tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74216541972804874042024-03-13T05:37:03.972-04:00From Seed. Growing a sustainable life, family and business.Growing our garden from the seeds we sew in life. We respect mother nature and believe in sustainable living. Here the chickens, ducks and animals are part of our family and future.BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.comBlogger285125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-18129146154127242582012-07-14T23:02:00.001-04:002012-07-14T23:04:08.841-04:00Unset Jam... Runny Jelly...?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I may seem like a pro, but even my jams/jellies don't always turn out perfect. There are times when I get syrup when I was going for a lovely gel set. There is a way to save your hard work, and get that jelly to still set. Even after you've already sealed your jars.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFtlwEHDBVoqotMQ8OE_q6EZd2J_aGGFNfX2QvVPHs3aNyDond5OghAu_yDdSptYYY3ByAo_4G41RS9k0Qc2qjNcUrajT43E2yMInWLQpiEVX5O_mYznaBLKyovBnPO6wcVgntkAgDtg/s1600/jams3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFtlwEHDBVoqotMQ8OE_q6EZd2J_aGGFNfX2QvVPHs3aNyDond5OghAu_yDdSptYYY3ByAo_4G41RS9k0Qc2qjNcUrajT43E2yMInWLQpiEVX5O_mYznaBLKyovBnPO6wcVgntkAgDtg/s320/jams3.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
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The bad news is, you have to unseal the jars now. UGH!<br />
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So here's the secrets to the rescue...<br />
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First measure out your jam/jelly after you've opened the jars. You are going to want to do this in batches no more then 6 cups. Jam/Jelly was never meant to be done in large batches. Doubling a recipe is what may have caused the trouble in the first place.<br />
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Once you have your batch ready and standing by in a pot on the stove, turn the heat up to medium-high and get out a second pot to place on another burner.<br />
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Here you need the following for the new small pot:<br />
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1/4 cup of water per quart of unset jelly<br />
2 Tbsp lemon juice<br />
2 Tsp of powdered pectin<br />
1/4 cup of sugar<br />
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Heat the water to boiling w/ the lemon juice and pectin. After 45 seconds at a boil, add the sugar. Give that another 45 seconds to activate the pectin. Dip a spoon in and make sure the liquid is coating the spoon and creating a 'sheet' as it drips off. This is NOT a steady stream of liquid, but more like a curtain.<br />
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Now add it to your 'oops' batch of jelly and bring that to a rolling boil for one minute. Test this batch with the spoon method as well. If you need to give it another 30 seconds go for it!<br />
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That should do the trick, works for me everytime.</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-18726456227937545242012-07-02T16:57:00.003-04:002012-07-02T16:57:39.517-04:00Gardening For Chickens<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<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/AVvXsEj5DLXKQygDS2g8cjVjRmMaKud6KbCL85XfVyUc-1paKAdPC9gqjGGPl-ZkmusPOBHB0hJbsskolb59CdKjHFGutA7aRPfSKnuwWjir4x-FPQzgmaTzbM7EQmqqVgumiuIw1hEWMl0-RAY/s1600/06_19_2012+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DLXKQygDS2g8cjVjRmMaKud6KbCL85XfVyUc-1paKAdPC9gqjGGPl-ZkmusPOBHB0hJbsskolb59CdKjHFGutA7aRPfSKnuwWjir4x-FPQzgmaTzbM7EQmqqVgumiuIw1hEWMl0-RAY/s320/06_19_2012+040.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Freshly harvested Sunflower heads ready to be dried for storage.</span></i></td></tr>
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When I plan out my garden each season,
I plan it according to my family's needs, things I want to experiment
with and what my chickens would like. Though I toss them a fresh
tomato or strawberries while harvesting for my fridge, I also have to
think about what I can preserve for them come the fall and winter
months.
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While the ideas spin around in my head
I have to keep in mind foods that store well with little processing
and are safe for the chickens to consume. Though potatoes store well,
raw potatoes are not good for chickens. Rice works great, but
I'd have to plant a lot to get a little and I'd have to cook it
before I fed it them.
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My favorite options end up being very
simple. <b>Sunflowers </b>are easy to plant and plentiful. I get the added
bonus of beautiful flowers in the garden that attract beneficial
insects and birds through out the summer. They're easy to harvest
because I just cut the head off the stock after they've bent over and
started to brown. You can seed the seeds in the head of the sunflower
becoming plump as it grows, so you'll know when its ready. You'll
need to find a warm place with good ventilation to allow them to dry
for a couple weeks before you can put them up. The only real trick is
getting the heads before the birds devour all the seeds.
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Another good one we like to do is <b>corn</b>.
We plant so much that we allow some of the ears to dry right on the
stock. We'll then shuck them clean when the kernels are hard and
store them in the house until winter. You also have the option that
corn on the cob freezes well. Simply shuck and clean the corn and
store in the freezer in gallon storage bags. Thaw them completely
before giving to your chickens. I don't have the space in my freezer
to store extra food for the chickens like that, it's already super
stocked for the winter for us.
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There are <i>LOTS</i> of great options out
there for your chickens to get their portion of your garden all year
long. As you see, you can freeze, dry, cure or can almost anything
you'd eat for them too. So clear a little plot in your garden for
some great produce you can share with your feathered friends.
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</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-8940379971374268972012-06-26T17:11:00.002-04:002012-06-26T17:12:03.908-04:00Predator Attack<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><i>Last week turned out to be a rough beginning to the Summer season</i></b>. We had an attack that ended up killing 2 pekin ducks and maiming a 3rd. our dear Ms. Lily who's not 3 years old lost a good amount of her neck, skin and muscle tissue too. Somehow she fought her attacker and escaped with her life, but just barely.<br />
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I'm been giving her extra daily attention, regularly cleanings and treatments with <a href="http://www.tractorsupply.com/-502328199" target="_blank">SWAT</a> and <a href="http://www.tractorsupply.com/dr-naylor-reg-blu-kote-reg-aerosol-5-oz--1019855" target="_blank">Blu-kote</a> I have to keep antibiotics in her water, along with some serious vitamins (<a href="http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Chicken-Health/Poultry-Nutri-Drench-p979.aspx" target="_blank">Nutri-Drench</a>) until she's back to eating and moving more on her own. <br />
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Last night she took a bath, and showed a lot of energy she's been lacking for a week now. I think we can finally say we're out of the critical condition phase of things.<br />
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<br /></div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-66395108880911044912012-05-29T21:46:00.001-04:002012-05-29T21:46:17.062-04:00Spring Round Up!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
First of all, please forgive me!? It's been an overwhelming spring, lots of projects and lots of sick. In fact I was sick all of April and 1/2 of May! The time in-between I managed, with lots of help from my husband, to get the final gardens in and rolling. We added over 700 sq ft of new garden space this year... with tilling, compost moving and planting... there went most of my spring!<br />
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So I wanted to show off some of what we've accomplished and what we are now enjoying from our hard work. Hopefully my next round of posts will be more canning posts and recipes I'll be trying with all the yummy stuff rolling in.<br />
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Here are the blue mop head hydrangeas in bloom</div>
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The lavender lace cap hydrangeas are now opening up </div>
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Our meat bird project birds, 4 Cornish x & 1 Pekin duck. 7 Weeks old. </div>
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The deck bed in bloom </div>
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The larger of the 2 veggie gardens </div>
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Green bean tee pees filling out, already have green beans on them (Blue Lake Pole) </div>
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Rows of corn, sunflowers, squash and tomatoes </div>
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The grape vine has a good amount of grapes this year </div>
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Already picked our first raspberries this week, 100's more to ripen soon </div>
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Need to refinish the paths in the small garden, by herbs, carrots, garlic, cukes and tomatoes are going now </div>
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Random sunflower popper up in a rock pile. Daughter won't let me pull it out! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBj11DhiK3GL8InM0wOmw4IqtGZJwR2Wi7cGigjyptJOTtdTNDhbSwMKtQzRfyMVU6U411S2WIqEJpAFoYXF9PKBLmFhk7TmSnslkIE5K67kM2o0fcsxfHbKL95IjIrKPMNlANtVWC77g/s1600/05_29_2012+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBj11DhiK3GL8InM0wOmw4IqtGZJwR2Wi7cGigjyptJOTtdTNDhbSwMKtQzRfyMVU6U411S2WIqEJpAFoYXF9PKBLmFhk7TmSnslkIE5K67kM2o0fcsxfHbKL95IjIrKPMNlANtVWC77g/s320/05_29_2012+021.jpg" width="240" /> </a></div>
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Harvested the potatoes today, got 17lbs of red & yukon gold </div>
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She's so proud of that green bean tee pee she fits in perfectly!</div>
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Well that is all I have today, but I will be back soon... hopefully I will have some advice, or a cool project by then. For now... over and out! </div>
<br /></div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-15440122556898950822012-04-10T15:17:00.000-04:002012-04-10T15:17:16.052-04:00Getting a Better Germination Rate - Corn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lrF_qFkWh7k6m3uNzES1R98AE1fOMhCxiUpmmIwHedbfxYZRbI5lKwUWf1ImDd1nMlgFOFHvkIlXWQkSap1TYsgv5UQV2g0h9xYJe3DMvMHXPe34uTVTh-xWbmcme26_xfJTqpRV0gA/s1600/corn_soak1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lrF_qFkWh7k6m3uNzES1R98AE1fOMhCxiUpmmIwHedbfxYZRbI5lKwUWf1ImDd1nMlgFOFHvkIlXWQkSap1TYsgv5UQV2g0h9xYJe3DMvMHXPe34uTVTh-xWbmcme26_xfJTqpRV0gA/s320/corn_soak1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<b>Now we just love</b><b style="color: #f1c232;"> <span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">corn</span></b><b>!</b> Sweet corn, popcorn, indian corn... and we switch out which we grow each season. <i style="color: #38761d;">(This is to stop possible cross pollination which can wreck the flavor in your crop.)</i><br />
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If you haven't noticed, corn seed is very hard... like little yellow rocks. In years past we've planted the corn and occasionally went too long in between waterings during the germination period. This caused a few issues. The seeds need to remain moist during this time and missing waterings or watering unevenly had the seeds sprouting at different rates in one series of rows. <i>Example; </i><span style="color: #45818e;">we'd plant 30 seeds in 3 rows of 10, uneven watering left 10 out 30 stalks 2 weeks immature and perhaps 5 or 6 seeds never germinated. </span>This does make a difference on harvesting since they depend on one another to wind pollinate within those rows. Less stalks come to age at the same time, so pollination rates diminish as well.<br />
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<div style="color: #741b47;"><i><b>So now you see the problem! Now, for the solution.</b></i></div><br />
<i>Soak your corn seeds before planting.</i> Just place what you plan on planting into a cup of room temperature water and allow to soak 12 to 48 hours before planting. The corn will double in volume and be soft to the touch full of water. This will help start germination quickly and you'll notice your sprouts all come up right on time.<br />
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This year we've already planted 2 groups of 3 rows 2 weeks apart each. We've had <b>100%</b> germination and all corn broke ground within a week and within 24 hours of each other. This will make for great timing on pollination and we should have many consecutive harvests the whole summer doing it in this manner.<br />
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</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-69788704812960947192012-03-14T15:52:00.001-04:002012-03-14T15:58:57.056-04:00What to do with a broken pot? (project)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6WORsh7aTvLmugyRfKC-GLDRaVNQ-RlogLEFXN-ZsP7WMwrwHZytU8Y50ELZ9hxT6x6B3xbx44qvS0P4gVBG964smlQOEVprZqWWM8tloNqZoW6PlEjeukzr1U-SGH7Bv_730KD_wK8/s1600/planters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6WORsh7aTvLmugyRfKC-GLDRaVNQ-RlogLEFXN-ZsP7WMwrwHZytU8Y50ELZ9hxT6x6B3xbx44qvS0P4gVBG964smlQOEVprZqWWM8tloNqZoW6PlEjeukzr1U-SGH7Bv_730KD_wK8/s400/planters.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
So while transplanting all my house plants back into their outdoor porch pots, I picked up one of my favorite glazed clay pots to find it split in 2. It was an almost perfect split! Now, usually during a situation like this I find myself searching pinterest or google for ideas for broken pots. I've done mosaics, tiled tables, buried them... I even could have gorilla glued this along the seam and it would have been good enough to use a couple more years. <i>No chips or broken pieces</i>...<span style="color: #674ea7;"> </span><b style="color: #674ea7;">a perfect split I tell ya!!!</b><br />
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I just HAPPEN to look over at my plaster end tables next to my bench that were about to be spring cleaned for the season and thought, well now.... I could REALLY bump up the end tables by planting them too. So I got to work turning my end tables into multi-use planters.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvnHSOHapRBZg-i6gEjadRclZUQCDqxd1ru6Cid3fO7SDj3rNMpyRfxypO_LLVTRDwLGZZGWomnkvyz-Uyo4h0yK8IglA7ABTZhuhQhqv39hXNkKuo2e_nwNus7Z8D_C1h51CQQK87e8/s1600/planters1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvnHSOHapRBZg-i6gEjadRclZUQCDqxd1ru6Cid3fO7SDj3rNMpyRfxypO_LLVTRDwLGZZGWomnkvyz-Uyo4h0yK8IglA7ABTZhuhQhqv39hXNkKuo2e_nwNus7Z8D_C1h51CQQK87e8/s320/planters1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Step 1. - <b>CLEAN</b> everything. We're using adhesive here, and the surface needs to be spotless, dirtless and dustless.<br />
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Step 2. <b>Rough up the area</b> on the tables you need the pot to adhere to. Make some grip for your adhesive. Try a low grit sandpaper.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkevIlzTb6Y6L3iLPlP9x1nS4Od2uFCFE_I4XZWNfFGBXxIHDcPj55LGvtlyQzeIg67LderFIJ41Zsy6PYLXZqbVp7KBpnW9NWpGlcManM3fOuJ6hRmWnoiDo-p730V8ArhPj_OCv0t4/s1600/planters2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkevIlzTb6Y6L3iLPlP9x1nS4Od2uFCFE_I4XZWNfFGBXxIHDcPj55LGvtlyQzeIg67LderFIJ41Zsy6PYLXZqbVp7KBpnW9NWpGlcManM3fOuJ6hRmWnoiDo-p730V8ArhPj_OCv0t4/s320/planters2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
Step 3. <b>Adhesive!</b> In this situation your basic glue, hot glue or caulk won't work. "Water tight" is not ok. If water and dirt pool inside the pot caulk will warp and eventually release your pretty pot. Seeing the pot is clay and the table I have plaster... I went with a cement adhesive/fixer and expandable sealant. This is meant for brick, driveways, stairs... things that are going to get weathered regularly and it will hold even with pooling water for years. Check out the pic for the one I found, Home Depot has it in their cement/mortar aisle for about $6. Make sure to add a thick amount to all the areas that tough. The more the merrier with this stuff!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgFmTFtkQueg2Mpm2OhFcG99bfOxRHaMTex7FF80MefP4gVZad8RmajP_Q2unBVM4EDH3RYZsuatwwgoPKQIjg_AazoRa7eLDnFJTZ0u84LnEPXIsv6YdoF_xvfLGs1Nxeh1wNVzAbmY/s1600/planters3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgFmTFtkQueg2Mpm2OhFcG99bfOxRHaMTex7FF80MefP4gVZad8RmajP_Q2unBVM4EDH3RYZsuatwwgoPKQIjg_AazoRa7eLDnFJTZ0u84LnEPXIsv6YdoF_xvfLGs1Nxeh1wNVzAbmY/s320/planters3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisf8KpMl4oof1un3FCSaqXaJ6TpNmr0rqmoSdMC6_NEWGARzc-DjlkuWIwg93Yab5UKvb1OIivck-BVnx2kcApPlVdICq-2iMRwLk31Ig0sivaYY_RTv7VyDUm6SbK8-4z718Bqqdoq1w/s1600/planters4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisf8KpMl4oof1un3FCSaqXaJ6TpNmr0rqmoSdMC6_NEWGARzc-DjlkuWIwg93Yab5UKvb1OIivck-BVnx2kcApPlVdICq-2iMRwLk31Ig0sivaYY_RTv7VyDUm6SbK8-4z718Bqqdoq1w/s320/planters4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Step 4. <b>Allow to cure!</b> The can says 6 hours for basic sure... 10 days for FULL cure. I gave it 24 hours before I stood them up. Then 2 more days before I went on to the next step. <br />
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Step 5.<b> Time to fill. </b>As you see, my perfect crack was kinda wavy so they don't sit flat. I was going to fill with the adhesive on the sides, but thought better of that. The soil would slip fall out the bottom. So what to do to keep soil retention, and still allow drainage? <i style="color: #6aa84f;">Metal hanging pot liners! </i>I just HAPPEN to have a bunch of old ones needing to be replaced so I took 1 out of a long basket, cut it in half and used this to line the pots before adding the soil. Walla!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiI1aeUt077G0AT0V5kdluuTeh6t6gLq2Tk62AHHGgBm9wdYPrA9xaHIpUEXY7onOpmr0PR-wAWvbzLXMG3esj9b0QUKDjX2_k9LrePEP1jTkqDfFzBV-dXlU15iTX2glOhr_DoI3k7ek/s1600/planters6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiI1aeUt077G0AT0V5kdluuTeh6t6gLq2Tk62AHHGgBm9wdYPrA9xaHIpUEXY7onOpmr0PR-wAWvbzLXMG3esj9b0QUKDjX2_k9LrePEP1jTkqDfFzBV-dXlU15iTX2glOhr_DoI3k7ek/s320/planters6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Step 6.<b> Fill your planter tables!</b> I chose a long growing ground cover vine called Vera. It will spill over the pot to the base of the porch and not grow up so the top of the table is clear to put things on.<br />
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So now you have a broken planter idea that is pretty budget friendly. This should work with wood tables as well, but you may have to experiment with the adhesive you use. My original plant with these was to use grout, but they didn't have it in a tube (it is out there though!) so I had to come up with a second idea on the fly.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-50848935091633693202012-03-12T18:03:00.000-04:002012-03-12T18:03:43.070-04:00The Importance of Mulch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBG3H6o9-bQ514SH3nNNzVnje6rzm2MVzEsQ29BW_E-g9s-h_2XdX9xtypripnSIojWsfrlih_WEzrz5_kQkXFzuUmAVw11oKMnljwouuoaj78coe40CtIroRaOi7TRKyViIqJ4yRQNcA/s1600/03_09_2012+058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBG3H6o9-bQ514SH3nNNzVnje6rzm2MVzEsQ29BW_E-g9s-h_2XdX9xtypripnSIojWsfrlih_WEzrz5_kQkXFzuUmAVw11oKMnljwouuoaj78coe40CtIroRaOi7TRKyViIqJ4yRQNcA/s400/03_09_2012+058.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Well, I've said it before and I think I'll take this opportunity to say it again!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">MULCH! MULCH! MULCH!</span></b><br />
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It's not that 'little' extra... its absolutely <i><span style="color: #674ea7;">VITAL</span></i>! Not only does it help with water retention at the root of your plant like most people mention... no no... it does SO much more. Gimme a minute to sell you on it.<br />
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Before we talk about types and costs... let me explain simply all the whys. This way you'll be ready to run out and get all the mulch you need ASAP.<br />
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1.) Water Retention - Like stated above, save yourself some time having to water again and again. Mulching will help hold water in the dirt longer.<br />
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2.) Root Shading - Some plants may be hot season plants and enjoy 80 degree weather on their tops, but their roots sure do need some shade from scorching. Some plants are so tender in that sense they couldn't survive without root mulching or at least base planted grasses and such to protect their root, like <a href="http://www.homeofclematis.net/" target="_blank">clematis</a>.<br />
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3.) Disease protection - Many diseases that attack your plants come directly from the dirt they live in. Many fungi and bacteria thrive in the dirt, maybe even working in harmony with the roots... but if allowed to get airborne or simply splash up during a heavy rain and get on your plants leaves; well... all H#7% can break loose. Example: <a href="http://www.longislandhort.cornell.edu/vegpath/photos/lateblight_tomato.htm" target="_blank">Blight</a><br />
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4.) Weed Control - It may not keep ALL weeds out of your precious beds, but it could cut your weeding down significantly. I've seen more then a 80% reduction in the amount of weeds in my veggie beds by simply mulching every season. My back thanks me!<br />
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5.) Permanent Paths - So not only IN the garden, but around the garden. You don't want to step on your plants or too close as you can damage the unseen roots, as well as cause soil compaction. This pushes the vital amounts of air in the soil out that the plants need to thrive. So mulch out your walkways so they are easy to stay on, also keeping weeds out of those paths so less need to mow and cause even more compaction and stress on the ground around your growing area.<br />
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You know whats sad? I could go ON and ON and ON about how great MULCH is... but I'll take a minute to give you some mulch options... because shoot... it can pretty much be WHATEVER you think of or have on hand at the time. So add to the list!<br />
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<i><span style="color: #45818e;">(I've labeled these with $ as cheapest(or free) $$ mid price $$$ expensive)</span></i><br />
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<i><u><span style="color: #a64d79;">Options:</span></u></i><br />
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Wood mulch $$$<br />
Grass clipping $ (make sure it was before the grass went to seed)<br />
Hay or straw $$<br />
Gravel $$$<br />
Shredded News Paper $<br />
Pine Straw $$<br />
Compost $<br />
Weed Fabric $$$<br />
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So, you see where I'm going with all this? This Mulching thing;<span style="color: #674ea7;"><i> total amazing</i></span>! So scream it from the mountain tops... share this with a friend... and don't forget, whatever you are growing, whatever you are planning for your garden.... <b>JUST MULCH IT</b>!!!<br />
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</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-18640612682018899872012-03-02T15:58:00.000-05:002012-03-02T15:58:29.736-05:00Salmon Faverolles Move In<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZJo8vZ3YBxs4B_CtIukJjJ4e7ULkRMWKdLQILijtwmU5vnqgDSiGrI1hspp8kPIbmsgJuP9CnhsItdZ8jBLramuiouAMl3msGl6o02yJTnbtaBmOZkRpBrDsXJgCQstAK5BJ_5cMgFM/s1600/02_29_2012+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZJo8vZ3YBxs4B_CtIukJjJ4e7ULkRMWKdLQILijtwmU5vnqgDSiGrI1hspp8kPIbmsgJuP9CnhsItdZ8jBLramuiouAMl3msGl6o02yJTnbtaBmOZkRpBrDsXJgCQstAK5BJ_5cMgFM/s400/02_29_2012+019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Introducing <b>Gabby</b> and <b>Cherry,</b> 2 Salmon Favorelle Hens we got at auction a couple weeks ago. One is obviously more red then she should be, so DD calls her the "<i>CHERRY ONE</i>!". They had their beaks clipped and have a hard time eating... but they are royally spoiled with deep dishes and lots of treats. They are skittish of people so were probably never handled much, but I cuddle them when I catch them so eventually they'll accept us.<br />
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For anyone looking to introduce more birds to their flock, its important you keep new birds quarentined for at least 30 days. You don't want disease spreading, or mites or anything that may cause stress of an uproar in your flocks health and sanity. Also give new birds a good look over. I found these guys had ticks and mites. I washed them, picked the ticks, dusted with<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2031658924"> <span style="font-size: small;"><i></i></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="" target="_blank">DE(</a></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span id="ctl00_contentMasterPage_LModelName"><a href="http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Chicken-Health/Diatomaceous-Earth-Food-Grade-p147.aspx" target="_blank">Diatomaceous Earth)</a> </span></i><span id="ctl00_contentMasterPage_LModelName">and added used vaseline on their legs since they looks dried and scaly. I didn't see mites on their legs, but you can never be too careful. They are in their own coop, and though they can see my other birds... no one is touching and getting aggressive. Just the way we like it around here. :)</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Chicken-Health/Diatomaceous-Earth-Food-Grade-p147.aspx" target="_blank"> </a></div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-71879369477120251102012-03-01T18:25:00.000-05:002012-03-01T18:25:38.982-05:00Getting to work - Spring is coming!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">Well, reality is the work is never done... you really just get 'caught up' and then you eventually fall behind. There is no in-between. You get a winter break which is only a few weeks here. However, you're fidgety the entire time you're supposed to be relaxing, so what does it matter, right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So with a gorgeous day, felt like 80 out with a cool breeze (if you call 20 mph winds a breeze) I took a few hours to plan a plant rescue and finish up the garden that was tilled up to be prepared when the corn can go in. (That still almost 2 months away, but I'm just so darn fidgety!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">First the rescue of the rose-</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My mother bought this rose many years ago, <a href="http://www.jacksonandperkins.com/" target="_blank">Jackson Perkins</a> I do believe. I think its a <a href="http://www.jacksonandperkins.com/rose-henry-fonda-hybrid-tea-pp9390/p/28568/" target="_blank">Henry Fonda Tea rose</a>?! It was never in a proper bed and it was at the top of a hill in front of their house so daddy just couldn't manage to steer the riding mower around it. Several years ago he gave up and just mowed right over it. After awhile we just forgot it was ever there. Last year the yard became a weed jungle when the mower died, low and behold the roses emerged and dainty yellow buds graced the front yard scene. I decided to swoop in and get it transplanted here and give it a garden bed of its own. It will never have to fear the blades of a mower again.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">First nightmare... get the crown and as much of the root ball out of the ground as I could. Found out the roses was originally mulched with ROCK! Can you say my wrist is killing me right now. So after 30-45 minutes of fighting with the tangled mess of root, grass, weeds and rock I finally got it free. It was about 3 ft tall with some diseased growth, so I immediately pruned it down as much as I could without destroying the new growth. I was a little late getting to it because of this mild winter we've had. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOVaueNrjP60TtqnAaljaUjrmPJPNK-kMuLtXWrPl9lZ-bpbP7PrOtmNxi5MOCP4pfUeQOQRzRMfGNF2mZinoLTHPcfObmpI4_NrfCzEDv8zcQXFieOvlzJBk4RvvUZIPde_feb1GN_I/s1600/02_29_2012+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOVaueNrjP60TtqnAaljaUjrmPJPNK-kMuLtXWrPl9lZ-bpbP7PrOtmNxi5MOCP4pfUeQOQRzRMfGNF2mZinoLTHPcfObmpI4_NrfCzEDv8zcQXFieOvlzJBk4RvvUZIPde_feb1GN_I/s400/02_29_2012+001.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAV68rXudhZMcGlwikTMblYr3CH60fBDz-v4WDBR1kIIjc79y0VQLtkm65UAAGJBN8qwuhB_gagicYxxWzia_tGzlKX4Qpc49YwOYxu_ubV0F0iv4ppadT5NOZZBE87iICok-o1-ZF7pI/s1600/02_29_2012+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAV68rXudhZMcGlwikTMblYr3CH60fBDz-v4WDBR1kIIjc79y0VQLtkm65UAAGJBN8qwuhB_gagicYxxWzia_tGzlKX4Qpc49YwOYxu_ubV0F0iv4ppadT5NOZZBE87iICok-o1-ZF7pI/s320/02_29_2012+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">From here I dusted the root ball with rooting hormone which will help root growth. I've add some bone meal to the potting soil and decided to pot it up for not. The front bed isn't ready and I'd really like to baby it and make sure she'll survive before I give her the place of honor in my new expanded front yard garden bed. I'm sure it was well worth the afternoon struggles. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvIjdIQlSX0P8O47EJ0yAUjidqEGvGYN81f1iA2sHCxUVfPaT9o-_WFRLnsCN7R5K4fLvW78Vd1WYwYDpkIalM6wn6FK5kMHzghpK3Lh77EWFyzRnTor4BhovjU2AF2KJRclBCtgX02g/s1600/02_29_2012+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvIjdIQlSX0P8O47EJ0yAUjidqEGvGYN81f1iA2sHCxUVfPaT9o-_WFRLnsCN7R5K4fLvW78Vd1WYwYDpkIalM6wn6FK5kMHzghpK3Lh77EWFyzRnTor4BhovjU2AF2KJRclBCtgX02g/s320/02_29_2012+007.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And when I thought I had no energy left in my body, I finished raking out the rows for the corn getting 2 more done today. So we now have 7 finished rows for the sweet corn. The one I bought over 200 seeds for! YIKES! We also decided after some time on 'pinterest' I would create 2 bamboo teepees for my daughter to use as play space in the garden. Those will go where you see the round mounds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxwikCnZ1L7YECpwC6hYa7eIfti0rZ8YjY6p-lm4HGoy6MTTi15AAfop3ox9BEGJqJMUxnQuOw2RYzztyX-lZ8rz5ekrD6RTJbAy-KV_ZiiRTWKpJWugb-XIo81J9jluGcoSXYSZPYRA/s1600/02_29_2012+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxwikCnZ1L7YECpwC6hYa7eIfti0rZ8YjY6p-lm4HGoy6MTTi15AAfop3ox9BEGJqJMUxnQuOw2RYzztyX-lZ8rz5ekrD6RTJbAy-KV_ZiiRTWKpJWugb-XIo81J9jluGcoSXYSZPYRA/s400/02_29_2012+009.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And just when I thought I had done more then my fair share for the day, I checked my brussel sprouts which are as done as they are going to be. I planted these last March, even though I took some for the holiday meal I took the last of them today. I only had 6 plants, when 2 never produced any, so I'm satisfied. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHz_OQgmarVjbS5JzUe_7REe83S_ga93NuazZQh_H_dtLOP0X1Lht02DtG5okJsJMlgzQq9guvUWw-h_5NLkei1-cbt1xkumfY55H3G1jgT_WIZHg25iy3oh_PGYr_L2vdtlF1EX7kNXY/s1600/02_29_2012+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHz_OQgmarVjbS5JzUe_7REe83S_ga93NuazZQh_H_dtLOP0X1Lht02DtG5okJsJMlgzQq9guvUWw-h_5NLkei1-cbt1xkumfY55H3G1jgT_WIZHg25iy3oh_PGYr_L2vdtlF1EX7kNXY/s320/02_29_2012+022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUQCuRlK_KMPrV8-fxyxrMtOxPgej80Ch4uRbCzk9-Cv81G0QLG8PBHsw9jA758SqLbet0fH_J_0YIRO_ll4zLrJvkmre5EjmFVPBPUWGlwkH58Xh3Phq9gEiIRtf9vWRj5vpnb9-gK0/s1600/02_29_2012+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUQCuRlK_KMPrV8-fxyxrMtOxPgej80Ch4uRbCzk9-Cv81G0QLG8PBHsw9jA758SqLbet0fH_J_0YIRO_ll4zLrJvkmre5EjmFVPBPUWGlwkH58Xh3Phq9gEiIRtf9vWRj5vpnb9-gK0/s320/02_29_2012+023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">These are now in the oven roasting with some olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and garlic. Come on dinner!</div></div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-16378040533149801192012-02-29T17:37:00.000-05:002012-02-29T17:37:09.051-05:00Regrowing Celery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">If you're a <a href="http://pinterest.com/">pinterest.com</a> addict like I am, you've seen this project pop up a lot lately! Cutting the base of your store bought celery off and growing a whole new bunch of stocks from it. So I gave it and decided to give it a go.<br />
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Right now its day one! I've cut the base of the stock and have put it in a shallow cake pan full of warm water in front of an east facing window.<br />
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Here's day one picture. We'll check back on it within 7 days.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBS-aIM14M8UC4leuN8Hzu9qWwMfui91zVZtWTvjR3iNu70v_Ndf6Lvhje-8IdYPdSXkxmqhd7Qxrn_2TBpH6riNIq0P_1cG0kMMWgqwCROYepVUH3GaYMXSjPyAt1F7AuZIOCBgHLF_s/s1600/celery1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBS-aIM14M8UC4leuN8Hzu9qWwMfui91zVZtWTvjR3iNu70v_Ndf6Lvhje-8IdYPdSXkxmqhd7Qxrn_2TBpH6riNIq0P_1cG0kMMWgqwCROYepVUH3GaYMXSjPyAt1F7AuZIOCBgHLF_s/s400/celery1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-40182455090017463112012-02-26T18:03:00.000-05:002012-02-26T18:03:01.905-05:00Great Gardening Class<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I had a fabulous group of ladies this weekend over for a beginner's gardening class. <b><i>(Thank you ladies!) </i></b>I really hope I covered enough to get them really excited and get them out in their yards! Definitely didn't want to over whelm anyone into quitting such a wonderful hobby. I think I gained a lot from the class as well, in fact I learned just how far I've come over the years and how I started from nothing, with lots of questions and anxiety!<br />
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So I just wanted to share a little flashback of what was, and what is.... for one day you will see, what will be!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVugYVgkIIRW1ytEOtSjjit1sSdEa7Z8cDazXUMjALGSaasc2TP9GRBxvR9dYHQd1aMKyjovTOFlz-H6K4UZ981ne5dYXOm9fvTBmNtaTP0ER1HK_5la0OYnRGYSspGgq6X1WTuaBGoi4/s1600/IMG_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVugYVgkIIRW1ytEOtSjjit1sSdEa7Z8cDazXUMjALGSaasc2TP9GRBxvR9dYHQd1aMKyjovTOFlz-H6K4UZ981ne5dYXOm9fvTBmNtaTP0ER1HK_5la0OYnRGYSspGgq6X1WTuaBGoi4/s320/IMG_0094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWujq4sudhcRh40Yd1dUeYji8dPRvpZmAAvC7xEIXP1uABLXoMR8Omhk5NGvAxDqWwwPhFqJQQZ7YWBxwGbcwFhhWDSvMuADDRiGeTUhBjbqVbKEuSccN6RGa9O24PZ1_k479fWg2neJY/s1600/IMG_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWujq4sudhcRh40Yd1dUeYji8dPRvpZmAAvC7xEIXP1uABLXoMR8Omhk5NGvAxDqWwwPhFqJQQZ7YWBxwGbcwFhhWDSvMuADDRiGeTUhBjbqVbKEuSccN6RGa9O24PZ1_k479fWg2neJY/s320/IMG_0104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iD823zHOZvnuJO_zMCbDpmVdQf0fj9fpa70znRNMwzb0VZGbELOM9k-Q5uNPtnFjpU5vbbThtg5Ggs5JRrDZKZw66POE59SHF2xOinYtrKna0OvNM_izwvuJgGhDW-3NrgdJJB9XPK8/s1600/IMG_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iD823zHOZvnuJO_zMCbDpmVdQf0fj9fpa70znRNMwzb0VZGbELOM9k-Q5uNPtnFjpU5vbbThtg5Ggs5JRrDZKZw66POE59SHF2xOinYtrKna0OvNM_izwvuJgGhDW-3NrgdJJB9XPK8/s320/IMG_0099.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprLKJB5sNtrx3oSjyeSPmKO8KtE_NIIfiOGL6nwz0JsT47xS67LZ3ABMJVUmu1dZyNJxnvbeSaTk9V5uZevt_C-1ILywSBiM1GnALkYGrcMj9CGxd-U8NTKurpsktcMaFehKBPoDezsM/s1600/IMG_0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprLKJB5sNtrx3oSjyeSPmKO8KtE_NIIfiOGL6nwz0JsT47xS67LZ3ABMJVUmu1dZyNJxnvbeSaTk9V5uZevt_C-1ILywSBiM1GnALkYGrcMj9CGxd-U8NTKurpsktcMaFehKBPoDezsM/s320/IMG_0366.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now all that green you see is covered with productive gardens and lots of flowers and trees. Makes a woman smile about how far her own 2 hands can get her. (With a little help from a really handy husband! Hehehe)</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-40341692479664278662012-02-15T19:41:00.000-05:002012-02-15T19:41:04.397-05:00Prepping the new beds - Flowers & Corn!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://parkseed.com/corn-bodacious-hybrid/p/05098/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://parkseed.com/images/l/5098.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I decided its best we get the ground tilled in when I want to plant the corn this year. My neighbor was kind enough to let us borrow the tiller and my husband decided to till everything in sight (I'm pretty literal on that one!).<br />
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So we have a 20'+ by 12' bed tilled in the backyard for the corn, then he decided to till around the raised beds so I could create paths there but then the bed in the front yard I keep my shrubs and flowers in looked awful small. So he added a 32' x 6' bed addition to the front of the house. Now I have my work cut out filling those beds.<br />
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I'll be spending the next month deciding on new plants for the front, and which plants and bulbs from around the house can be moved to the front. I've already got my sweet corn choice for this year, so that's good to go! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCrff7veHhft6eBfD4PMmQa8a9Yw6sfJwW6V54v9GJ2LNr0PHygEjXAXal_pAJtb8PvBxWOWCclxFk-w6yPv-IT7rSNgr17NP6axAubq0UDPfWJmWLwfWtxuhrqlYtwcC-dBWNewjg2U/s1600/02_04_2012+251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCrff7veHhft6eBfD4PMmQa8a9Yw6sfJwW6V54v9GJ2LNr0PHygEjXAXal_pAJtb8PvBxWOWCclxFk-w6yPv-IT7rSNgr17NP6axAubq0UDPfWJmWLwfWtxuhrqlYtwcC-dBWNewjg2U/s400/02_04_2012+251.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-21111413361606101602012-02-05T00:08:00.000-05:002012-02-05T00:08:08.593-05:00Lavender Vanilla French Eclairs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBLcu5UP2KLW21zN-55IOv5j0UMLIPuvUAsZW1esQDClTyguCQxI2aL_9ebYPOZq_en0-lPRHdQ46YpAPAcs-13E5CWf1Zy_is1Tzp1G-BSfMy86rQGw7Nq-HVjkYW-q9yonBy58LbMU/s1600/eclairs1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBLcu5UP2KLW21zN-55IOv5j0UMLIPuvUAsZW1esQDClTyguCQxI2aL_9ebYPOZq_en0-lPRHdQ46YpAPAcs-13E5CWf1Zy_is1Tzp1G-BSfMy86rQGw7Nq-HVjkYW-q9yonBy58LbMU/s320/eclairs1.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><br />
Ingredients:<br />
<br />
Pastry Shell:<br />
1 Cup + 1 Tbsp Water<br />
1/4 tsp salt<br />
7 Tbsp Butter cut up<br />
1 Cup (minus 1 Tbsp) Sifted flour<br />
4 Beaten Eggs<br />
<br />
Chocolate Cream Filling:<br />
2 Cups + 2 Tbsp Milk<br />
1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp Sugar<br />
4 Egg Yolks<br />
1 Tsp Cocoa powder<br />
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract<br />
2 Tbsp Flour Sifted<br />
<br />
Fondant/ Chocolate Glaze:<br />
6 oz Melted Chocolate chips<br />
2 Tbsp Melted Butter<br />
1/4 cup powdered sugar<br />
2 Tbsp Water<br />
<br />
Preheat oven 410 degrees<br />
<br />
Shell Pastry:<br />
* In a saucepan boil water & salt. Add butter in cubed pieces. When melted pour all flour in at one time, reduce heat to med.<br />
*Combine with wooden spoon until all flour is absorbed and remove from heat.<br />
*Allow to cool and slowly add eggs (these should be prebeaten and at room temp). Adding 1/2 the eggs at a time helps. When adding the second half of the eggs, I switched to a whisk, it helped a lot.<br />
*Add pastry mix to pastry bag or zip lock bag with the end cut off. Pipe onto a baking sheet that's been greased or parchment paper. (I use a silicone baking sheet.) Should make between 8-12 medium to small eclairs.<br />
*Place in oven and bake 30 minutes without opening door.<br />
*Remove and poke holes on both end of the eclairs with a toothpick. This allows the steam to escape so they don't get mushy inside.<br />
<br />
Pastry Cream Filling:<br />
*Mix Yolks, sugar, vanilla and flour in a medium bowl.<br />
*Warm the milk and cocoa in a small sauce pan until you see some steam come off the milk. Do this on med-low heat slowly.<br />
*pour milk over yolk mixture, stir to combine and the pour back into sauce pan.<br />
*Bring to a soft bowl where you'll see bubbles popping up the side of your sauce pan. After a few pops give it an easy stir and remove from heat. It will thicken more as it cools.<br />
*When cool, cut tops off of eclairs and fill with the cream and place the tops back on them.<br />
<br />
Chocolate Glaze:<br />
*Combine water and powdered sugar to dissolve and set aside.<br />
*In another bowl combine chocolate chips and butter. Put in microwave for 1 minute, stopping every 15 second to stir until melted.<br />
*Add the dissolved sugar to the chocolate and mix until combined.<br />
*Use to frost the top of the eclairs and allow to cool on counter or in fridge before serving.</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-84419558929292244702012-01-26T16:37:00.001-05:002012-01-26T16:43:39.501-05:00Planning the west side<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkA9jPhn-eG_o7ZXyklt6J-TtRxs5gJ4zNoebLHRZm1Wg3_vcZgYxKq2EounLGHi3_jnfe7xLXkNbq-2ybte5qxBA2Bc-Pqgsc9-1MxzgDHUX6K9q_SuPYKLi49QfUO1VGG3UdtPQuEcY/s1600/side_yard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkA9jPhn-eG_o7ZXyklt6J-TtRxs5gJ4zNoebLHRZm1Wg3_vcZgYxKq2EounLGHi3_jnfe7xLXkNbq-2ybte5qxBA2Bc-Pqgsc9-1MxzgDHUX6K9q_SuPYKLi49QfUO1VGG3UdtPQuEcY/s320/side_yard2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Well, the west side of my home's yard is nearly bare. My challanges have been that this side of the house gets only late day light, as well as all the home's wiring and pipes come into the house here. This leave it near impossible to know how deep is safe to dig. So I haven't touched it. I can't get close to the house either for fear of hitting the obvious wires coming out of the ground. Today, I played with some photos and came up with a plan for privacy, won't have to touch along side the house and will give the west side of the house its very own special touches. I know its rough looking, but it was a quick play around in photoshop.<br />
<br />
I'm going to see what my husband thinks, chose the varieties of shrubs and flowers and price everything before its a decision. Fencing is just NOT an affordable or attractive option to me. Just thought I'd share the rough draft. The only for sure will be a Hydrangea I rooted last year that I needed to find a spot for. Its small now, but in a few years it will be a great size, and needs a place of honor!<br />
<br />
Before/Now:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEwpzzn71usLCCi-VIi2aVLB2GXshY0OcSxjYkGIYUqcWw3dIspjRqto04tUh7pJB4IpCK4wqdM3b6pFj3I9wa4oNca5twCjjUijlkaw_LvVO3JKMUGnwqSmRb813tkZOhW-9CZ1sNe8/s1600/side_yard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEwpzzn71usLCCi-VIi2aVLB2GXshY0OcSxjYkGIYUqcWw3dIspjRqto04tUh7pJB4IpCK4wqdM3b6pFj3I9wa4oNca5twCjjUijlkaw_LvVO3JKMUGnwqSmRb813tkZOhW-9CZ1sNe8/s320/side_yard1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-6907241005877002982012-01-16T13:06:00.000-05:002012-01-16T13:06:59.515-05:00I'm such a sucker for FUZZY!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Took the daughter to our first livestock auction yesterday. Picked up some more silkie chickens, and had my heart set on filling up another coop with some new standard size hens.<br />
<br />
Instead I was tricked by the kids and fell in love with little Mini Rex Rabbits instead. We bought both, but immediately found another home for the little girl since it turned out they were a pair. We weren't looking to have more baby bunnies though, so we kept the male and the little one named him Mr. Oreo!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXt-v-RE11DbJ4a9hVPJXCzR0pSAm38KAl1a2j6w8ufp536qL-8TM54jMVPuUFb4NfKuBdVs7D4XhrrwxM6ApzQOe35HUC2c5Bk8iXZxtOXJ4P8CnZH5xyH8Bc_hVm4dxSHI5Wq7rc-FU/s1600/IMG00489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXt-v-RE11DbJ4a9hVPJXCzR0pSAm38KAl1a2j6w8ufp536qL-8TM54jMVPuUFb4NfKuBdVs7D4XhrrwxM6ApzQOe35HUC2c5Bk8iXZxtOXJ4P8CnZH5xyH8Bc_hVm4dxSHI5Wq7rc-FU/s320/IMG00489.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-5415397208634557572012-01-12T15:10:00.000-05:002012-01-12T15:10:01.906-05:00Bitter Sweet Marmalade<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibf27bm-SqF4DMd6YiKakQVPlH0w9exngmNtKLMNzJCH6_XTpnhrpz0DNpm3gWcGOYASBeICaGNWPep-_xXFVKohpbQa_0pW_yu0uJi9oAeIixj7ZSSKAccPQWhkCJRe78nyhrTdZMaOo/s1600/orange_marmalade1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibf27bm-SqF4DMd6YiKakQVPlH0w9exngmNtKLMNzJCH6_XTpnhrpz0DNpm3gWcGOYASBeICaGNWPep-_xXFVKohpbQa_0pW_yu0uJi9oAeIixj7ZSSKAccPQWhkCJRe78nyhrTdZMaOo/s200/orange_marmalade1.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />
I don't know about you, but either marmalade is TOO bitter for me, or TOO sweet. A good balance is what my palette prefers. So in messing around over the years (and multiple failures) I finally got a good set, good flavor orange marmalade. The secret.... TANGERINES!<br />
<br />
So first you get the following to balance the flavor.<br />
<br />
1 Naval Orange (Bitter, but juicy so only 1. If you perfect not bitter do all Cece or Valencia Oranges for this.)<br />
3 Cece Oranges<br />
3 Tangerines<br />
6 Cup Sugar <br />
<br />
Slice all SUPER thin and seed.<br />
<br />
Added Slices and Juices into a pot w/ 8 cups of water. Bring to a rolling boil for 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and add 6 cups of sugar. Stir until dissolved and cover. Allow to sit overnight or at least 12 hours.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ib10MXJGFTZSFy9yALfmTsHIcBiYXmbP9avcakMCuY0M3dl_ho-553ikj4PrHHKMyg4LJZB2g4QMBUWyiQJK9Q7iadAktoowhZgyO_Lp_UqbMbuO8DSUV9hyf4UvLHyNKncXP6_vBIU/s1600/marmalade1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ib10MXJGFTZSFy9yALfmTsHIcBiYXmbP9avcakMCuY0M3dl_ho-553ikj4PrHHKMyg4LJZB2g4QMBUWyiQJK9Q7iadAktoowhZgyO_Lp_UqbMbuO8DSUV9hyf4UvLHyNKncXP6_vBIU/s320/marmalade1.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Next day place back on heat, bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium low and let simmer for 2 hours.<br />
<br />
Bring back to a boil and reduce to medium to medium high heat. You need 20-30 minutes on the stove and do not temp get over 220 degrees (use a candy thermometer for this).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvecquzF7NAsj0DLPxBEU3s7IIucwkGfWKO5MhjniLPkm6rkP-ZL_saYn2t16ZJWnrBLQ3EZm1iBQV0SN2CRkk3BjDCK2IT_MeOOS1oECEVg8-ZoJP6IPVTZ9PfLoQZbswZoTrXg0XYKE/s1600/marmalade2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvecquzF7NAsj0DLPxBEU3s7IIucwkGfWKO5MhjniLPkm6rkP-ZL_saYn2t16ZJWnrBLQ3EZm1iBQV0SN2CRkk3BjDCK2IT_MeOOS1oECEVg8-ZoJP6IPVTZ9PfLoQZbswZoTrXg0XYKE/s320/marmalade2.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
When temp has held for at least a minute, check your marmalade for sheeting on a spoon. If you don't know what this is or how to check that, simply put a little plate in the freezer and drink a few drops of the marmalade on the cold plate. You want the marmalade to stiffen, push with your finger and look for the top of the drop to ripple or have a skim on top that is gel like. If it gets really hard quickly, stir in a cup of water to the mixture or your marmalade will be too hard. If its still syrupy/runny double check its at 220 and then cook for another 2-4 minutes and check again until it sets.<br />
<br />
Ladle into sterilized jars, place lids on top and waterbath for 10 minutes to seal your jars.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibf27bm-SqF4DMd6YiKakQVPlH0w9exngmNtKLMNzJCH6_XTpnhrpz0DNpm3gWcGOYASBeICaGNWPep-_xXFVKohpbQa_0pW_yu0uJi9oAeIixj7ZSSKAccPQWhkCJRe78nyhrTdZMaOo/s1600/orange_marmalade1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibf27bm-SqF4DMd6YiKakQVPlH0w9exngmNtKLMNzJCH6_XTpnhrpz0DNpm3gWcGOYASBeICaGNWPep-_xXFVKohpbQa_0pW_yu0uJi9oAeIixj7ZSSKAccPQWhkCJRe78nyhrTdZMaOo/s320/orange_marmalade1.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><br />
<div style="color: #741b47; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Enjoy!</b></span></div><br />
</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-14780352333230382322012-01-11T19:12:00.000-05:002012-01-11T19:12:11.410-05:00Fresh Baguettes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiMWGBfxVW7YPzC3YZLl9Z9zyVcMVehQRqmCSXAtk4ToCokkluHcFi-Lae8QSGn4bWGb7f7JZbOnEBOAx2wL8kl5LteFlcmXTZN5oIbp3avZIRr7RmfHw5-eIJlwdZnIyq03_fS_LJdc/s1600/baguette4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiMWGBfxVW7YPzC3YZLl9Z9zyVcMVehQRqmCSXAtk4ToCokkluHcFi-Lae8QSGn4bWGb7f7JZbOnEBOAx2wL8kl5LteFlcmXTZN5oIbp3avZIRr7RmfHw5-eIJlwdZnIyq03_fS_LJdc/s320/baguette4.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Oh how I love the crusty crunchy bread. For dipping in soups, pasta sauce or topping with my favorite cheese spreads. I also have bread baked fresh weekly. Its a healthier option and more cost effective too. I've made many attempts over the years and never quite got it right it. Everyone who listed recipes gave tips and tricks and I always seemed to miss the one where the bread got dark and the crust was hard like I love it.<br />
<br />
Now I have it down and I want to share with you.<br />
<br />
Crusty Baguettes:<br />
<br />
1 3/4 Cup warm water<br />
1 Packet Dry active yeast (not the rapid rise stuff)<br />
1 Tbsp honey<br />
4 Cups Bread Flour <br />
**Mix first 3 ingredients in bowl and set aside 10-15 minutes to active yeast**<br />
<br />
When the yeast is active and bubbly add 2 cups of bread flour in a stand mixer and combine. Add a 3rd cup now and 1 Tbsp + 1/2 tsp Kosher salt. Salt is important to flavor, but if you add it too soon it will attack the yeast and you won't get a rise in your bread. Now, depending on your humidity levels this can be tricky. Add flour 1/4 cup at a time until the dough absorbs all the flour, but is still slightly sticky to the tough. You do not want dry dough, you want slight sticky dough. So you may use up to 4 cups to get this texture, or you may use less. I'm in a humid part of the country so I have used the 4 full cups on rainy days or high humidity periods. Not always though.<br />
<br />
Now you have your dough together, add a little olive oil (1 tsp) to the bowl and place the dough back in the bowl rolling it around in the oil so the dough and the inside of the bowl is coated. Cover with plastic wrap and leave in a warm place to rise until double in size. About 1-2 hours.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4lCMNKkXOgedNKteqf63JcBJxvPzKyYhIyWKK2WmQ7cpxgr9BO82xKhD88z_GrxAGXH2xrWheESW5DUG224SB_8A4gv6IRWQMNqgGA6CBkRBp23wbAeZErCV5Q2S96Y1CS_ZyX1Q1Bw/s1600/baguette1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4lCMNKkXOgedNKteqf63JcBJxvPzKyYhIyWKK2WmQ7cpxgr9BO82xKhD88z_GrxAGXH2xrWheESW5DUG224SB_8A4gv6IRWQMNqgGA6CBkRBp23wbAeZErCV5Q2S96Y1CS_ZyX1Q1Bw/s320/baguette1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
When the first rise is done you want to turn the dough out onto a counter, either extremely lightly floured or not floured at all. Stretch your dough into a square shape. No pounding! Then fold in half one direction and then fold the right side to the middle, then the left side to the middle to create a square shaped ball. Put back into the bowl, cover and allow to rise another hour.<br />
<br />
Pour dough onto counter again and cut evenly into 4 pieces. I then take the pieces with my fingers one at a time and tuck under where you see the cut from the knife. After that, I pull and stretch it with my fingers so the dough is as long as I can get it. Do not roll like a rolling pin fashion, this won't work.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_BJtHVSVD1u3L-wD6_ycZIuxjJuSvuR9jCxl4apEb764L2AoZ7q948SIVpVQiWQir7DL_pfv-2LJ0qkNvwiJ6RZPTJqJosHNKR2RdHEdpzXH84yVfRvMtGTI7WNL3t7fUGFdM2PwBWc/s1600/baguette2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_BJtHVSVD1u3L-wD6_ycZIuxjJuSvuR9jCxl4apEb764L2AoZ7q948SIVpVQiWQir7DL_pfv-2LJ0qkNvwiJ6RZPTJqJosHNKR2RdHEdpzXH84yVfRvMtGTI7WNL3t7fUGFdM2PwBWc/s320/baguette2.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><br />
Place your long baguette dough onto a parchment lined baking sheet and preheat over to 500 degrees. YES, 500 degrees! Then cover your baguettes with plastic wrap again. This is the last rise, and it will be done when your oven reaches 500.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMWxgpsksb-Y0-xx5oooq013Pp5NbXtaYHNZh4kSQr7Y7MzpCJ0Kpw4jPOiBQKpzAjgdgueU_YL1pPr0OMMPV5RLpPn-qJJHvX8AKRa-JC_SfMXm7_avO69ov-7tPwALfVGDd7ZZtBt0/s1600/baguette3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMWxgpsksb-Y0-xx5oooq013Pp5NbXtaYHNZh4kSQr7Y7MzpCJ0Kpw4jPOiBQKpzAjgdgueU_YL1pPr0OMMPV5RLpPn-qJJHvX8AKRa-JC_SfMXm7_avO69ov-7tPwALfVGDd7ZZtBt0/s320/baguette3.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />
Now for a trick. Have a handy spray bottle filled with water on hand. This will do wonders for your crust!<br />
<br />
Time to put in the oven. You are going to lightly spray your bread with the water, and spray the sides of you oven with it to before you close the oven door. Set timer for 5 minutes. When the timer goes off, spray your oven with the water again. Set timer for 5 minutes. When the timer goes off, reduce oven temp to 425 degrees and spray the bread and the oven for the last time. Set timer for 10 minutes.<br />
<br />
Now your baguette will be dark brown and with a hard crust. You can tap on your crust and it should sound hollow so you know its done. Let cool for about 10 minutes or more before cutting. Store unused bread in the freezer and defrost on another day for fresh tasting bread. I like to pop mine back in the oven at 350 for 8 minutes right before serving so it tastes fresh baked and warm.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
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</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-13149026523641840642012-01-08T21:04:00.000-05:002012-01-08T21:04:16.445-05:00Stuffed Crescents French Toast<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TEMx95D9Iw9PGbxwD9TwJFGbmFQehyphenhyphenAWahHQ1rHkAvdIqPGHrtxHnOXzVadZ5Ek5Z5mETxT8JEiyy7kWFPqd5ieVl5SYJ3xmDSjMK7tgHNG49Wy4jctC3V1K3gfIXYyJao3NnIksobM/s1600/10-27-2011+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TEMx95D9Iw9PGbxwD9TwJFGbmFQehyphenhyphenAWahHQ1rHkAvdIqPGHrtxHnOXzVadZ5Ek5Z5mETxT8JEiyy7kWFPqd5ieVl5SYJ3xmDSjMK7tgHNG49Wy4jctC3V1K3gfIXYyJao3NnIksobM/s320/10-27-2011+027.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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My daughter and I collaborated last year to create this recipe of the Pillsbury Bake off. Sadly, it was not chosen, but it sure is good so I'm going to share it.<br />
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Ingredients You'll Need:<br />
1 Can Pillsbury crescents (the classic triangles)<br />
1/4 Cup of your choice of Jam - May we suggest <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/77650930/organic-blackberry-fruit-topping-8-oz" target="_blank">Fogl's Blackberry Fruit Topping</a><br />
4 Tbsp (4 oz) Cream Cheese <br />
1 Large Egg<br />
2 Tbsp Butter<br />
1/4 Cup Maple Syrup<br />
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You can do this on a preheated skillet on the stove top, but I prefer a counter top griddle. We set ours at 325 degrees.<br />
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Beat your egg in a bowl with 1 Tbsp of water and set aside. Open up your crescents and lay them out on wax paper to work with them easily. You want to pinch together the triangles so you make 4 equal rectangles. Like below.<br />
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Once you have your rectangles made, add a dollop of cream cheese to the right side of the dough, and then a dollop of jam. Its going to be able 1 TBSP of each per dough section.<br />
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Once you get the filling in, brush eggs with beaten egg, fold the dough over on top of it and fold the edges over and pinch. This will seal in the filling. Pick up your sealed dough with a spatula so it doesn't fall apart. Brush top of your soon to be french toast with more egg wash. Make sure you melt that butter on your cooking service to prevent sticking and ensure browning!<br />
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Top to slap those babies on the cook top! They take about 2 minutes on each side to brown and puff up. They will be more uniform in shape as they cook.<br />
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I make to egg wash both sides on the griddle top. If you need extra cooking time, you can cook one minute on each side, then egg wash again and cook 1 - 2 more minutes. After both sides are brown how to like, use the spatula to rotate your french toast onto their sides and brown the edges to ensure the dough is fully cooked through.<br />
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When all 6 edges are brown, about 5-6 minutes total per french toast... you'll have 4 beautiful golden stuffed french toasts. DELICIOUS!<br />
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Top as you prefer... maple syrup... fruit... toasted nuts... powdered sugar.... WHATEVER!<br />
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</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-28897054670897513262011-12-10T20:15:00.000-05:002011-12-10T20:15:03.636-05:00Support Fogl's Kitchen Expansion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/biscottiqueen/fogls-kitchen-preserving-the-local-family-farms%20" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nqwyr_E0c_8zoONoUMnstc9Rer633RFmdCIfgTH7yFjEMUr4_bRXvEZ-DxIwuaAmqaTxJ41CyIxwGOLE8sfU8JskejyJSuzAPhHovjGDUmKWkKE4zhNyVoMhmROGXuTSYM6pgOhZ1xc/s320/jam_sampler1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We're ready to grow and offer more support to our local farms. We continue to buy our produce locally, as well as eggs and herbs. This year we're planning to expand our storage area, buy more product up front and offer an area to hold classes open to the public. If you'd like to learn more about this expansion and how you can help, check us out on Kickstarter.com. Share with your friends and family... like us on facebook or tweet it to the world!<br />
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<a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/biscottiqueen/fogls-kitchen-preserving-the-local-family-farms%20" target="_blank">Fogl's Kitchen: Preserving The Local Family Farms Project On Kickstarter</a><br />
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Thank you for your support!<br />
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</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-35543016017138194062011-12-07T15:38:00.000-05:002011-12-07T15:38:47.367-05:00GirlieGirlArmy.com 2011 Gift Guide<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We were so thrilled to find out how loved we are at Fogl's Kitchen! Our <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60094339/jelly-lavender-floral-organic-8-oz-jar" target="_blank">Organic Lavender Jelly</a> as one of their favorite gifts for Foodies this holiday season! Go check out all the other shops and gifts that made the cut, and give something unique, handmade & eco friendly this holiday season.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://girliegirlarmy.com/lifestyle/20111206/girliegirlarmy-gift-guide-2011/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagQzZQJwskd0C8Q2xidP3y3ccpMLdCVTUQgd39rV1Nru2IAb6zp4bXzxBTM-l2h9TyclcvCfFla435RCoubVr5lWvW2Dt8iAOw017DQkFj-n5wAhQK1EEq6bxLdvsb7ld8g5hcH38nmw/s320/gga_giftguide1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-34065981776468389802011-11-22T21:29:00.001-05:002011-11-23T10:29:59.930-05:00Just in time for Holiday Baking - Vanilla Extract<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWqeWt1tJa595gLHHgccvjUi60etWZQ5uIrfO6ZXGUZnboNpKf0j9bWkHHHYP_pxv_CkC_9sXEOpIRybaRcF3hZwxTfcf2dEguvbI340aCmaT_3fXrkGzBdb5LSjAYz2jmA0JfGns8hU/s1600/vanilla_ex3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWqeWt1tJa595gLHHgccvjUi60etWZQ5uIrfO6ZXGUZnboNpKf0j9bWkHHHYP_pxv_CkC_9sXEOpIRybaRcF3hZwxTfcf2dEguvbI340aCmaT_3fXrkGzBdb5LSjAYz2jmA0JfGns8hU/s320/vanilla_ex3.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
After making a special order for 25 AAA grade Madagascar Vanilla Beans from France, <a href="http://www.specialtybottle.com/amberbostonroundglassbottle4ozwstdcap.aspx">30 amber boston 4 oz bottles</a> and customer labels from <a href="http://myownlabels.com/">MyOwnLabels.com</a>. I put it all together with some good unflavored vodka. I now have a wonderful collection of vanilla extract to share with friends, family and customers!<br />
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</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-42566093990431909942011-10-27T15:12:00.000-04:002011-10-27T15:12:07.832-04:00State Fair Competition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxkxBD7XGzw5o1y3d0JbxWTBtCx4MobstvOdVBUOP86u6p5S2Jy2BDQ1TS8TSiAHlwcd7CUfFe03woG5KblnY2C7miLCbXv28haUN4qj1g6nDWMYYd6CB3qhvMWqKlquWHd_jXjEZcik/s1600/ribbons1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxkxBD7XGzw5o1y3d0JbxWTBtCx4MobstvOdVBUOP86u6p5S2Jy2BDQ1TS8TSiAHlwcd7CUfFe03woG5KblnY2C7miLCbXv28haUN4qj1g6nDWMYYd6CB3qhvMWqKlquWHd_jXjEZcik/s320/ribbons1.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br />
<br />
So each year we make our entries and cross our fingers for a win! This year the dear daughter and I did pretty good! Getting us 5 ribbons in all.<br />
<br />
Places:<br />
<br />
1st place, Black Plum Jam<br />
2nd place, Vanilla Pear Butter<br />
2nd place, Blackberry Jam<br />
2nd place, Sweet Pickled Peppers<br />
Honorable Mention, Lemon Biscotti</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-2227740137814443002011-10-21T15:43:00.001-04:002011-10-21T15:58:31.540-04:00Stock on Chilly Days!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I know I'm in the south, and after growing up in the north, I know it's not the least bit COLD yet. However, I can't stand chilly temps. 60 degrees is way too cold for poor little me. I refuse to turn the heat on and pay those bills so early though. No heat on in this house for at least another month (I will break and get propane for the gas fireplace for chilly nights, but that's going to be rare).<br />
<br />
Since I cook, can and bake... I will use the stove since its dual purpose. I'll run it all day long as its creating bread, warming dinner or running a constant pressure canner. Today, I don't know why I'm layering on the clothes, but my body says it is not 65 in this house... the goosebumps on my arms say its more like 50 degrees in here! Well, I had to come up with something to warm it up in here before I start dinner.<br />
<br />
So today the 12 quart stock pot is out and Veggie & Herb stock is boiling away. In a few hours I'm hoping to be storing away at least 8 quarts of this amazing smelling stock to use this Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday. Its amazing that making this stock makes the house smell wonderful, heats the house as well, plus makes some of the simplest best tasting addition to so many meals! I just don't understand why more people don't make their own stock? Have you ever bothered to compare store bought to homemade? Store bought = TASTELESS! :p<br />
<br />
So here's <b>my recipe</b> (You are welcome to change it for what works for what you have on hand! Tips and tricks at the end of the recipe.)<br />
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-<i>12 Quart Pot for these amounts</i>-<br />
<br />
2 lbs Carrots <br />
1 Stalk (the whole big heart) of Celery Leaves and all <br />
4 Large Ripe Tomatoes<br />
1 Large Onion<br />
1/2 lb Broccoli Stalk<br />
6 Bell Peppers <br />
6 Cloves of Garlic whole<br />
5-10 Sprigs of Thyme<br />
Handful (~1/2 cup) Fresh basil<br />
4 Sprigs (Branches) of Rosemary<br />
1/2 Cup of Parsley<br />
6 Fresh Sage leaves<br />
2 Tbsp Kosher Salt (more or less to taste)<br />
1 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper<br />
8 Quarts of Water<br />
<br />
Bring this to a high boil, and then simmer for 2-3 hours. Strain into a clean bowl and the ladel into sterilized Quart jars (or pints). Can in a '<u>PRESSURE CANNER</u>' only. 10lb pressure for 35 minutes for the Quart size.<br />
<br />
OR Freeze in tupperware! <br />
<br />
<i>*Tips: </i><br />
<br />
1 - I save the tips and tops of carrots and celery we eat everyday. I put them in a freezer bag and stuff them away to make stock with so I don't pay for a full back of freeze veggies when I make stock. I also do this with chicken bones when we're done with dinner. I take the bones from finished chicken and pop them in a freezer bag until I have time to simmer stock all day.<br />
<br />
2 - Use any fresh herbs you have hanging around in your garden. I throw in the stems and all as they lots of good flavor in the stems, especially parsley. So if you buy these and can't grow them, cut the leaves off you need for other meals and freeze the stems along with your veggie scraps to use in stocks later.<br />
<br />
3 - Don't bother chopping your veggie neatly or even small. I give everything a real rough chop just so they fit in my stock pot. They'll get soft and release their flavors just fine.<br />
<br />
4 - Taste...Taste... Taste... You want this to be a personal adventure in flavor. Taste as you go, make changes to your liking. Be the chef!<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-81201324658809174622011-10-20T11:04:00.000-04:002011-10-20T11:04:49.229-04:00My Better Half Has Opened His Online Shop!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So during the holiday last year, people noticed my woodworking husband was busy at work creating home & garden decor from reclaimed wood items. He would dig out wasted wood and material from bins outside construction sites and other waste producing places. He rescues this good material and turns it into something useful and beautiful, and in search of a new home!<br />
<br />
If you have a place in your home or garden that needs a little something, you can find that little something here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HandyHubby">http://www.etsy.com/shop/HandyHubby</a><br />
<br />
As the season progresses the store will fill again. There are several 'signs' in the works and more spoon coat racks. This year we'll be adding more to kitchen supplies as well!<br />
<br />
Enjoy, and pass on the reclaimed love!<br />
<br />
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</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421654197280487404.post-51234336065836221492011-10-19T21:32:00.000-04:002011-10-19T21:32:30.629-04:00Halloween On a Shoestring Budget<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Well the sister couldn't get the boys their choice of costume from Walmart this year. So, it happens! But super crafty Auntie jumps in to help, and I think we hit a homerun from recycled materials.<br />
<br />
First nephew is going to be a <i><b>Jester</b> for the royal court of the house of cards</i>! With Jester hat w/ bells and a card theme pull over. Even got him a little joker baton with streamers.<br />
<br />
Second nephew is going to be a <i>Deep Sea <b>Scuba Diver</b></i>. Managed to make shift a Dr. Pepper bottle into an air tank and found a swimming facemask we were about to put away from summer. Even found some old tubing to attack to the soda bottle so he has the ability to get the air from the tank, if he really needed it! :D<br />
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Pictures to follow!</div>BiscottiQueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12229315982367560877noreply@blogger.com2