Independence Days Update

We participate in Sharon Astyk’s Independence Days Challenge.  Here is our update for the week.  I must say that I appreciate the weekly updates, as I may not have planted anything in the ground this week had the challenge not motivated me to do so.

Plant something—leeks.  I didn’t get anything else in the ground this week.

Harvest something—the first of the cucumbers, zucchini, green tomatoes, and bell pepper; we also picked lettuce, green onions, yellow onions, a few peas, beets, parsley, oregano, dill, basil, thyme, mint, and lambs quarters

Preserve—I put borsht, turnip greens, and green onions in the freezer.  I dried some dill.

Waste not/reduce waste—We continue to use the rain barrel, compost, and recycle.  I thinned butternut squash and gave the thinnings to friends for their garden.  I cleaned out the fridge and freezer.  We collected more rainwater in buckets from a few heavy rains this week.  Our daughter was thrilled with the hand-me-down shoes, videos, and clothes she was given from friends at church.  She doesn’t watch much television and kept saying about the Sponge Bob shoes, “Look at my cool cheese shoes, Momma!” 

Preparation and Storage—My hubby is working on cleaning privet out of a garden bed in hopes that it might be another flower or vegetable bed next year.  He continues to work on plans for the playhouse. He hilled the potatoes and added the last of the boards on the potato boxes.  I added raisins to storage and bought 2 months worth of local cheese for the fridge.   I began planning for fall garden and bulb order.

Built Community Food Systems--I passed lettuce on to friends from the garden and CSA.  I taught a friend how to make hummus and yogurt.  I met with a church friend to iron out plans for our July food preservation class.  I am planning a mozzarella and yogurt making class for July as well.  I bought for the food pantry at church and organized it some.  I handed out pamphlets about Angel Food Ministry.  We gave friends bamboo for stakes in their gardens.

Eat the food—We made a black raspberry version of the Easy Cobbler recipe I put on the blog.  We are looking forward to fried green tomatoes tonight. Yummy!