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Post by johninfla on May 18, 2012 8:50:59 GMT -5
David,
I think "Farm Dinners" would be a great topic for a book. It's just so woven in with everything I want to do: (among others in no particular order these are):
1) I want to be more self-sufficient
2) I want my children to be aware of where food comes from
3) I want my family to be strongly united with bonds of love
4) I want to pass on our family traditions.
5) I want my children to become reasonably self sufficient
All of the research points to the ritual of a family dinner being vital to so many aspects of a child's life, from reading, to drug and peer pressure resistance. I'm sure that the family dinner is symptomatic of other attitudes and activities in the family that produce these good results but it sure is a pleasant barometer.
John
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Post by Joseph Lofthouse on May 18, 2012 11:31:54 GMT -5
All of the research points to the ritual of a family dinner being vital to so many aspects of a child's life During corn season, my family would have dinner on the back porch every night... The menu was the same night after night: lots of corn on the cob, with tomato and cucumber sandwiches on whole wheat bread, and some kind of meat. We still go home for family get togethers and have that meal. |
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Post by davida on May 18, 2012 11:37:07 GMT -5
David, I think "Farm Dinners" would be a great topic for a book. It's just so woven in with everything I want to do: (among others in no particular order these are): 1) I want to be more self-sufficient 2) I want my children to be aware of where food comes from 3) I want my family to be strongly united with bonds of love 4) I want to pass on our family traditions. 5) I want my children to become reasonably self sufficient All of the research points to the ritual of a family dinner being vital to so many aspects of a child's life, from reading, to drug and peer pressure resistance. I'm sure that the family dinner is symptomatic of other attitudes and activities in the family that produce these good results but it sure is a pleasant barometer. John John, I agree totally and you stated it very well. A recipe for your "Family Dinners" book is so simple but I had never thought of it until I read it in the "Pioneer Woman's Cookbook": Take a slice of good homemade bread and cut a ring out of the center, put some (freshly made) butter in a pan, place bread in pan, crack an egg into the ring in the bread and brown bread on both sides. This is a great hit with the kids. Maybe someday, our families can share a meal together. You seem to have a fantastic family and I like your priorities. The song "Cats in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin was popular when I was in my early twenties and one of my priorities, like yours seems to be, was to spend time with the kids. David |
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Post by davida on May 18, 2012 11:47:55 GMT -5
During corn season, my family would have dinner on the back porch every night... The menu was the same night after night: lots of corn on the cob, with tomato and cucumber sandwiches on whole wheat bread, and some kind of meat. We still go home for family get togethers and have that meal. Ummmmm. Sounds great. Because of your Frosty, looks like we will be able to eat fresh corn much earlier this year. |
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Post by mnjrutherford on May 19, 2012 4:36:01 GMT -5
I got a packet yesterday with 2 varieties of red clover and a species of sugar beets.
Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris - Winter Keeper
Trifolium pratense - Cigandi (Hungary)
Trifolium pratense - Merkur (Sweden)
Today we intend to build a new raised bed. I intend to plant these 3 things in that bed with the idea of collecting & sharing the seed. I know that the beet is a bi-annual. I don't have a clue about the clover. Same with sowing. I know I'm a bit late with sowing the beets, but they'll come and put out a bit this year and do much more next year. But, what about the clover?
I'm open to suggestions about what else to put into these beds. I'm looking at dividing my lavender, thyme, and chives and putting them in. I'm thinking about also about putting in some garlic, possibly onions as well.
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Post by steev on May 19, 2012 23:53:48 GMT -5
Regarding my new tiller, I think it needs a name. Sukie or Maude are good names for a mule, but it's Italian-made. Hey, cortona! Is there a good, traditional Italian name for a mule?
I put it to work Friday and the ground was so hard and dry; I really wish I could have gotten this going one or two months ago; there were literally times when I couldn't see where I was going, I was in such a cloud of dust. I feel so much at one with my land, now that I've eaten so much of it. Nevertheless, this tiller is really going to do the job; come next rainy season, I will make great progress with much less effort (BCS please note this unsolicited testimonial; PM me for where to send the check).
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Post by Drahkk on May 20, 2012 0:19:22 GMT -5
Put up blackberry jelly on 4/26. Getting handfuls of cukes every couple of days. Put a few in a salad yesterday. Hoping to get enough at once to make pickles soon. Tomorrow we plan to cook the first dozen summer squash I've collected. Today we cleaned and ate the first corn of the season. Not mine; it's not ready yet. It was the Funks G-90 my brother-in-law planted. He believes in planting corn when the doves start cooing, and it happened in mid-February this year.
The beginnings of the summer harvest... one of my favorite times of year!
MB
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Post by olddog on May 20, 2012 9:37:39 GMT -5
Steev,
Your new tiller sounds like magic! Cant wait to hear what you name it.
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Post by 12540dumont on May 20, 2012 14:14:53 GMT -5
Steve, I vote for "Dolce" (Sweet) as in "Dolce Vita", now that you are living the sweet life.
Or you could go with "Sophia" after the movie goddess of Italy.
Cortona, your turn.
As to my homestead activities, I planted 64 peppers and 64 eggplant and have the hot peppers, beans, cukes and zukes left to transplant.
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Post by olddog on May 20, 2012 16:52:51 GMT -5
I pulled a few weeds, Brome, brome, and more brome, never seen so many species of brome. watered my little "greens" food patch (very little), and watered my new baby trees, apples and pears. Some I grafted last year, and some are seedlings.
Am going to make bread with kamut brand whole wheat flour today. Made some cookies the other day, and they were good (just chocolate chip).
This wheat is supposed to be better for people with gluten and gliadin sensitivities, and it seems like it is lower in those than conventional wheat, as you dont get an immune response from it like one does with the regular wheat. Hopefully, it will have enough, though, to make o.k. bread.
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Post by johninfla on May 21, 2012 7:02:28 GMT -5
Well, Saturday I tilled where the potatoes had been and planted some silver queen that was left over from last year. I figured it's a little late to plant but why not....it was just left over seed anyway. We have been eating pasta and lasagna made with the San Marzanos.....my wife has decided she likes them for cooking. She put some in the salad and I wasn't impressed. I like my slicers (Tropic) in a salad or even Turtle Eggs, but the San Marzanos didn't do much for me. Needless to say, because she likes them for cooking I am saving the seed for next year!!!! The zukes are about done here, I've let some grow for seed and we'll see what crossed next year. Holly sent me a bunch of different zukes and I mixed them all up. The New Red Fire lettuce I planted this year is still going strong (and we've had 90+ degrees).....nice and crisp and colorful. It makes a great salad.....I've never saved lettuce seed but when it finally bolts I think I try to save it this year. Deer are eating the leaves on my mullberrys.....I'm really getting upset at them.....I sat out the other night until dark thirty with my rifle but no luck!  John |
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Post by 12540dumont on May 21, 2012 19:40:46 GMT -5
I really despise Bromegrass. I call it nasty grass. The dog ate it and the vet cost $400. The cat ate it and the vet cost $200.
For me Bromegrass is a seek out and remove species, along with Johnson Grass, vinca, Algerian Ivy, poison oak...ohh I have a list.
I spent the better part of today weeding.
Yesterday I planted 75' of peppers and 50' of eggplant. I ground some corn this morning for pancakes, planted some upland rice, went to feed store to get medicine for a sick chicken.
quick soapbox: I absolutely cannot stand people who turn loose livestock. If it were up to me, those folks would be flogged, made to sit in the stocks in the hot sun and be pelted with rotten fruit. If your livestock is sick, kill it, take it to the vet, but take responsibility for it. DO not drive it to the country and turn it loose. Because if I catch you, you will be very very sorry.
Whoever turned loose this sick bird has cost me 14 days egg production and this farm wife is hopping mad.
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Post by olddog on May 21, 2012 21:11:20 GMT -5
about the sick bird, I will second that. Irresponsible people that do not take care of their animals make me sick.
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Post by davida on May 21, 2012 21:44:04 GMT -5
quick soapbox: I absolutely cannot stand people who turn loose livestock. If it were up to me, those folks would be flogged, made to sit in the stocks in the hot sun and be pelted with rotten fruit. If your livestock is sick, kill it, take it to the vet, but take responsibility for it. DO not drive it to the country and turn it loose. Because if I catch you, you will be very very sorry. Whoever turned loose this sick bird has cost me 14 days egg production and this farm wife is hopping mad. AGREE, AGREE, AGREE. How did the sick chicken cost you 14 days egg production? I lost a hen today but pretty certain that it was natural causes becauses feathers were everywhere. Will investigate more tomorrow in the light of day. |
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Post by steev on May 21, 2012 22:31:43 GMT -5
While I agree about people who lack the decency to deal with their critters, my own beef is with those who don't deal with their progeny, letting them grow up to have no responsibility nor balls to deal with their critters.
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