Mother Earth News

I just my copy of the October November issue of this magazine. I think it is fabulous! It has much information about garlic this month as well as instructions to construct several simple greenhouses. We've decided to build one, perhaps this fall or winter. Not sure yet with $$$ being in question. However, I still want to suggest this magazine to anyone interested in being Green, gardening or understand the sciences involved in how those things work.

Plus, there are a few pages of some fabulous looking recipes as well.

It is a very diverse magazine.

http://www.motherearthnews.com

Thank you!

I want to thank everyone who has been following my blog, and inviting friends. I have big plans for this blog for the end of the year and going into 2010. I will still be sharing my work in my garden and we are trying to become more green friendly in our everyday life. We're slowing turning our small acre in a way to create sustainable living for our family and animals. I have to say its a HUGE change from living in a Condo in a major city just over a year ago!

Please, look forward to me sharing patterns for sewing, more tips for gardening, more eco friendly tips AND I would like to start adding some giveaways. Its been a pleasure meeting new people here every week. Whether you found me from etsy, facebook or twitter I want to thank you for the follow, your comments and your help when I need it!

Picked out my object for the Eco Challenge I have issued!

Come look here to see about joining my eco challenge. The rules and dates are posted there. (To join you must be a member, Patron accounts are free so sign up and join the challenge.. there are PRIZES!!!)
EBSQart Forum Eco Challenge Thread

I picked out my pieces of 'soon to be trash' so they may have a second life!

Soon I will be posting my creation so the other challengers may see. I, of course, do not qualify for the prizes... but you do!!!

Snakes, Ducks and Chickens... Oh My!!!

First I run across this monster in my garden! 4 ft of crazy monster! Man did I run. I found out it was only a rat snake, but it was coming out of my garden past my chickens (I highly doubt they aren't interested in chickens) so I had to chase it with a rake.

Then after that event I stumble across where my duck has been hanging lately!

So my silly duck lily has been laying eggs!!! She didn't come back after I discovered it though... and 2 1/2 hours after I discovered it, I came back and noticed a few missing eggs. I also found an broken apart VERY empty duck egg shell by the pond. So I candled the eggs in my bathroom, found 5 were developing. 3 weren't and they ended up going into some fried rice for dinner. The 5 developing one's have moved into my chicken coop where my silkies are now doing their job!

Forbidden Fruit: Quilty Apple

Some of you may or may not have seen this in the June/ July edition of Mary Jane Farms Organic Magazine. Its a pattern for an apple using an old quilt or blankets. I ended up actually patchworking some fabric swatches together and making a faux quilt to make this little apple out of. I had to get some help with the pattern, but once I got it down I got it done!

I also included the pattern and instructions for anyone interested in trying it. Its very easy to sketch. (Long straight end is 6" long to give you an idea of proportion.)

 

 

 

To finish this one off I used a button at the bottom rather then just knotting it. I also used some fabric ribbon as a bow rather then a ribbon leaf. Which I may add a leaf anyways. Still thinking about it.

Ok though, seriously, I need to get back to the Queen Size quilt and stop putting it off.

Beans, Beans... the magical fruit...

Well, not really! But it seems like magic. I was told when I planted my beans I should expect them to be producing the first week or 2 of august. About that time I noticed my very healthy looking, very tall pole beans were covered in flowers! How exciting?! Sadly, they did not produce a thing. :( I waited and waiting and watched as flowers fell on the ground and one bean would develop here and there. Never more then I could possibly snack on in the garden, maybe 5 would be ready at a time. I would take DAYS for me to get enough for just one meal. (A family of a 3!)

Finally, this week they picked up and now I'm getting about a 1/2 gallon bucket worth a day. So I made some for dinner, and now I am going to freeze the rest in gallon freezer bags. I don't have pressure canner, so this is the best way to be safe.

After I'm done with the beans, if time allows I'm going to mix me up some caramel candied apple preserves! Mmmmm!!! I've been looking forward to these.

The quilt that's driving me mad!

I haven't shared my work on this for two reasons... its not my best work and its for someone REALLY special. So this is a HUGE deal. I didn't want it to leak out to them what they'll be getting for christmas. But I wanted to share a little bit of it for now. 

Its about 50" either way so far, its going to be a Queen size when done.

 

It just drives me CRAZY how crooked the center squares are, even though I fixed it to where I am now. We all live and learn. I've only been doing this for a year or so, and NOTHING nearly this large.