPfH0d1BuiVusJHULTJ-SCJJaRoGfI8F-llD-cr_Xe6iQn4y3cOfwGi93SAM0G74-biDzVBcqDoCdfGK/s1600/P1020282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLflHBlnIlFQ-AcOTWbr7sVl6RRQNjqG1YTSNilZZ_T9Z9BJbzg3TqGbbmVV5kTPfH0d1BuiVusJHULTJ-SCJJaRoGfI8F-llD-cr_Xe6iQn4y3cOfwGi93SAM0G74-biDzVBcqDoCdfGK/s640/P1020282.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first salad harvest! Greens like mad, green onion and oregano.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_-1LYW-KXSMXNFx9uYgIUgpf1ofRfom0xLN4-B8xjQbOq5Pt0-HSBAV7nCUCRNewvG-ZyJ1Nxnlhyb8IP3yfnkV8XVaG5uw467CfSSUJ-wzR_JysrHHNaE1n6NoHhPdPI-jZiGoB0M-i/s1600/P1020323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_-1LYW-KXSMXNFx9uYgIUgpf1ofRfom0xLN4-B8xjQbOq5Pt0-HSBAV7nCUCRNewvG-ZyJ1Nxnlhyb8IP3yfnkV8XVaG5uw467CfSSUJ-wzR_JysrHHNaE1n6NoHhPdPI-jZiGoB0M-i/s640/P1020323.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The greens are quite prolific, despite the 3 hours or so of direct sunlight they receive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbX_nX1HQ-G9v-fFzmvJrBEy4uk-w1H6auS-MnQH9pam7qnKs-6MEZAEmCitBF9gw-DDyr4ntzZKgD_htRmA2LCWhS7vuyLE_9-uahdzvBBIGVTzi-wzKENAaKCOQsXZBXcwzBm5k_l12j/s1600/P1020329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbX_nX1HQ-G9v-fFzmvJrBEy4uk-w1H6auS-MnQH9pam7qnKs-6MEZAEmCitBF9gw-DDyr4ntzZKgD_htRmA2LCWhS7vuyLE_9-uahdzvBBIGVTzi-wzKENAaKCOQsXZBXcwzBm5k_l12j/s640/P1020329.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our productive cucumber plants.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsmxx22RegdRS1_J-MR8h05PI-wlsutGbcuPy14l6yLukAhbbM7xGVum8X852h7BdhK-ECDTrhU-FO1nqe89kS2klqV5ndvAvuYf0GCe14MqV6GDMXtUTjyiAcLa0f2VMUrNeAKE9ykny/s1600/P1020330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsmxx22RegdRS1_J-MR8h05PI-wlsutGbcuPy14l6yLukAhbbM7xGVum8X852h7BdhK-ECDTrhU-FO1nqe89kS2klqV5ndvAvuYf0GCe14MqV6GDMXtUTjyiAcLa0f2VMUrNeAKE9ykny/s640/P1020330.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cucumber flowers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLb0x8bUjn4iWtrEuX4N7VJwzWgjMRcH65MZCkYCeh8fPbZTOzft2AB2B9kCy-TN6VZn4DwvlA-im09iF_71QotEJzO-L-JI2LdIuwU0y_Vfo8b6y-8WgRbBhWOiGSv86HqmFa7PwTQnQ/s1600/P1020331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLb0x8bUjn4iWtrEuX4N7VJwzWgjMRcH65MZCkYCeh8fPbZTOzft2AB2B9kCy-TN6VZn4DwvlA-im09iF_71QotEJzO-L-JI2LdIuwU0y_Vfo8b6y-8WgRbBhWOiGSv86HqmFa7PwTQnQ/s640/P1020331.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salvia gregii, French dwarf marigolds, and possibly tomatillos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIA_pVHgiNqSFxUNb4TfybyAh03uCOCFibLe_OpLHbhVWus0IetmBTHiAwnX9Wkulf5Cy2LHqn0F8k7PFWGoC_AN7sQXIucKlYFtGXV5GYlTlVZcUHWTn5v3OKReBJBusZTdSDz83mG9Z/s1600/P1020334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIA_pVHgiNqSFxUNb4TfybyAh03uCOCFibLe_OpLHbhVWus0IetmBTHiAwnX9Wkulf5Cy2LHqn0F8k7PFWGoC_AN7sQXIucKlYFtGXV5GYlTlVZcUHWTn5v3OKReBJBusZTdSDz83mG9Z/s640/P1020334.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our cat prowling the roadrunner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIK4k_SoJACdMVtLk4dUVNGhReXW9PhyeqJi-MgsANWfz85j730mAXyu0eqozVpyph86P3nF3PHOIh2Ql1zQaW5Vae864yzDNLa4V4kbk2MaTSKm2BpOMYcTA2Fp89pqRkEWh7fQXMlIb/s1600/P1020337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIK4k_SoJACdMVtLk4dUVNGhReXW9PhyeqJi-MgsANWfz85j730mAXyu0eqozVpyph86P3nF3PHOIh2Ql1zQaW5Vae864yzDNLa4V4kbk2MaTSKm2BpOMYcTA2Fp89pqRkEWh7fQXMlIb/s640/P1020337.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S/He knows.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVO4qh12uS4WkV3x5MpBwkTVxMA55w8dnxwxh8iljiv64XiovJiLzw9-h4e_uFPk1UfonI-w8XHi5O6Ob4ugscDSAxsZzAz8-S3MZuxTPMljpHAxVwB11VG6wUamA2j5qxXlAhVFw6M5W/s1600/P1020339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVO4qh12uS4WkV3x5MpBwkTVxMA55w8dnxwxh8iljiv64XiovJiLzw9-h4e_uFPk1UfonI-w8XHi5O6Ob4ugscDSAxsZzAz8-S3MZuxTPMljpHAxVwB11VG6wUamA2j5qxXlAhVFw6M5W/s640/P1020339.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our flower garden sunflowers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatwmhfCy2TLL2maDkEKHWT3jtL42ajvfC2VrqvWACylxOEYzFNNkIy8ojAx_0AodIGUX_jZvid0k4MKasSYOHKDtipVpBbEAuApCQLIMCoHDNjfaug86S9R8aOw21uBowHiKQ0DwzClmk/s1600/P1020340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatwmhfCy2TLL2maDkEKHWT3jtL42ajvfC2VrqvWACylxOEYzFNNkIy8ojAx_0AodIGUX_jZvid0k4MKasSYOHKDtipVpBbEAuApCQLIMCoHDNjfaug86S9R8aOw21uBowHiKQ0DwzClmk/s640/P1020340.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We can't quite tell what these are but they're the first flowers to have opened this season.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFbd1RyxmEgvHZbCDy2GeGnHzrHx365PhmmIswuf4fuH-YguP-qg3a46dsf6uEKR5OBlzvqrxplZD6aumrXYbdZITVj7XVOpYj9DhrTEPJqEBovDnSbHDJf7uCG7ZPUKmA4EcEwQ9eRZ2/s1600/P1020341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFbd1RyxmEgvHZbCDy2GeGnHzrHx365PhmmIswuf4fuH-YguP-qg3a46dsf6uEKR5OBlzvqrxplZD6aumrXYbdZITVj7XVOpYj9DhrTEPJqEBovDnSbHDJf7uCG7ZPUKmA4EcEwQ9eRZ2/s640/P1020341.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jordan slowly soaking our squash and watermelon rows.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfUpEDIV8FN_FSJvVyJHhtCY9Lfgvf2D4OxkDYCFPuBocvd7bS6FCnV_uPrr3JGqHmWG-KlQeuTakgbc21fecDQqOwQnmjr8Mij-zT24dpPmoW8p3y0LZaepl1TzWVFwvHz3Iz9UfwVJj/s1600/P1020342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfUpEDIV8FN_FSJvVyJHhtCY9Lfgvf2D4OxkDYCFPuBocvd7bS6FCnV_uPrr3JGqHmWG-KlQeuTakgbc21fecDQqOwQnmjr8Mij-zT24dpPmoW8p3y0LZaepl1TzWVFwvHz3Iz9UfwVJj/s640/P1020342.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lazarus, the grape cutting we thought had died.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMx7tWQf6S5KQZLGX7UITXsWhg7yobsxudtu1c0G2VcQXIASn86Tcc-fnW1g45lkgRGm4XkgfQp2gMy3B8n1oOU0RQ9zB16ttdKFVV6OW80ZIg6Bvm4XO5TMbmWaxJaQ6nIdt_EDzkdCS/s1600/P1020358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMx7tWQf6S5KQZLGX7UITXsWhg7yobsxudtu1c0G2VcQXIASn86Tcc-fnW1g45lkgRGm4XkgfQp2gMy3B8n1oOU0RQ9zB16ttdKFVV6OW80ZIg6Bvm4XO5TMbmWaxJaQ6nIdt_EDzkdCS/s640/P1020358.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another soon-to-bloom sunflower.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh56nWIQtQ6Va2WeCz0azq56_tfMKBv384tTWZMmeCbu89zk49F6JKSEqocVwQZvq4NxvErs1xAGwr8UL_ZyGGeQYEimRc3cTkDii9tQOr_dyU5mX8yUKI3I-SY7H0GscsE315SskzTd6v/s1600/P1020406_stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh56nWIQtQ6Va2WeCz0azq56_tfMKBv384tTWZMmeCbu89zk49F6JKSEqocVwQZvq4NxvErs1xAGwr8UL_ZyGGeQYEimRc3cTkDii9tQOr_dyU5mX8yUKI3I-SY7H0GscsE315SskzTd6v/s1600/P1020406_stitch.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nightshades bed panorama.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>vadoom.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03332834397448934938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352948878103700044.post-91667123299763997622012-06-14T22:49:00.003-07:002012-06-14T22:49:39.874-07:00Free Plants Part Two: Cuttings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Propagation from <a href="http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8702.html" target="_blank">cuttings</a></span> <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is relatively simple, though we've had the lowest success rates with this method. We're becoming increasingly conscientious in our experiments, however, and have lots of hope for future success. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8f1EuFHWTlEQZtyDoB1CLEU2NxyctvhwF-KsISpmVpeH-jRIQKiNQhkRN7595F6pEaBrtqe9fp91Xz55CvhnINkX9MQyGE2fXhlRG6hIG_yWlLmmXck23WnWi-h97801E4NVE71r2s8/s1600/P1020270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8f1EuFHWTlEQZtyDoB1CLEU2NxyctvhwF-KsISpmVpeH-jRIQKiNQhkRN7595F6pEaBrtqe9fp91Xz55CvhnINkX9MQyGE2fXhlRG6hIG_yWlLmmXck23WnWi-h97801E4NVE71r2s8/s640/P1020270.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We collect cuttings from nearly any plant we're interested in growing, popping or cutting off a stem of new growth at the node. We take pieces of plants from nurseries and from yards. It's polite and ethical to ask the permission of the plant owner or retailer first. Big box nurseries like Home Depot tend not to be very proprietary over a stem or two. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's important to make a clean cut so as to not infect the rest of the plant. If the stem doesn't pop off easily, a sterile pocket knife can be used. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ideal size for a new cutting is 3-5". Avoid plants with flowers or buds because you want a cutting that will put its energy into root production rather than reproduction. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plant in a rich potting soil. We're using the same EcoScraps Organic Potting Mix that we hustle on weekends. It's good stuff.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To maintain higher humidity, we cover the cuttings with our free cloches: halved plastic milk cartons.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With consistent moisture, sunlight, and good soil, the cutting should start rooting quickly. To help the rooting process along, we use a free, natural rooting hormone that I'll write about soon.</span></div>jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01440972682422819957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352948878103700044.post-29400581419486317212012-06-01T15:38:00.003-07:002012-06-01T15:38:36.121-07:00Free Plants: Part One<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
We *try* to grow everything we can get our hands on. I'm going to write about our experiments over a series of posts, with each post focusing on a different method of propagation. First up, succulents!</div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Anytime I see a succulent display, I scour the shelves and ground for fallen leaves and scoop up anything that looks interesting. These little leaves would otherwise be swept up and dumped, so I have no qualms about taking them home and giving them a chance to become full-fledged plants. </div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Succulents are easy to propagate:</div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
1. They need to dry for a couple of days until they form a callus at the cutting. I leave mine in a bowl near a window.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7RAsUhP7KcMdY5LfmVFGx2kU-4X3hgndbtP0jYeccXI367z2I00siLbR7WUiIlrToi9kNWf_pTlm2kW1S7LoUBlDGXBaHnV5Ae7UsjZXXRIZ6nC6WfLp8BLVVkZO_V4_rKj4VOCeWCc/s1600/P1020222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7RAsUhP7KcMdY5LfmVFGx2kU-4X3hgndbtP0jYeccXI367z2I00siLbR7WUiIlrToi9kNWf_pTlm2kW1S7LoUBlDGXBaHnV5Ae7UsjZXXRIZ6nC6WfLp8BLVVkZO_V4_rKj4VOCeWCc/s640/P1020222.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collected cuttings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2. After the end's dried out, I prop the leaf or stem upright in a sandy soil. Right now, I use native soil from my yard. Succulent rearing is about the only thing this soil is good for on its own.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
3. Water regularly, especially as the plant establishes roots. Make sure that the drainage is excellent, as they don't like soggy soil.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_HG4_9g9KXrwK7nf6mC6s5scKlvt61TEBF0ChY00DmsEu4XIx2hHoeNAE49NcafJpKdzCd59ONRfaRIcP-sv_LuBWrKP-H9-7cOavCuWRcDAEK0XuOoem6EHlJJHZgVmaaG8yjK019E/s1600/P1020240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_HG4_9g9KXrwK7nf6mC6s5scKlvt61TEBF0ChY00DmsEu4XIx2hHoeNAE49NcafJpKdzCd59ONRfaRIcP-sv_LuBWrKP-H9-7cOavCuWRcDAEK0XuOoem6EHlJJHZgVmaaG8yjK019E/s640/P1020240.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting to root.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
4. Once the plant is established, you can water less frequently.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">5. Continue to take cuttings from the established plant and you have your own infinite source of free succulents. Succulents make terrific gifts!</span></div>jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01440972682422819957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352948878103700044.post-4791429921216543342012-06-01T15:04:00.000-07:002012-06-01T15:04:11.066-07:00Cider Update.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The first batch went smoothly, as hoped! It was drier than most bar ciders, cloudier, and had notes of light caramel before it went down, quite satisfyingly we might add! We shared a liter bottle of it with our friends over a game of the <a href="http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/13/the-settlers-of-catan" target="_blank">Settlers of Catan</a> and decided we'd be making more.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkx99uquwpC2A8knqqLXVVxGa9LLHQRSuvrO_Ard17Wta7NRvUDniTjxiprN1V6TezUA80sIEvbwXdleQab0E1aq4xIZFl0UOv-_JpWJ3_qoYbicKma_5IDnbDpA2EDJzPgA1uVA8n0hO/s1600/P1020215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkx99uquwpC2A8knqqLXVVxGa9LLHQRSuvrO_Ard17Wta7NRvUDniTjxiprN1V6TezUA80sIEvbwXdleQab0E1aq4xIZFl0UOv-_JpWJ3_qoYbicKma_5IDnbDpA2EDJzPgA1uVA8n0hO/s640/P1020215.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sandia foothills via Copper Road.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a quick hike out here with a meetup group, we swung over to Costco to pick up some kitchen staples. Costco has a not-from-concentrate, preservative-free apple juice for half the cost of the gallon from Sunflower though it comes in thin plastic, which I find unsuitable for pressurized brewing. With about a fifth of the cider left, we poured in most of the gallon of the Costco stuff. It's filtered and not Organic but the flavor is great and the cost is half so we're willing to experiment. Some of the first batch is sitting in the fridge, waiting to be enjoyed at a later month as we also see if aging is truly worth the time.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCNv-KRQm8-3goYG7OtuzVWDPOOsADt9-NpHeYRBGk20pRYt_CcnvpUvz_q9YUodQ4r4VbdFnB9rUe5aBUzZ4fGuSL6jgKBHG40Bjd5uJx4WI35g68kq0wKgBbRoVqfngPZGnCtSTz7Rf/s1600/P1020220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCNv-KRQm8-3goYG7OtuzVWDPOOsADt9-NpHeYRBGk20pRYt_CcnvpUvz_q9YUodQ4r4VbdFnB9rUe5aBUzZ4fGuSL6jgKBHG40Bjd5uJx4WI35g68kq0wKgBbRoVqfngPZGnCtSTz7Rf/s640/P1020220.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Batch number two.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Have any of you started brewing since our last post? What are your results like?<iframe bordercolor="#000000" class=" jhtymssdtdhykdjkrkwa" frameborder="0" height="250" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6627857.843;sz=300x250;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000028505128;pid=RGO1004;usg=AFHzDLvFNNXgauGNUBnTw8Y-y6JIja38vg;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.wayfair.com%252FRio-Grande-Games-Puerto-Rico-Board-Game-4098399-L1035-K%257ERGO1004.html;pubid=548109;price=%2440.99;title=%22Puerto+Rico+Board+Game%22;merc=Wayfair;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcommon1.csnimages.com%2Flf%2F49%2Fhash%2F5800%2F2060866%2F1%2F1.jpg;width=135;height=135" vspace="0" width="300"></iframe></div>vadoom.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03332834397448934938noreply@blogger.com0Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA35.0729762 -106.617341534.9690132 -106.77526999999999 35.1769392 -106.459413tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352948878103700044.post-37117116517998201992012-05-28T19:54:00.001-07:002012-06-01T15:04:53.762-07:00Hard apple cider.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I started homebrewing hard cider in 2011, when I lived in Tempe and wanted to make a cheap source of cider. My method hasn't improved significantly as I've just added an airlock to control flavors and prevent a gooey cleanup every day the cider bubbles over.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTrGvv_9zHm790toPyskB61lLC03VE_Eq1e05FyB5tKy0Z7Z0vfYcqfgJlRWIEPDhSniQn1biEXzK1oxLt-PcuL9CKgHTsxuJSDRvHf7pKwfDjyNesz-gWfWkwRbq6cV61oEiPhbBE_NC/s1600/P1020198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTrGvv_9zHm790toPyskB61lLC03VE_Eq1e05FyB5tKy0Z7Z0vfYcqfgJlRWIEPDhSniQn1biEXzK1oxLt-PcuL9CKgHTsxuJSDRvHf7pKwfDjyNesz-gWfWkwRbq6cV61oEiPhbBE_NC/s640/P1020198.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cider bubbling happily.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We started this batch two days ago and usually keep it going for a week. The organic, preservative-free cider we bought in the 1 gallon glass carboy sells for about $8 here in Albuquerque. Preservatives kill yeast and won't let the brew ferment properly. We picked up the airlock along with some Champagne yeast from my LHBS for $6. The airlock and yeast can be used indefinitely and it's such a low up-front cost that we felt like skimping really isn't worth it. The airlock beats the rubber balloon and hole method by a lot.<br />
<br />
We didn't add sugar or honey to this batch because we're looking to see what a week is like for the unadulterated juice. It's also been over six months since I've made a batch so we'll see what the flavor profile is like. Costco has a Sonoran honey jug for the cheapest price around so we may consider adding it if we feel like it's lacking enough tasting notes or alcohol. Though, living a mile up, we drink less because of the thinner air.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, here's our extremely simple and frugal method:<br />
<br />
Purchase:<br />
1 gal Organic Apple Juice/Cider without preservatives, preferably pasteurized <br />
1 packet of Champagne yeast (There are cider yeasts available also)<br />
1 airlock with rubber stopper (Bring the vessel in question so that a diameter can be matched)<br />
White vinegar<br />
<br />
1. Clean the airlock with a vinegar and water solution and allow to air dry.<br />
2. Pop open the glass jug and pitch the yeast. Our packet was intended for a 5 gal recipe so just put in less, in case something spoils the brew so you wouldn't have to buy yeast again.<br />
3. Insert the sterilized airlock and fill it with water.<br />
4. Wait! It took me anywhere from 4 days to several weeks to determine if my brew was ready. If you taste it, pour it out or use a sterilized baster. Every time you open it beyond the initial pitching, you allow bacteria to possibly infect and compete with the yeast. So, wait for the bubbles to slow significantly. The longer you wait, the fewer sugars that remain, unless you use maltodextrin or lactose which cannot be consumed by yeast, and the dryer the cider. YMMV, so if you feel like you have achieved the proper flavor, cold rack it!<br />
5. Drink up, sucker! If you leave some yeast sediment at the bottom, you may use it to create the next batch. If you age it, 3-12 months will suffice and give it a flavor nearer to white wine. Pour it off of the sediment into a sterilized jar such as one from a previous batch.<br />
<br />
There are countless additions to your brew, such as raisins, pectic enzymes, oak, bourbon, that you can mix in and many forums cite varied results. Your first batch and your last batch will never be the same using this method but the variety makes for entertaining experimentation. If you find that it tastes too much like hooch, age it. It will mellow out with time. But, we prefer nothing better than fresh cider with some friends!</div>vadoom.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03332834397448934938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352948878103700044.post-38036675307007115512012-05-28T18:34:00.000-07:002012-06-01T14:43:04.876-07:00Growing food.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As many people know, life gets in the way. But, Jordan and I have documented our gardening efforts on camera so even though we've neglected to post them, we do have some proof! We moved into a house with several priorities: wooden floors so the dog wouldn't shed into carpet, a large yard for gardening and letting the pooch run, and a decent neighborhood near the CBD of town. Amazingly, we found the perfect location within 24 hours of visiting Albuquerque. No thanks, Craigslist, though, as we used a copy of the <a href="http://www.alibi.com/">Alibi</a> we found at Tractor Brewing Co. our first night here. What follows are the episodes of gardening we've gotten involved in since we moved in. So, I relieve my monologue to these photographs:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC00I3Yls65AJVBBE9oW3rXJ5Km_pB83o6nKqFzJ23esyEliB_nKJr1NwZTk7O-DQiOLgk-nxXoMWdm81ZqmoWiQmCgqvWcJ84n-cVMebn8otqdo22eYPhscKwxxd2FdEMFwQSatQrQpbX/s1600/Albuquerque-20120318-00010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC00I3Yls65AJVBBE9oW3rXJ5Km_pB83o6nKqFzJ23esyEliB_nKJr1NwZTk7O-DQiOLgk-nxXoMWdm81ZqmoWiQmCgqvWcJ84n-cVMebn8otqdo22eYPhscKwxxd2FdEMFwQSatQrQpbX/s640/Albuquerque-20120318-00010.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We brought home an SUV-full of composted donkey manure from a rescue out here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhle96zCkQuD7ItNobIC6IpKjhbV5WKJxf8ATh349_yFhf8_j-2bXJ9LEqJ6bSxiaPJcjF7pcLT0DH46P2pkwlFgzQ3q0xp_s2zTJzDIzdt7OPKc5X8tfFtBXr1eqF0JWas7kEm9sXEm4eK/s1600/Albuquerque-20120322-00011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhle96zCkQuD7ItNobIC6IpKjhbV5WKJxf8ATh349_yFhf8_j-2bXJ9LEqJ6bSxiaPJcjF7pcLT0DH46P2pkwlFgzQ3q0xp_s2zTJzDIzdt7OPKc5X8tfFtBXr1eqF0JWas7kEm9sXEm4eK/s640/Albuquerque-20120322-00011.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hauling manure is tiring work!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNNkk9ibJc4WS_sg2atBNFS_IgM2RjDDxJvHgVXrvVbadmGWfezjLrm5MFNVfmU9P7rWVX7ZinuolAyMN91wOo71Xmi2zqlz731UlNPiND9DHOhqDThKA-lrzhSYoO6_Qa9151flQj6k1/s1600/P1020098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNNkk9ibJc4WS_sg2atBNFS_IgM2RjDDxJvHgVXrvVbadmGWfezjLrm5MFNVfmU9P7rWVX7ZinuolAyMN91wOo71Xmi2zqlz731UlNPiND9DHOhqDThKA-lrzhSYoO6_Qa9151flQj6k1/s640/P1020098.JPG" width="532" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greens and Radish bed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapLTzvlaM7c8XAn4jk6Z4c9EEnS_I5mQMvChOp97PaC43S_B4hbwH4-LiEXRQseJb1rDBqC_G3lJYSHsEdQSi1SDZYuj3n6fdyYd57xBciJafXHZrB2qb2zjfvHuW4AjnbUuNB_WBeRxG/s1600/P1020099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapLTzvlaM7c8XAn4jk6Z4c9EEnS_I5mQMvChOp97PaC43S_B4hbwH4-LiEXRQseJb1rDBqC_G3lJYSHsEdQSi1SDZYuj3n6fdyYd57xBciJafXHZrB2qb2zjfvHuW4AjnbUuNB_WBeRxG/s640/P1020099.JPG" width="452" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese Mustard Greens and the temporary compost heap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdAkuRPAUvnIq6r0CPT40PYpienhRRNf2sLIJsSFEp8KgOO-aH5eb-HJcSxtt398ZQrR_CgsBN3UuL8Yz5H4x2UF2SOj5lJIzHWvy6oozeLW4j8kM-kfFiyJokXv5t1wXN3Sz2XpaAB36/s1600/P1020100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdAkuRPAUvnIq6r0CPT40PYpienhRRNf2sLIJsSFEp8KgOO-aH5eb-HJcSxtt398ZQrR_CgsBN3UuL8Yz5H4x2UF2SOj5lJIzHWvy6oozeLW4j8kM-kfFiyJokXv5t1wXN3Sz2XpaAB36/s640/P1020100.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An overview of the backyard with our nightshades and cucumber beds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIohtUXjDi62Ehx4JC27NbLuPzNrDXxi9x17mhJcG0LHK6gj0U6Fi7ESoclDkj0Keu0Pgf7uJq2QkQJP7dzJ2aoCxAypAx3DKuWiE-HMl_zH7hbcEjmPqTo5Hs9BKmnEVzkyHRSG_V6vl/s1600/P1020102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIohtUXjDi62Ehx4JC27NbLuPzNrDXxi9x17mhJcG0LHK6gj0U6Fi7ESoclDkj0Keu0Pgf7uJq2QkQJP7dzJ2aoCxAypAx3DKuWiE-HMl_zH7hbcEjmPqTo5Hs9BKmnEVzkyHRSG_V6vl/s640/P1020102.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original garden layout, now modified from seeds acquired.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-SmBSqqSq1YJLWXHJWtE8Edq5eB3J1_qfV6Q5vO-CSndvsAY-tqE4KdipPuWFZojGpl1tn59sHCQFl1EovigfTjsWA0V2TO2GCsAPuW_7ZUSjs62Vi37P7flXFIWHoRUEojnws8h_pAgf/s1600/P1020103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-SmBSqqSq1YJLWXHJWtE8Edq5eB3J1_qfV6Q5vO-CSndvsAY-tqE4KdipPuWFZojGpl1tn59sHCQFl1EovigfTjsWA0V2TO2GCsAPuW_7ZUSjs62Vi37P7flXFIWHoRUEojnws8h_pAgf/s640/P1020103.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree planting hole with a mound of steer manure for some nutrients.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRAliF_Gv3QQh1BeEo4DEc-KGD6UB25siS6WkPc6Dv_xIu3ciH95tyd4S_TqI8bTtWRdYcnjlt83gU8ikjewChgdHsmP8xW2UoJZyfXmFlzggFeYpR4B7qokd8KJI5t2kPjHyb1BKfIvq/s1600/Albuquerque-20120419-00021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRAliF_Gv3QQh1BeEo4DEc-KGD6UB25siS6WkPc6Dv_xIu3ciH95tyd4S_TqI8bTtWRdYcnjlt83gU8ikjewChgdHsmP8xW2UoJZyfXmFlzggFeYpR4B7qokd8KJI5t2kPjHyb1BKfIvq/s640/Albuquerque-20120419-00021.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We planted lentils to fix nitrogen into our cucumber bed. Later, we'd till them in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49AFDozmQZ898INH76lU_cvVlJWSavWyr_o91Ihw3MYBS29z_K_2J7DGlad4228Zg94gkwdTSaoogdmDs5NBJUcXV04VoHSsoX68thqhdqA5gEYUUKGxH5cfF0SKHTE-3Zw2ir1OC48sx/s1600/P1020106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49AFDozmQZ898INH76lU_cvVlJWSavWyr_o91Ihw3MYBS29z_K_2J7DGlad4228Zg94gkwdTSaoogdmDs5NBJUcXV04VoHSsoX68thqhdqA5gEYUUKGxH5cfF0SKHTE-3Zw2ir1OC48sx/s640/P1020106.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fruit trees are all planted. Santa Rosa plum, Moorpark apricot, and Redhaven peach are varieties sold here that we found could survive the frosts of ABQ.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsQLyJaCEJA-iWyaTmDxjk1XHNSkf9nGLmhDfW_9sIGN_MgqT3vlr6WoxIwnFDzB8QLjP9ZaYzLEpXuSXa8IwZVCJ4UbL1l5ANuCuREft_U2Ikx3oYfbzPcmJ6k8D838kjhPx-GxHTkJt/s1600/Albuquerque-20120419-00018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsQLyJaCEJA-iWyaTmDxjk1XHNSkf9nGLmhDfW_9sIGN_MgqT3vlr6WoxIwnFDzB8QLjP9ZaYzLEpXuSXa8IwZVCJ4UbL1l5ANuCuREft_U2Ikx3oYfbzPcmJ6k8D838kjhPx-GxHTkJt/s640/Albuquerque-20120419-00018.jpg" width="640" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The indoor seedlings we raised including heirloom tomatoes, watermelon, and toy peppers.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHXDwWCrWt5KjGzAQead3OMhoCQ-QRQR6THXAwwj2ze_3bGpRSG0Ujb-qycGaBp6YiwQfrTY5SBb-y6dlPZLTknh2WMfZJqpGnVHbSiF1NKCYs7iyyxdX71zIOS4MAGQSw5VOgGf-OQYj/s1600/Albuquerque-20120419-00022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHXDwWCrWt5KjGzAQead3OMhoCQ-QRQR6THXAwwj2ze_3bGpRSG0Ujb-qycGaBp6YiwQfrTY5SBb-y6dlPZLTknh2WMfZJqpGnVHbSiF1NKCYs7iyyxdX71zIOS4MAGQSw5VOgGf-OQYj/s640/Albuquerque-20120419-00022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yucca in bloom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7oizNlym1WT0_Z8Cg6ESDJZuP344pA2pEtNpuPyGHInJ-Mm_SUnj3hzU2JVCoCmDIXo8RDidX-ezK51iJJxPnEWap7MVpuOYK-5Mv7LeM4doANSuNxrjruMr2NB6Rfgl0nv_R3Lyg_bz/s1600/P1020151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7oizNlym1WT0_Z8Cg6ESDJZuP344pA2pEtNpuPyGHInJ-Mm_SUnj3hzU2JVCoCmDIXo8RDidX-ezK51iJJxPnEWap7MVpuOYK-5Mv7LeM4doANSuNxrjruMr2NB6Rfgl0nv_R3Lyg_bz/s640/P1020151.JPG" title="" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front yard bed with rescued herbs and squash/melon mounds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX39o1CbhHzVlFSkUpDD60WGnAJEwaINwnOjW-DbBHyhYWsEugHYMOHWrGhlKjKc2gkwtNxkBmHcbKwCkx3EU7f8JY-CswaWUXlyv3jl_9v2AM5hEj2hGNL8zmubV5jOz90HAsx81CbW17/s1600/P1020152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX39o1CbhHzVlFSkUpDD60WGnAJEwaINwnOjW-DbBHyhYWsEugHYMOHWrGhlKjKc2gkwtNxkBmHcbKwCkx3EU7f8JY-CswaWUXlyv3jl_9v2AM5hEj2hGNL8zmubV5jOz90HAsx81CbW17/s640/P1020152.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our happily thriving flower bed out front. It's a bunch of dollar store flower mixes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4j1WNmInTgAFCg3gIspFuP0j3ZHv3hzRZrzJe-atxzSPIsGhBaSXPFz92yel98D9AlJuijO5SsgA359C4f35Atb7V9iDAw2CqAeX716dXb2Gs3M_WJNeCliV3-VveCktvbxUDzc9P82oZ/s1600/P1020153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4j1WNmInTgAFCg3gIspFuP0j3ZHv3hzRZrzJe-atxzSPIsGhBaSXPFz92yel98D9AlJuijO5SsgA359C4f35Atb7V9iDAw2CqAeX716dXb2Gs3M_WJNeCliV3-VveCktvbxUDzc9P82oZ/s640/P1020153.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A transplanted Italian Heather.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzJgvzHcjXLva5P41GGnn3zarxLCy5OzoT9VKwAXaXbBahgtA6R6wjRyErdzJzvqx9lDOjYFxsX2bR5qzA0pXDwPpZIF2jwF8eFTeeOF76w6Enw1anmbMOq9Z-dyD3_X4VXeUwi34Su73/s1600/P1020155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzJgvzHcjXLva5P41GGnn3zarxLCy5OzoT9VKwAXaXbBahgtA6R6wjRyErdzJzvqx9lDOjYFxsX2bR5qzA0pXDwPpZIF2jwF8eFTeeOF76w6Enw1anmbMOq9Z-dyD3_X4VXeUwi34Su73/s640/P1020155.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cyan Morning Glory stretching out its grasping arm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3IeKttTemwCKNc8FaERRxqN81IxtP8WSz84b9as4L933ZvynxJtSdsDXXCFrRgWtp5GoVmSBWPup7gthGj7HCwXwEdC-G8h6N6Y4KjRarSzr0vXFCoXGnVAAkzXYjH5E8w5oZM7YUXt_/s1600/P1020156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3IeKttTemwCKNc8FaERRxqN81IxtP8WSz84b9as4L933ZvynxJtSdsDXXCFrRgWtp5GoVmSBWPup7gthGj7HCwXwEdC-G8h6N6Y4KjRarSzr0vXFCoXGnVAAkzXYjH5E8w5oZM7YUXt_/s640/P1020156.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pots left over from the rescued herbs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwQk_Agev4mXv0cabOPgME3b6YsuDgJ_0lM2ts8Wjvj210NSHnO5ZCvbxQeVtEsAQ4G7oGaE8lPh7opi1tffEzo52mcUJovZev8W7r4hIPOb_tkQeCE6gBN8d8Q5JDiGaKs_8BwiEUTAL/s1600/P1020157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwQk_Agev4mXv0cabOPgME3b6YsuDgJ_0lM2ts8Wjvj210NSHnO5ZCvbxQeVtEsAQ4G7oGaE8lPh7opi1tffEzo52mcUJovZev8W7r4hIPOb_tkQeCE6gBN8d8Q5JDiGaKs_8BwiEUTAL/s640/P1020157.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mustard greens emerging.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24O23ZiNy0gK2Z08fS2PVPRBx0Skou_kpGlexicj2C3iqKxxm-wHpIrWFbtkafN6LM8yftzQmgDAREs5n-8iYaaZVNDvgEcXdLJDwpU352-TmgJNFlnsUp0dL4GIVTIjLzE0EagkzLTRh/s1600/P1020159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24O23ZiNy0gK2Z08fS2PVPRBx0Skou_kpGlexicj2C3iqKxxm-wHpIrWFbtkafN6LM8yftzQmgDAREs5n-8iYaaZVNDvgEcXdLJDwpU352-TmgJNFlnsUp0dL4GIVTIjLzE0EagkzLTRh/s640/P1020159.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Succulents we're trying to root.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJPF_tuq1tfujNW-51QJXyMJYpBuJNjYLoXtGFY1GmLUuSAwmdCd-bK2OMGfNFv0R4xFrznFVwvN-H44blYCcX1noLQGZzIZgLHeiQQAW_ffSIP9o37-6b1c2Js9tmCzt_2qWXj6_Rolw/s1600/P1020162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJPF_tuq1tfujNW-51QJXyMJYpBuJNjYLoXtGFY1GmLUuSAwmdCd-bK2OMGfNFv0R4xFrznFVwvN-H44blYCcX1noLQGZzIZgLHeiQQAW_ffSIP9o37-6b1c2Js9tmCzt_2qWXj6_Rolw/s640/P1020162.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our greens bed thriving! Buttercrunch, slow-bolting Spinach and French Dwarf Marigolds galore.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gtH_3wuve-YAUhZmhYobay-b7KjmvN89pI7EZ29E27pXYEy6VE-f6ht4d8vkc4ADLL_DrbjQc7JDY8GypFD_Gk-WDETjST12QdlEQL3gUyy3lzcYuAm4p_JB_XFoopTJQMQA92hFCBI9/s1600/P1020163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gtH_3wuve-YAUhZmhYobay-b7KjmvN89pI7EZ29E27pXYEy6VE-f6ht4d8vkc4ADLL_DrbjQc7JDY8GypFD_Gk-WDETjST12QdlEQL3gUyy3lzcYuAm4p_JB_XFoopTJQMQA92hFCBI9/s640/P1020163.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Salvia gregii was a disgusting motley of dead branches when we moved in. I pruned it and noticed some of the branches were still green inside. We left for a camping trip and came back to see these gorgeous blooms from what was assumed to be a dead plant! Identification took a few weeks of visiting Home Depots.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1LkkiH1QlIDW5jbPTxVt-_phHbFRLhHP1HtrVmxiY5jYKol19YNUkCXcacVMWxn9CiNzU67drema0Mc8Qblgk07iqKQoVbsfqRjuumcKcD34rSI9zNQe4WDcnzYlg_llDRPc5TY0OI4K/s1600/P1020164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1LkkiH1QlIDW5jbPTxVt-_phHbFRLhHP1HtrVmxiY5jYKol19YNUkCXcacVMWxn9CiNzU67drema0Mc8Qblgk07iqKQoVbsfqRjuumcKcD34rSI9zNQe4WDcnzYlg_llDRPc5TY0OI4K/s640/P1020164.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French Marigolds doing quite well. They repel certain insects from our beets and radishes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiQnRo8d8sQWKEl66P_rZa3SWwrcsPw-IEhE-EQXzn0v83NP4Lvnu3RNcpie7dN8g5MPRPoJ9xZjPzeShyH8U4snNpPyOH0TR-dbHj5KSjRbR3AeSsdnkW0pFm6glMTPT7gLnn0Jh52wT/s1600/P1020165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiQnRo8d8sQWKEl66P_rZa3SWwrcsPw-IEhE-EQXzn0v83NP4Lvnu3RNcpie7dN8g5MPRPoJ9xZjPzeShyH8U4snNpPyOH0TR-dbHj5KSjRbR3AeSsdnkW0pFm6glMTPT7gLnn0Jh52wT/s640/P1020165.JPG" width="526" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Peas climbing quite gloriously on an existing chicken wire trellis.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFP9WWsRFD4cZGQQy47MUHULarqAzsu52wNvP7aZj-FReUY49RMjWX3FQ58m382nh5pcitUmuEL6nYQ2BHay9vXqgqavsmIbHEGrYDwEScfuL-Kc_CfRPd_qE4ExFn3FiIyetGzDqye6lJ/s1600/P1020166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFP9WWsRFD4cZGQQy47MUHULarqAzsu52wNvP7aZj-FReUY49RMjWX3FQ58m382nh5pcitUmuEL6nYQ2BHay9vXqgqavsmIbHEGrYDwEScfuL-Kc_CfRPd_qE4ExFn3FiIyetGzDqye6lJ/s640/P1020166.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very satisfied Cherry Bell radish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC42LCCrStB1UN5029GkT3jVHS2UpijWCi8LU31FgqxSTIWK0Y5cAsr37nAzgnZk-s9vArumQHlf9kfP3sy9Xbfgek9EoJN-o5cg8I4kNBK3e6K9PqbOEfDxLYaBFx9wST7GjYP1ikJNrf/s1600/P1020167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC42LCCrStB1UN5029GkT3jVHS2UpijWCi8LU31FgqxSTIWK0Y5cAsr37nAzgnZk-s9vArumQHlf9kfP3sy9Xbfgek9EoJN-o5cg8I4kNBK3e6K9PqbOEfDxLYaBFx9wST7GjYP1ikJNrf/s640/P1020167.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our potato barrel experiment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnVDxUGJfJVqEVXe4q66Y1SBexhKSEplQTGBvC7olNTSNfX2-t8VFWzq5ERzlWqzpVyETNptomIlcVXROUKdwtkXXLzaBuipbzQpr3adAajqgrz1szoHtE7gWRQOvnrc_WOpNFcsnjAWG/s1600/P1020168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnVDxUGJfJVqEVXe4q66Y1SBexhKSEplQTGBvC7olNTSNfX2-t8VFWzq5ERzlWqzpVyETNptomIlcVXROUKdwtkXXLzaBuipbzQpr3adAajqgrz1szoHtE7gWRQOvnrc_WOpNFcsnjAWG/s640/P1020168.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheap source of cloches.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJe3rqy8fB0TgVPse9EANkE-M-HOPh-95qfZzpCKW-IoI-gkZ34C4jCmSlbR4NqC4JuVbjskBusUC37bCVU3NLgOGHPGln3EOvEDN-mKBd2uRb7kAs3GF_fRsX9GLoEyRhyKH9P8xg69uN/s1600/P1020170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJe3rqy8fB0TgVPse9EANkE-M-HOPh-95qfZzpCKW-IoI-gkZ34C4jCmSlbR4NqC4JuVbjskBusUC37bCVU3NLgOGHPGln3EOvEDN-mKBd2uRb7kAs3GF_fRsX9GLoEyRhyKH9P8xg69uN/s640/P1020170.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Compost, from an earlier container (left) to one Jordan built (right).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9zLqXn0uOsk4d4bZDx1XjMx4uhqy3Wx3cCTuULfN0tZdNQGom2AzB_LmePDG8VX1vKZhso-ZKtEtbJH7x_OEViBMZeJIB9iE5g5drseau-XGfF8NwgdzmH5F2ZxhyUCbtz26bAlrlHKe/s1600/P1020171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9zLqXn0uOsk4d4bZDx1XjMx4uhqy3Wx3cCTuULfN0tZdNQGom2AzB_LmePDG8VX1vKZhso-ZKtEtbJH7x_OEViBMZeJIB9iE5g5drseau-XGfF8NwgdzmH5F2ZxhyUCbtz26bAlrlHKe/s640/P1020171.JPG" width="490" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simply planting the bottoms of green onion bunches gives you healthy plants later.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4n_iclKiTIaoIUlVhWHQ_F39AG-f9QqdpG0ubkunj5MLTGrTtbHEk6CPE9cID7JwCUcGYal7iq4I8ce9gganu7nu1AIT77vR76Ohz6JWDNBe87i-2TQC_DFK4Pog7YRLGSTnlhEeihmM/s1600/P1020172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4n_iclKiTIaoIUlVhWHQ_F39AG-f9QqdpG0ubkunj5MLTGrTtbHEk6CPE9cID7JwCUcGYal7iq4I8ce9gganu7nu1AIT77vR76Ohz6JWDNBe87i-2TQC_DFK4Pog7YRLGSTnlhEeihmM/s640/P1020172.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sprouting Tomatillos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HvRPk9Rg6Zp0wjB3x9tR_UZMyJ0_jfo8vV2qid3rg-em6YAYjCeVhRj8puytT2JaZDy3rYSTNTJtGXDDbqUbPHAvCGMqACH6bPOt5qcVTqHrDl7_XRImjwrmjq8rRkSzkND96NzIZwld/s1600/P1020173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HvRPk9Rg6Zp0wjB3x9tR_UZMyJ0_jfo8vV2qid3rg-em6YAYjCeVhRj8puytT2JaZDy3rYSTNTJtGXDDbqUbPHAvCGMqACH6bPOt5qcVTqHrDl7_XRImjwrmjq8rRkSzkND96NzIZwld/s640/P1020173.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sole surviving transplant from our starter seedlings. We lost nearly two dozen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy53qbcJ-96aYKQ004u7M9zt5dPeLfaJ89Z25-yyK5SgJmlxsstbj6H0oo-DFi_XAM12rwW4XjBr5B9dqE47zJlNR4IGOtuQk4Q-iiSDYuLfobhJOAUKWlON1fJKeSAoszIZ03Gzy-c9lT/s1600/P1020174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy53qbcJ-96aYKQ004u7M9zt5dPeLfaJ89Z25-yyK5SgJmlxsstbj6H0oo-DFi_XAM12rwW4XjBr5B9dqE47zJlNR4IGOtuQk4Q-iiSDYuLfobhJOAUKWlON1fJKeSAoszIZ03Gzy-c9lT/s640/P1020174.JPG" width="466" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sole leafing fruit tree we planted. Apricot, I think.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vesx_11K2kpQAer71NdPLUx85xwj5Iyh-rapCFj-iHl_1EFkuHBq52wXE_IN4rUbk_CM6mFp-9I3Eq7BbzGunJSeITqueR23M2TdeyfNpEsqeQwJ1eJ8ZjhJWpGF3jepfQm_ms3_3sD2/s1600/P1020175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vesx_11K2kpQAer71NdPLUx85xwj5Iyh-rapCFj-iHl_1EFkuHBq52wXE_IN4rUbk_CM6mFp-9I3Eq7BbzGunJSeITqueR23M2TdeyfNpEsqeQwJ1eJ8ZjhJWpGF3jepfQm_ms3_3sD2/s640/P1020175.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cucumbers emerging their true leaves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHPUP_GbN8yH3YiP7dBU0JOfHxk-WI8JKXGZW2nG6tANnboVpkWITjpI3RfL7F08hLWMmNiFN_CqFo-KJ5aAXiCWFiICz_vBjFPGNx2C_JIxjt77rI9_oZWjrScBvPp85ULckvBcGXcHD/s1600/P1020178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHPUP_GbN8yH3YiP7dBU0JOfHxk-WI8JKXGZW2nG6tANnboVpkWITjpI3RfL7F08hLWMmNiFN_CqFo-KJ5aAXiCWFiICz_vBjFPGNx2C_JIxjt77rI9_oZWjrScBvPp85ULckvBcGXcHD/s640/P1020178.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The peas are yielding!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL51Hy5-SyMW4DRBz4P4L0ATX3BiEhctc0KbndclnWGlqantubpV-VjDsnYu4ieFqYDsGiUS0lVhIIwqESZGxksq6koysp4B7-syeBJeFLQg5rF2rwC1qWZL3rwAD4DrlG0KCwPf38VsFE/s1600/P1020180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL51Hy5-SyMW4DRBz4P4L0ATX3BiEhctc0KbndclnWGlqantubpV-VjDsnYu4ieFqYDsGiUS0lVhIIwqESZGxksq6koysp4B7-syeBJeFLQg5rF2rwC1qWZL3rwAD4DrlG0KCwPf38VsFE/s640/P1020180.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A transplanted celery bottom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPa9VWv91TZwYe_VZox9F1mJFZSDnDcHHeNwvvUcZ-kFaLnURoTp62_GAV3W4qsoUhi69gyCzNTb3FuYVmtKDWXOpclLm9eB_B_2heQ_hcq_q2JD0s0kg35cWDua_jZnmL8k9j0wtet1x/s1600/P1020197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPa9VWv91TZwYe_VZox9F1mJFZSDnDcHHeNwvvUcZ-kFaLnURoTp62_GAV3W4qsoUhi69gyCzNTb3FuYVmtKDWXOpclLm9eB_B_2heQ_hcq_q2JD0s0kg35cWDua_jZnmL8k9j0wtet1x/s640/P1020197.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The celery bottom is doing quite well! Easier than waiting for seeds, certainly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I wanted to mention that we've done quite a bit of work to make some decent soil over the caliche present out here. Caliche retains salt and makes drainage very difficult. Luckily, we found plenty of opportunity to amend the soil. For one, we threw in shit tons (pardon the pun) of composted manure. We also put down cardboard boxes from when we moved in as a weed barrier and moisture retainer and they've broken down since from regular watering. We found an alley with rotting logs that we threw in for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugelkultur#H.C3.BCgelkultur">hugelkultur</a>. We also found tons of chipped mulch sitting in an empty lot that we filled the car with, much like the manure; it had glass shards and cigarette butts that we picked out. I'm fine with that as it cost us nothing but time and a bit of gas. Lastly, we picked up ripped bags of various soils from Home Depot for a huge discount. It makes up the majority of our front bed.<br />
<br />
Overall, we've spent little on our gardening, and growing from seeds is simply the more economical choice. We plan on letting successful plants go to seed so we can collect and store them. This is yet another reason why buying hybrid seedlings is unsustainable for the gardener. Plenty of decent seed catalogs exist (even eBay is a good choice), just googling some reviews is sufficient. We found that craigslist is a great source for free materials like wood and cinder for edging, manure, and even the occasional chicken wire or bamboo stakes for trellising. Driving through your alleys reveals much more than trash; it gives you an opportunity to make your garden flourish!<br />
<br />
Do you have questions, suggestions, whine or wine to offer? We'd love to hear from you! </div>vadoom.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03332834397448934938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352948878103700044.post-98979522761033632012-05-18T10:02:00.001-07:002012-06-01T14:47:04.994-07:00First Radish<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And it's a beast!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOGYsXzqXpY_WZFeZl6fcX2H15jtDfKjyRIVSbCmxbkh_Sx949WbduxQLv6oCPwO9Supf0c8vCFGorJu-o-Kxrm1JX9d3eAfA3UQOSCkyvck1eYgxpYQzs00wqM35aZtOdPjNQeGJtIA/s1600/IMG_20120518_105315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOGYsXzqXpY_WZFeZl6fcX2H15jtDfKjyRIVSbCmxbkh_Sx949WbduxQLv6oCPwO9Supf0c8vCFGorJu-o-Kxrm1JX9d3eAfA3UQOSCkyvck1eYgxpYQzs00wqM35aZtOdPjNQeGJtIA/s640/IMG_20120518_105315.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01440972682422819957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352948878103700044.post-49838333256053488812012-05-17T17:50:00.002-07:002012-06-01T14:48:12.717-07:00Making Yogurt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Making yogurt is stupid easy and cheap. You need milk and yogurt. Costco sells two gallons of full fat milk for about $5. I picked up a container of organic yogurt for less than a buck. You only need to buy the yogurt once, so opt for a variety with as many active cultures as possible. I found one with eight. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The process: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Heat up your milk to 160</span><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">° </b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">F<b>, </b>or just until it's about to boil. I use a meat thermometer to measure the temperature.</span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Once the milk is hot enough, turn off the stove and let the milk cool to about 110</span><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">°</b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">. It'll take a while. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. Add a tablespoon or so of your yogurt and mix it in.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. Now you have to maintain this temperature, which is kind of tough. We have a gas oven with a pilot light, so it's always warm. Putting the lid on the pot and closing the oven door is enough for me. You might need to wrap the pot in a blanket for added insulation.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">5. Keep your soon-to-be yogurt at 110° for 6-8 hours. The longer you let it sit, the more sour it will become. </span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
6. And boom, you've got gallons of yogurt. Save some of your yogurt to use as a culture in the next batc<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">h. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
If you mess up and don't end up with yogurt, just squeeze a lemon into your milk mixture and stir until curds form. Drain off the liquid (or save it, I like whey) and you're left with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farmer%27s_cheese" target="_blank">farmer's cheese</a>, essentially Indian paneer.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To make Greek yogurt, drain your yogurt through cheese cloth. I like to keep my yogurt relatively thin so it's drinkable. My favorite is to mix it with salt and ground cumin for a savory <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lassi" target="_blank">lassi</a>. </span><b><br /></b></div>jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01440972682422819957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352948878103700044.post-84574295051680685882012-05-17T17:06:00.002-07:002012-06-01T14:48:24.621-07:00Restoring Cast Iron<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cast_iron" target="_blank">Cast iron</a> lasts lifetimes and is readily available for next to nothing at thrift stores, or you can find it new for less than you'd spend on a non-stick that'd only last, if you're careful, for about a decade</span>.<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> We found an ugly, rusted, abused pan at a thrift store for a few bucks and decided to restore it. The process was a bit time-consuming and smoky, but we can now fry eggs and sear meat, which was impossible in the cast iron enamel cookware I'd brought with me. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How to do it:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Scrub the cast iron with steel wool</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Coat it with fat (we used leftover bacon fat)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. Stick it in the oven on broil and let it heat up until it's smoking (open your windows and be prepared for everything to smell like bacon grease for a week)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. Take out the pan and let it cool</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 5. Repeat steps 2-4 until the cast iron has a silky black patina and is smooth, i.e., not sticky, to the touch</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To clean, you just rinse and scrub without soap. Stick the pan on a hot stove to evaporate any excess liquid. Periodically rub it down with oil.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSceTeO6MYO4vCih-V0dxTnj-qbCrVpdP9HlQLfYBbLv4gDVGKfG68NY_O73LNj64_-qleYHUimsaNy8CPCSb3D-u04zjK7nlAx5Ws9TkI_S9gcz05tjMqzMpCRq_2kvMPEBjhisdtbs/s1600/IMG_20120517_161757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSceTeO6MYO4vCih-V0dxTnj-qbCrVpdP9HlQLfYBbLv4gDVGKfG68NY_O73LNj64_-qleYHUimsaNy8CPCSb3D-u04zjK7nlAx5Ws9TkI_S9gcz05tjMqzMpCRq_2kvMPEBjhisdtbs/s640/IMG_20120517_161757.jpg" width="618" /></a></div>
</div>jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01440972682422819957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8352948878103700044.post-3808651576866912652012-05-17T16:38:00.001-07:002012-06-01T14:47:33.848-07:00Free Furniture!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
We relocated to Albuquerque with a carload each and a firm commitment to not plowing through our savings. We hauled kitchen equipment, clothes, spices, seeds, and critters. Everything else was scrounged or bargain hunted. Check out some of our finds:</div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnr7NcfhpgTmFER18vyij-7UYJWMAgvgcVmjNipuljvS4Iu5wAtk6TmnoYF2zEX_pfm2BBSBt7OahHmaPyOkkWT0_8aUObcT9V3SK6dVAlzeMJkXyqB2fzBeytvLhsoIVKaL7m5Z-ZmM/s1600/IMG_20120517_155648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnr7NcfhpgTmFER18vyij-7UYJWMAgvgcVmjNipuljvS4Iu5wAtk6TmnoYF2zEX_pfm2BBSBt7OahHmaPyOkkWT0_8aUObcT9V3SK6dVAlzeMJkXyqB2fzBeytvLhsoIVKaL7m5Z-ZmM/s640/IMG_20120517_155648.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cat couch. We were driving through the neighborhood just as the previous owner was placing it on the curb. He also gave us a working printer, which we're using to print shipping labels for Ebay.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUH0wsxtXf8fKfXDB4p36eFJxWm5S3e0ZrIpNgJ574KBEgb9hloTPJfJ1dq1kuVv0Vob2vQjPQQ7WQH1Xxm4P_QoEB37rrnpzCGDLlUeUe9Ox8PsazxSnCvEqWVo90JZK1V1g4TgdLHA/s1600/IMG_20120517_160151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUH0wsxtXf8fKfXDB4p36eFJxWm5S3e0ZrIpNgJ574KBEgb9hloTPJfJ1dq1kuVv0Vob2vQjPQQ7WQH1Xxm4P_QoEB37rrnpzCGDLlUeUe9Ox8PsazxSnCvEqWVo90JZK1V1g4TgdLHA/s640/IMG_20120517_160151.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found this fan on the curb while walking Margaux two nights ago. There's nothing wrong with it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeDYUOF0eluCTf-ydNDzjBq9cD1Wqyq0XHy2zBCynrGfljo7FXiY1iIC8eRnLdZo3mYQ-cso6nygK3Zgf_m6INSbixeffQ3hA_5yXQs-E_DlmTMojljP8FtoEGt9BzumIKorNoDwNwvc/s1600/IMG_20120517_160309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeDYUOF0eluCTf-ydNDzjBq9cD1Wqyq0XHy2zBCynrGfljo7FXiY1iIC8eRnLdZo3mYQ-cso6nygK3Zgf_m6INSbixeffQ3hA_5yXQs-E_DlmTMojljP8FtoEGt9BzumIKorNoDwNwvc/s640/IMG_20120517_160309.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The TV's an alley find for Vadim's video game console. The flower's are Mother's Day leftovers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHdzC16nCT0Uq1X9_EUwyQZLsxouz384GT185f6UY0Pqn3k9-_SKsnJmA1VN8gWnCYc48OoJnIDlFLPLvVd9EXe955F_B08edGvlx2vJTGt4gOB-3zDCJ-UioJrNYK6nw7cJl96CSUSA/s1600/IMG_20120517_161507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHdzC16nCT0Uq1X9_EUwyQZLsxouz384GT185f6UY0Pqn3k9-_SKsnJmA1VN8gWnCYc48OoJnIDlFLPLvVd9EXe955F_B08edGvlx2vJTGt4gOB-3zDCJ-UioJrNYK6nw7cJl96CSUSA/s640/IMG_20120517_161507.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving home from a dinner party, we spotted this hutch. With a coat of $1 oops paint from Lowe's, it's like new and serves as a perfect coffee station. We found the coffee maker for $5 from Goodwill. It retails new for $80. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3g_nxJNxMHFXYBcMn5htUMCYlDMt2Dfb1xbi7VQDYH54XOu4FweswzSpjD369Tl-jJO4OPDzF_4yJXaAtXRj0heeWAGQXImxOfQmFdU6LFcMM9fzRXl39WwURMo8ToYC2xDhJWPqkRcQ/s1600/IMG_20120517_164029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3g_nxJNxMHFXYBcMn5htUMCYlDMt2Dfb1xbi7VQDYH54XOu4FweswzSpjD369Tl-jJO4OPDzF_4yJXaAtXRj0heeWAGQXImxOfQmFdU6LFcMM9fzRXl39WwURMo8ToYC2xDhJWPqkRcQ/s640/IMG_20120517_164029.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bed was a desperate situation for a bit. Initially, we were camping out on Vadim's crash pad. Soon after, we dumpster dived a very questionable mattress from the 70s, which took a half gallon of vinegar and a lot of elbow grease to make somewhat sanitary. A week later, we found a futon in someone's front yard. They didn't want it and we were more than happy to haul it away. The sketchy mattress serves as additional support beneath the futon's padding. Vadim, by the way, is compulsively researching knives in the background. Jordan chose an <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Opinel-Carbon-Steel-Folding-knife/dp/B000UGYWQM" target="_blank">Opinel</a> :)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /></div>jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01440972682422819957noreply@blogger.com0