Spring has Sprung

So, spring has finally decided to show it's pretty face today, here in Southern Indiana (Zone 6b). I was outside bright and early, this is the first year for me to actually be able to do this since we moved in June 2014.  I have been growing in pots and tried to create a raised garden which ended up being too shady for all the greens that I planted in it. (The garlic that over wintered there looks good and should be ready in about April) The pets played outside and enjoyed the sun too, I will show you some more of them as we go, the above picture is Silver, she is a very loving young cat.

Today I began digging a new garden spot to concentrate my herbs in, it's in an area that has quite a bit of clay but a lot of humus matter that the little red worms seemed to like because they were in every forkful I lifted and turned. They were in every size imaginable and the large worms had nice sized clitellum (egg making sacks). If you would like a fact sheet on the red worms you can find it here at the Earth Matter website. I was happy to make new little red wiggler friends because when we moved I dumped my indoor worm farm outside in my "old" garden.

Zazoo walks back and forth on the fence watching over everything and everyone, here he in in stalker mode.

Above is the columbine and to the right is the row of marigolds and the radishes. You can see the chunks of clay in the soil along with the leaf litter that I have been mowing with the lawn mower and just turning into the garden area.

I am still working out where gardens and walks will be. I spend a little time staking out my chicken yard fence so I can live within these boundaries and  see how they work before I actually get the fence up. The chickens are roaming the whole yard at the moment but this needs to end quickly because they kept coming to my newly turned garden area. I did turn some soil for them to play in away from the new garden but when I came back to gather up tools I noticed there was a fresh wallow on the marigold and radishes.

  Elsa roamed in the sunshine today too. This was her first real play outside day since her surgery when she was spayed. She wasn't interested much in me so I didn't get any pictures of her beautiful eyes while looking at me.

The man child came home from school just in time to help me plant the garlic, gee, you'd think I planned it that way. It was so nice that he was eager to help out. I have a feeling school will be getting hard to go to soon. He was excited because they are offering swimming lessons at the YMCA and he's signed up to go.

Good job planting the garlic!

Nice and evenly spaced all in a row! 

Here is the man child letting off some after school wiggles by sword (stick) fighting with bad guys (the tree). I love the nice weather when the boy can get outside and run off that steam instead of saying, "can I watch tv now?". It's easier to distract him from it when he's outside than it is when he's inside.

Here is something that might make you giggle. After we planted the man child wanted to do a little bit of a photo shoot so while he was off to get his cape I wandered out into the back yard and was delighted to find this stripe of lush green grass that was warmed by the sun.



So as I lay down and wallowed in it a bit I started thinking about it... I sat up and looked around and began to giggle, this must be where the septic tank is. You know what the old saying is, "Life is always greener over the septic tank."



Then I had the man child lay in it so I could take a picture.

Nothing quite says, "Spring" like a boy in a tree.

Christina

Raffe

Maddox

All in all it was a very good day and I got to spend the end of it with my hero!

   

Peace,
      Kirsten

Bird Feeding Zone

When we moved here we put a lot of stuff in storage and my gardening things were some of them which included all of my bird feeders. Now I have some really nice ones so I acquired one more... but when it didn't seem like the birds realized it was there I knew I needed to have more feeders. I looked about and came up with some ideas that could get me through and this is the first one.                                                                                                                                                                      



 I used a large plastic pretzel container I had saved and then I found this plate in the camping box, it is also plastic.


I put three holes in the bottom equal distance apart using a high heat glue gun and a paring knife. I then put some Original Gorilla Glue on it and weighted it down with a heavy book.


The next morning I reinforced it with three self tapping metal screws. I wrapped the top with 20 gage wire to hang it up with.





 and filled it with Black Oil Sunflower Seeds.

I hung it out in an oak tree and the birds began to come.


If you build it they will come.

Tuffed Titmouse

Cardinal

 This is a dark eyed Junco (male)

 This is a Tuffed titmouse again

This almost looks the same but then again it looks different.

Predators: Remember to hang your feeders high when planning your Bird Feeding Zone.

The Chickens have found the Bird Feeding Zone too...

This cardinal has taken charge over this feeder, he has been chasing the chickadees away when he feels like feeding. That is why I filled the second feeder so they won't have to go too far while he is around.

I have really enjoyed watching the birds over the last few days. As I see more birds I will add them to the page as they come along. Also, this is just a spur of the moment Bird Feeding Zone. I will plan one out this winter and create it in the coming summer. Please share with me any and all your birding secrets.

Peace, Kirsten

I got some of my bird identification from wonderful this page.

January is New Beginnings

This picture was taken last year at this time when we were looking to buy this house and property. 

It doesn't look so shabby this year, the lawn is now mowed through this space.

Today is January 8th, 2016. I am getting excited already for spring. One of the signs that spring is coming have happened; my solar lights that have been dark for a while began to glow last night, after a long sun filled day. It is as if hope is in the air; "Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tunes without the words and never stops at all." Emily Dickinson. 

I pretty much lost the last two summers in the way of gardening. I did get in the ground a bit of greens, onions, potatoes, pot herbs and garlic last summer but the fulfilling dig in the garden time was not there. I am looking forward to it very much. I am pleasantly aware of the fact that Southern Indiana has such a short winter.

I bought a garden fork the other day. I can do great things with one of these. Most of my gardening tools and my rototiller is still being stored at grandmas in the north, the plan is to begin toting these items south this spring. It is all part of planting roots in a new place, a new homestead. The possibilities are endless. It has been quite a while since I have started a new garden... I will miss my little house in the north with its untamed English Style Garden but I look forward to starting again and creating something new. This property is like a blank slate, I have found only a few planted things; hosta, ajuga and some purple cone flowers.  It will all be new and fresh. Starting over is hard and a new beginning harold's the end of something else.  

I have met some wonderful new people since I have moved here but I have noticed that people my age (not too old but old enough) are a bit set in their ways. They have lives, friends, family and even though they are gregarious and quite friendly they aren't completely interested in rearranging their world to create space for a new friend. I understand this but it doesn't really change the fact that I miss my bff, the one who can finish my sentences and show up at my house at 5 am in her jammies and make a pot of coffee, if I don't already have one going. I am a social creature and even though my friend is the sister of my heart she is 407 miles away and isn't available for visits. This doesn't make me any less lonely and do I understand it isn't about loyalty, it's about moving forward and being open for new friendships. Now taking applications for BFF; must love coffee and digging in the dirt. Having a creative spirit and a solid opinion are great assets! Apply over coffee! "A single act of Kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees." Amelia Earhart

I struggled with the fact that when we moved we were leaving family behind. We are missing out on the daily growth of the children and grandchildren. I think when my son and his family moved away to New York for a better opportunity for their success, it made me realize that we did not need to stay in a spot where we were unable to thrive. I am grateful for cell phones and skype! I love all of my family who are miles from me and I miss them deeply but I do understand they have the purpose of living their lives too.


Everyday is a new day full of great things to come and I look forward to sharing them with you.

How about you? Have you had new beginnings? What things did you do to prepare and accomplish them? Are you contemplating a new beginning? I would love to hear about your new beginnings and the steps involved.

Peace, Kirsten

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Photos by Kirsten Hughes Photography

DePauw, Indiana

Old World Bread

Old World Bread

 

I got this recipe from a friend who used it with home ground wheat flour. Very good.

Here is the original recipe the way it was given to me. 

3 1/2 cups flour (1/2 can be whole wheat)

2 teaspoons non iodized salt

1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast

Stir with fingers.

Add 1 1/2 cups non-chlorinated water

Stir with a wooden spoon.

Cover and let sit at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours, the longer the better.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Form loaf and place in roaster/dutch oven sprinkled with cornmeal.

Cover and cook 30 minutes.

Uncover and cook 10-15 minutes more.

What I did.

After the dough sat on the counter overnight in a covered bowl I found it was a bit sticky so I used a few Tablespoons of flour around the edges so I could get it out of the bowl and then I formed it on a parchment covered baking sheet and slashed the top. Covered it again for an hour and let it rise.

I placed the bread in a 400 degree preheated oven and set the timer for 30 minutes.

Which was perfect.

I love the idea of making the dough the night before and I think I will try to get more into that habit so there is fresh bread in the morning instead of just for dinner. Please tell me what you think.

Peace, Kirsten

 

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Christmas Cookbook

Kirsten & Gary December 2008

I made a cookbook for my family as a gift for Christmas one year. It held all my recipes that I used every year. I also gave them out to all our friends. I took the file in and had the cookbooks printed out. I thought it would be nice if I put the file on here and you can print it out too.

Also, it's easy access for when ever I am anywhere else and I want to share a recipe.

Merry Christmas
Peace, Kirsten

2008 Family Christmas Cookbook 

Swedish Pancakes

Swedish Pancakes

2 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup butter

Combine eggs, milk, flour, sugar and salt; beat until smooth.
Add melted butter to batter.
Use 1/4 cup batter on hot frill for each pancake.
(For presentation – flip and roll up pancake, serve with sauce and whipped cream).
I love them with just butter and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

makes 10

With Love,
 Kirsten

Water Bottles

Water is good for us! We should drink lots of pure water... I do! The only thing was I was drinking it out of plastic water bottles. I was going through a case of water every week. To be honest with you I wasn't exactly worried about the plastic I was producing because... "I recycle"! My decision to look into a different way was more on the economic level... it adds up! I would go through a case of bottled water, then I would buy water at the corner store, then we would go on a jaunt and I would buy 5 more bottles at the corner store.... well, all of that was equivalent to about $600 a year. After a few years that adds up to quite a bit! Make sure you read all the way to the bottom to see what I did.

Here is the average life of a Water Bottle:

 

More Reading:  

These are now my water bottles: I fill the tea kettle and set these clear, 16 oz. EZ Cap Beer Bottles in the sink and pour the boiling water into them and seal them. They are clean for relatively soon use, they are not sterilized for long term storage. 

Photos by Kirsten Hughes Photography

Kim Chee

What is Kim Chee?

Kimchi or Kim Chee is a traditional fermented Korean delicacy which is made from vegetables including cabbage and a wide range of spices and seasonings. It is the national dish of Korea and has been a staple of their food since ages.

What's it good for?

You can go to this page and read the health benefits:
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/other/health-benefits-of-kimchi.html


When I first made kim chee, I found this recipe and used it as a jumping off point. (I had to laugh – this cook is even more loose about instructions than I am: “For amounts you can just go by feelings…”)  My family loves this. It’s spicy and crunchy and salty – a great side dish to go with meat and fish when you don’t have time to make a salad.

Kim Chee

•1 head cabbage
•3 small bunches bok choy
•3 green onions, sliced
•about 1 cup daikon, shredded (I use my veggie peeler)
•about 1 cup carrots, thinly sliced or shredded
•1.5 tablespoons Hawaiian salt or rock salt
•8-10 cloves garlic
•1″ piece fresh ginger
•1-2 tablespoons red pepper flakes (2 tablespoons makes a fairly spicy kim chee; use more or less to taste)

Chop cabbage, bok choy, and green onions coarsely and put in large bowl. Mix in daikon, carrot, and salt. Work the ingredients, pressing and smashing with the end of a rolling pin or back of a wooden spoon. This step will help the cabbage release its juices. The bulk of the greens will reduce by about half as you work it. Set greens aside; mince the garlic and ginger and stir into the cabbage along with the pepper flakes. Transfer mixture to a half gallon jar, pushing the greens down until they’re covered by juices. It will not look like you have much juice, but when you smash the ingredients down into the jar, you’ll be surprised. If the solid ingredients are not entirely covered by juices, top it off with a bit of filtered water. Cover jar with a loose cloth. Let sit at room temperature for a day, then cover and refrigerate.


This is what I did last night: 



1 head napa cabbage
1 head bok choy
3 onions sliced
1 carrot shredded
1.5 Tablespoons course kosher salt
2 cloves of elephant garlic
1/2 cup ginger bug
1 teaspoon red pepper powder
3 dried guajillo chilies - I dump most of the seeds out and don't use them in the kim chee.

Chop everything in large pieces. Put in in a large glass or stainless steel bowl. Stir it up every half hour or so mashing everything with the spoon, the idea is to make it wilt and create juice. I let it sit all night in the bowl covered with plastic wrap, stirring occasionally when I walk by it. The next morning I put it in a large glass jar and pressed down to cover all the veggies in juice. Some people leave it alone at this point. I don't, I stir it every day. You can put a lid and an airloc on it at this point but I usually cover it loosely with plastic wrap leaving a space for it to breath. Leave it out for about 5 days until you see it bubble and all the veggies have turned a bit translucent.  Pack into smaller jars and refrigerate. It's ready to eat at that point but it will stay in the fridge for up to a year (or so I am told anyway, ours would never last that long).


Other ingredients I have added the past:

radishes
raw ginger in place of the ginger bug
a Tablespoon of rice wine vinegar
cauliflower
6 cloves regular garlic in place of the elephant garlic

Day 3 of the Kim Chee.

When I opened it today I could hear it working. Notice the vegetables are becoming more clear. There is more liquid and it smells a bit raw. You can see that the red pepper powder has dissolved into the liquid. Keep stirring daily.
Traditionally the Koreans would put this in a dark covered jar and bury it for a month then dig it up and eat it.... yum!

Day 7 of the Kim Chee

You can see how transparent the vegetables have become. I put it in quart jars and put them in the fridge today.

Note: I started another batch of Kim Chee and it did not come to this state of fermentation as quickly as this batch did. The only thing I can think of that would cause this was the ginger bug I used. On the next batch I used fresh ginger instead. I remember reading to give your Kim Chee a kick start you can use a ferment in process such as the ginger bug or even a bit of whey left over from making yogurt.

So, while I am in the fermenting mood I went ahead and started a jar of Sauerkraut. It's an even simpler recipe.

1 med. head cabbage cut/shredded fine
1 Tablespoon kosher salt

Cut cabbage, sprinkle salt and begin kneading the mixture with your hands until it becomes moist.

I was pleasantly surprised that after I kneaded and pushed I had managed to get the whole head of cabbage into one quart jar.
I did put an airloc on it because sauerkraut tends to make the house smell a bit weird (who tooted?). We will check on its progress as we go but it will have to sit for about 30 days before it finishes it's process.  

Photos by Kirsten Hughes Photography

DePauw, Indiana