Sorry for the delay

In the interest of keeping some action going here, I'm going to be minimalist and post my pretty pictures while keeping my mouth mostly shut. Cause that's what I do when I'm covered up with school; head down and keep chugging. Thank god for late fall breaks, leaf-covered paths and rainy, windy fall days. It's about time!
















Thanks to Pisgah National Forest, I now have returned to a state of sanity, mostly. This place is one of the most magical in its ability to recharge the batteries. I think it's something about the constant wind blowing across the top of the bald.
Bring a toboggan and prepare to feel good. You just can't keep hold of a bad mood up here! Thank you Max, whoever you are.

This post is not educational

School has finally started! And in order to soften the blow, we went camping and got all nature-y. So enjoy this last uneducational post before I am so immersed in Information Science that I can't talk about anything else!


It's been a busy couple of weeks since my last post, first trying to cram as much leisure time in as possible, and then getting oriented in my new graduate program. We went to our favorite camping spot and got to see some really impressive shooting stars, part of the Perseid meteor shower, before we fell asleep like old people. But not before a little night swimming, one of the best things to do when primitive camping on a lake! Closely followed by the early morning swim while the fog is still lifting off of the water. We also did a little hiking to stretch our legs and give Solomon a chance to run.

The haze that you see in the picture is partially because it is August and we are having an endless heat wave and our air quality is like hot mud, and partially due to a small forest fire that was happening in a different part of the park. In the other direction, the air was much clearer. It was good, and we had more swimming afterwards to cool off. And then we had to go home, but we had huckleberries (more commonly known as blueberries, but I am respecting the local parlance, and it's fun to say!) to bring home and turn into cobbler for a few more delicious reminders of our fun.

And finally, before I end this post I have to brag about my mother. She called me after 9:30 last Saturday night, meaning something momentous had happened. Unlike my inlaws who routinely call after 11:00, and I do mean P.M., she goes to bed early, like 9:00. (I'm awake at 11, usually, but do I want to talk on the phone? No. I'm busy reading...or doing something else that's better than talking on the phone. Like flossing my teeth. I'm not really a phone person.) But back to my Mom... she had just gotten the exciting news that she had won 2nd place at the local fair with her quilt! See the birds? And the herringbone border? I think it's beautiful.

Okra...and other happy mishaps

Okra is one of my favorite things to watch grow. The flower is one of the most beautiful in the garden (no offense, squash blossoms!), and the whole plant just looks alien to me. With its crazy pods poking out, ready for action. So this year, I decided to try what promised to be an even more beautiful example: an heirloom red okra! I bought the seeds from John Scheepers kitchen garden seeds last fall, dreaming of how beautiful they would be. This spring, after the ground had thoroughly warmed (okay, I was busy, it was more like June), I used my little trick that insures germination of the hard-to-sprout tough little okra seeds, soaking them for five minutes in bleach and rinsing well before planting them. I had tried this method last year, being scientific and treating only half, comparing the germination between the two and taking careful notes which have since been lost, but that I remember clearly supported the use of the bleach method. (It also worked on moonflower seeds that had thwarted all previous efforts using sandpaper, a file/rasp, and finally a hammer when I got frustrated beyond reason.) The well-planned experiment of last year did not, however, include time as a variable, so I decided this year I would wander off and start a sewing project and maybe a load of laundry, triggering the sudden realization that I was still bleaching my expensive heirloom seeds 30 minutes later! I went ahead and rinsed and planted and waited, and waited and got two poor little plants out of six or eight seeds (I'm sorry, I can't remember, I didn't realize this was going to be important data). Interestingly, my regular old green okra fared much better after the 30 minute bleaching...must have a thicker seed coat or something. Anyway, I ended up with two lonely but beautiful red okra plants which is better than none, and I'll try again next year. And use a timer.
My other garden experiment this year (as if my entire garden isn't an experiment!) was trombolina summer squash, seeds from the same source as the okra. You can see its huge umbrella leaves (it grows daily, like kudzu) taking over my little city garden in the bottom right corner of this picture. Although they didn't claim it, I had heard that it is more resistant to squash borers, I think because it sends out little rootlets all along the vine, allowing it to stay healthy and get water even if the borers have gotten into it. Mine is definitely doing that, even scarring over and healing where it was compromised. I planted it about a month ago, in sad retaliation after the borers took all my zucchini out before I was ready to let go. And tonight I will test the flavor of my first trombolina!

Too much time on my hands

So I was talking to my mother the other day and she was discussing the trials of living in a small town where people think you're crazy. And I'm fairly unsympathetic because a) she chooses to live in said small town, and b) she is crazy. But she was told the other day after admitting that she grows her own sprouts that she has too much time on her hands. And my reaction was, "WHAT?!" They obviously had not ever tried growing sprouts because it takes no time at all. When you're doodling around the sink, you rinse them, morning and evening, and then you are rewarded in a few days with yummy little green sprouts to put on your cheese sandwich. Or whatever, because they are delicious.
I, in contrast, do make things that are beginning to indicate to me that I have too much time on my hands. Like mustard from scratch. Basil-shallot mustard to be exact. To go on my beautiful tomato sandwich. I think this mustard was invented to go on tomato sandwiches...it certainly makes the perfect compliment to a juicy tomato with its basil-y mustard flavor. Unlike sprouts, it does take some time, but it is worth every minute. Here is the recipe, adapted from Preserving the Harvest by Carol Costenbader:
Basil Shallot Mustard
1/4 C. yellow mustard seeds
1/2 C. dry mustard
2/3 C. apple juice
2/3 C. red wine vinegar
1/3 C. water
2-3 Tbsp. minced shallots
3 Tbsp. basil, chopped (I put mine in a glass and use scissors)
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. allspice
Grind mustard seeds partially in a spice mill or coffee grinder (not used for coffee). Combine all ingredients in a double boiler and cook over simmering water for about 15 min or until thickened (it will thicken more as it cools). Pour into 4-5 half-pint jars and store in the refrigerator.
The flavors should mingle and ripen for a few days, but I immediately spread mine on my tomato sandwich and it was heavenly. T's eyes rolled back in his head.

Progress, sort of

I mentioned previously that we have an old house that we have been renovating. See the list of stuff we've done to the house? Even though we've done a fair amount of work, we have trouble giving ourselves much credit...maybe we're too close to be able to see the big picture. We're too busy seeing those little projects that never seem to be done. For example, we replaced the rotten bathroom floor (3 layers of vintage linoleum!) and tiled it, ummm, 4 years ago. And we planned on building a nice little box to hide the plumbing for the clawfoot tub. Instead, we have kept a basket between the toilet and tub for the toilet paper and reading material and lots of dust and hair to collect in. But it bothered me; I had the plans firmly in place in my mind, but I guess I was waiting for Tre to build it. Which was silly.
So I finally built it, with many adjustments and mistakes because #1, I am not an experienced woodworker and #2, it turned out that maybe the plans weren't as firmly in place in my mind as I had thought. The shelf turned out to be too big for the space, despite my careful measuring, twice! The second time, the stage it is at in this picture, it technically fit the space, but sitting on the toilet was a little tight.
So I used my trusty little jigsaw to saw off a couple more inches, keeping the shaping of the top because I liked it, and ended up with this little beauty! Sometimes the smallest things make a big difference.

And to celebrate, I danced through the flowers in my latest (okay, second ever) completed sock project. I used the rpm pattern from knitty, making an anklet because it is hot outside and it's less boring to knit. It was a great pattern, with lots of options. So I learned some new skills in knitting and in woodworking!

Strange habits

We have a strange habit of taking pictures of our feet whenever we go somewhere. I should clarify, not just anywhere, but vacations usually. We're not a mushy couple, and I guess its easier than asking someone else to take the requisite picture of the two of us posing insincerely in front of some tourist attraction. Plus I almost always close my eyes or have a double chin or have something stuck between my teeth. Far better, I think, to show you the stuff between my toes.
We went camping last Monday night in a national forest on a lake that I'm not going to name because it is too crowded already and the litter in and around the primitive campsites was depressing. I've been going there for almost 20 years, and we would always clean up left-behind litter while we were there, but this time there was too much. We would have needed more time (we were only there for one night), and a lot more garbage bags. Why are people such turkeys?
We had a wonderful time, and the lake is still a beautiful, clean lake, so that was good. And the best thing was that Solomon swam for the first time (voluntarily at least)! He had a bad experience as a puppy, running full tilt and jumping off of a rock into the lake in early March. He thought the water was still land, silly puppy. It was cold and scary and scarred him for life. He's four now, and after our coaxing, he swam circles around us. Yes, we are way too entertained by our dog. But he's a good dog.

Garden fresh goodies

Aahhh...the tomato harvest has begun. With these ingredients, so much can be made! I love my lettuce leaf basil...leaves as big as my palm! And the flavor seems to be very, uh, basil-y. We've been having fresh sliced tomatoes with basil, kosher salt and pepper sprinkled liberally with almost every meal. Simple summer dinners just can't be beat. If you're low on inspiration, Mark Bittman supplies just a few ideas in this article. Although I tend to be much more vegetarian in my habits lately. Who needs meat more than once or twice a week, anyway? Ridiculous influence of the meat council on our eating habits. Actually, the USDA's food guide pyramid underwent a revision, and this website has a cool tool that lets you customize your own based on weight, age and physical activity. I was surprised at how much dairy I am supposed to consume (esp. since I have lactose intolerance issues: migraines), but they do have non-dairy alternatives listed, tho not on the first or even second link! Ahh, the dairy council. ;)
How did I get onto that rant? Oh, yeah, my wonderful garden veggies. My next project is going to involve hot pepper jam, perhaps even with cranberries...but I'll have to get back to you on that idea. It hasn't quite jelled in my mind. And what do purple jalepenos and red cranberries make? Brown? I need to get out my color wheel...just a pinker purple?

The library makes me happy

I have had a wonderful day. First of all, it was a rainy morning. I was born and raised in the temperate rain forest that is the Smoky Mountains of East TN and the drought here in the valley (Knoxville) has been taking its toll on more than just my garden. The thought has more than once crossed my mind that Seattle-ites, if that's what they're called, are a bunch of whiners. And they just don't want us ALL to move to their beautiful paradise. I've been there in January and it was beautiful. I've been there in August and it was beautiful. I think they're making it all up. I'm one of those people who would rather be cold than hot, and I guess wet rather than dry! So I was happy to have off and on rain for more than 10 minutes. Plus I didn't actually have to get wet because I was inside at work, watching the clouds roll by.

After I got off work, I went to the library, just for fun. I got books ranging from old home repair (I am lucky enough to have one to repair, and am being both facetious and serious about that "lucky") to crochet, with some fiction in between. That was fun, as always, but extra fun was the free mug I got! It was the reward for finishing the Adult Reading Challenge. I only had to read four books, which was easy for me. I read The Road by Cormac McCarthy (shamefully the first book of his that I've read), Clear Springs Bobbie Ann Mason's memoir which I enjoyed, identifying with her at times and feeling like an outsider at others (I was raised here, but you're not from the south until at least five generations have gone by, and my mother was from New York and my father from California...plus, they were hippies), Excellent Women by Barbara Pym (I tried not to identify with the young/old spinster that is the subject of the book, but loved her even if she did make me feel old), and finally the O. Henry Prize Stories 2006, a collection of short stories, some of which I loved, some not so much. Anyway, I love being rewarded for doing something that I would have done anyway, especially when I get a cool library coffee mug out of it!

And finally, when I got home, I popped open a tall-boy...and made beer bread! The recipe only called for 12 oz., so I had 4 oz. left over, yay! The bread turned out good and I'd like to try it again with a more flavorful ale. Don't be offended, you PBR lovers out there, but it does taste pretty watery, which is why it's my beer of choice after a long sweaty day of hard labor. And it is cheap. And it even makes a good bread.

Rain!

It finally rained on Thursday. It had been at least two weeks since the last rain, and everything is brown and crunchy unless I water it almost every day...argh! So the rain was so nice I had to document it! Although according to my rain gauge (yes, I'm a dork), we got less than 1/4 inch. Oh, well, it was something!

And then, as I was checking out my garden after the rain, taking pictures and eating a bagel, I discovered something horrifying. No, the sunflower was something pretty.


And my green bean teepee #1 was also pretty.



However, when I moved over to green bean teepee #2, where I had recently planted a second round (thus the name #2 cause I am creative), they were gone, completely. What?!

It could be bunnies, or thirsty birds. Every time I let Solomon into the backyard, he races for the back, but I thought it was just his squirrel obsession. Maybe I need to plant something for the bunnies....

Greek honey frozen yogurt

We have had a hectic week with house-sitting that involved a lot of watering (we'll get back to that subject later) and the holiday right smack in the middle of the week. This picture is from the beginning of the week when Sol was still worn out from running madly around my mother's house in the woods. We got to pick blackberries and eat them and feel the cool mountain air. This was especially nice because our air conditioning stopped working!@! It was electrical, not due to the unit itself or the thermostat, which is what we thought it might be and investigated by removing the outside casing, the result of which is shown here. No, it did not help at all to look at the guts of the thermostat, but it was kind of cool anyway. And we needed the distraction as the temperature climbed. But we lucked out and got cooler temps than usual and then it was finally fixed. Oh, and we made Greek honey frozen yogurt. I call it Greek because that's where I discovered how good plain yogurt with honey can be. Our (american) yogurt is not that good, but this still turned out deliciously. The recipe is easy if you have an ice-cream maker, which Tre was generous enough to purchase for me after I pitched a rather child-like fit two months ago. I obviously made some good points though, the main one being that I would make him many wonderful frozen treats, which I have. Here is the
Ridiculously Simple Greek Honey Frozen Yogurt Recipe:
(the name is longer than the recipe!)
1 pint plain yogurt (I used lowfat, but it would be better with CreamTop, or some other whole milk version, I just have tendencies towards migraines when I have cream)
1/4 C. honey (I didn't want it to be too sweet, but this amount is very adjustable to your own liking)
freeze in ice cream maker! Niiiice.

me & broccoli

Yellow Squash! and a bulghur salad recipe

We've been getting squash out of the garden for about two weeks now (with the help of much watering during our drought, -13" last I heard), and I'm still at the point where I think I'll never get sick of it. It takes a lot of squash to make me tired of it...I can eat it fried, grilled a million different ways, baked on pizza with lots of basil, and even made into chocolate cake. Oh, and then....pickles!! Squash pickles are so much better than cucumber in my hands, which is good, because I even have trouble growing cucumbers. I know, I shouldn't, but they just seem to die after giving me about 4 mis-shapen little things. Maybe this year will be different--my plants aren't dead yet, so there is still hope. I did get to make a great cracked wheat salad with my first cucumber and some corn (not from my garden, from the freezer). I've been experimenting with more grains since I started working at the local co-op, and I love it!
Here's the rough recipe:
1 C. cracked wheat or bulghur
1 C. boiling water
*combine and let sit until water is absorbed, about an hour
2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. ground coriander (if you grow cilantro, let it flower, seed, and you will never have a shortage again...and mowing the lawn smells wonderful because it self-seeds like crazy!)
2-3 cups frozen corn
4 Tbsp. lime juice
1 Tbsp. cider vinegar (I put some hot peppers from the garden into a bottle with cider vinegar and use this for anything you want to add spice to)
1 tsp. salt
1/4 C. veg. oil of your choice, plus a little more if you feel like it
2 green cayenne peppers (I'm pretty sure that's what I planted, but I do have several varieties...feel free to substitute)
small onion, diced
stalk celery diced
medium cucumber, diced
1/2 C. parsley, cilantro, or other green stuff you have on hand
1 C. toasted walnuts, chopped
Mix this all up and let the flavors mingle for a little while, stirring from time to time and taking bites until it is lunch or dinner time!
This salad was so sweet/nutty delicious and refreshing for dinner on the back patio in 80-degree weather. We ate it and didn't take a picture. Sorry.

First post

I want this to be a place where I can talk about all the new things that I'm learning, whether it concerns my crafting, cooking, gardening, or even school (gasp!). Maybe other people will learn from me, along with me, or if ahead of me, prod me along. That pretty much sums up my mission statement.