tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63696787114654317842024-03-12T23:31:16.795-04:00Adventures in AgriburbiaFrom suburbia to agriburbia. Turning my lawn into a micro farm one square foot at a time.Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-89708102931470295982013-01-25T23:01:00.000-05:002013-01-25T23:01:17.066-05:00Eggplant EvaluationIt's seed starting time in the Carolina Piedmont, which means I need to evaluate what worked last year. Let's evaluate eggplants! <br />
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Last summer I planted three eggplants: Lista da Gandia, White Lightning, and Black Beauty. I had one plant of each. Here's how they stack up against each other.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Lightning and Lista de Gandia</td></tr>
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<i>Taste</i>: To be honest, I am not an eggplant expert. I couldn't detect a difference in taste. I use eggplant in Indian dishes, baba ghanouj and eggplant parm. There are so many different spices in these dishes I can't tell one eggplant from the other. They all come out even on taste (i.e. they taste like eggplant).<br />
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<i>Appearance</i>: The Lista de Gandia (the purple one above) is very pretty. The White Lightning (also above) and Black Beauty (not pictured but think of eggplants in the grocery store) are average.<br />
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<i>Productivity</i>: Lista de Gandia was a pretty skimpy producer. Both Black Beauty and White Lightning beat the pants off of it. I think I may have gotten a <b><i>total</i></b> of 5-7 eggplants from the Lista de Gandia while Black Beauty and White Lightning had 5-7 eggplants on them at any given time (see the photo below)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Beauty is a great producer</td></tr>
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<i>Pests and diseases</i>: All three seemed to fare the same. While the flea beetles feasted throughout the season all three outgrew the damage. I was lucky yet again and none of them got hit by disease (one of the few plants in the garden I can say that about).<br />
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Given my experience last year I think I will grow Black Beauty and White Lightning. No plans for a third but that always seems to change as I look through the Tomato Growers catalog and see all of the cute little eggplants!Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-39881478963066792232013-01-21T14:02:00.001-05:002013-01-21T14:02:24.776-05:00She's Back!Wow! It has been way too long since I posted. Seems that I overcommitted last semester and had to let the blog (and the garden) lapse. Bad Coral!!!<br />
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The weather and my schedule finally cooperated and allowed me to get into the garden yesterday. I realized how much I missed getting my hands dirty and blogging about it. I took inventory of what needs to be done and decided to bump the garden up on my priority list.<br />
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Time to start some seeds and pull some weeds! More later....Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-10976355099455912122012-08-22T22:01:00.004-04:002012-08-22T22:01:37.654-04:00Leaping LizardsOkay, this one did not actually leap, but the title was catchy! Found this lizard hanging out on the bean trellis. He has had some sort of run-in with a predator because his tail is missing. <br />
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These guys only just showed up in the yard 2 years ago. I am guessing our winters were too cold prior to then for them to overwinter.<br />
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He is a welcome addition to the garden. He looks like he will make a mighty bug eater.<br />
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Anybody know what kind it may be? I am guessing a brown anole.Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-45097734028331451732012-08-20T08:14:00.000-04:002012-08-20T10:19:40.465-04:00Harvesting VermicompostOur big harvest this week wasn't veggies. Instead, it was our first batch of vermicompost!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harvested vermicompost</td></tr>
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Last fall my husband repurposed an old cupboard that we pulled out of our laundry room. It was about 2' wide and ran floor to ceiling. He drilled holes in the bottom and added some dividers so it had 5 compartments. <br />
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Fast forward to this spring when I ordered red wigglers, aka composting worms. I didn't do enough homework and didn't ask the right questions. As a result I got worms and packing material (1 lb. total) instead of 1 lb. of worms + packing material. Oh well, live and learn.<br />
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After the worms arrived I added torn newspaper and cardboard to one section of the worm cupboard. I then added the worms and fed them kitchen scraps for the next 3 months.<br />
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I was very happy to see that my worm herd had increased substantially. I had planned to weigh them but the batteries in the scale died. You can also estimate weight by volume. A cup equals about a pound of worms, which is about 1,000 worms. They were a mucous-y mess, though, and I couldn't bring myself to use a measuring cup from the kitchen. Of course I would wash it but I would always know they had been in there! I would estimate that there are 1.5-2 cups of worms in the pile above.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vermicompost in recycle bin</td></tr>
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I was shocked at how much vermicompost they had made. It didn't look like much in the bin but I harvested almost a small garbage can full!</div>
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I divided the worms and now I have 2 compartments in the worm cupboard going! After the next harvest I hope to have all 5 in production.</div>
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Pop on over to the Harvest Monday bloghop at <a href="http://daphnesdandelions.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Daphne's Dandelions</a> to see what everyone else is harvesting. Probably more veggies and less worm poop!Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-62111474192307773802012-08-17T15:57:00.004-04:002012-08-17T15:57:59.764-04:00Costata Romanesco Zucchini ReviewAfter reading rave reviews about Costata Romanesco zucchini I decided to try it this year. I am usually ambivalent about zucchini. I plant it. I get a few and then it dies about 1 month into production from SVB. Honestly, that is fine with me. I do not love zucchini so I don't miss it once it is gone.<br />
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Not this year. I have been very impressed with Costata Romanesco and will definitely plant it again next year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/12-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Costata Romanesco Zucchini" border="0" height="307" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/12-1.jpg" title="Costata Romanesco Zucchini" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Costata Romanesco Zucchini</td></tr>
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Here is why:<br />
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1.) <i>Squash Vine Borers (SVB's)</i>: It has done very well against SVB (note: I am not saying it is immune or resistant). SVB's are around. I have seen the moths and the white scallop that is inter growing with the zucchini has them. I haven't done SVB prevention or surgery and I still have a thriving zucchini vine well over 10 feet long 4 months after I planted it. This is unheard of for me. Maybe I just got lucky? Maybe not?<br />
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2.) <i>Taste</i>: I will admit that I am not a zucchini connoisseur and only note a slight difference. However, three people who have eaten it commented on the flavor without being asked. They said it was the best zucchini they had ever eaten.<br />
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3.) <i>Production</i>: It is very prolific. Since it is an heirloom it probably produces less than hybrids. However, we have gotten over 95 lbs. this summer (and one vine is still going strong). That is more than enough for us. We pick an average of 1 good sized zucchini every day or so.<br />
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4.) <i>Disease</i>: It has had powdery mildew since early July and is still producing. I sprayed with Serenade once and then decided I was sick of zucchini and it would be alright if it died. Production has dropped (from 1 day to 1 every other day) but it is still going strong!<br />
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The only negatives about it are that it is a very big plant and the zukes go from manageable size to baseball bats overnight (especially if you get a good rain). Honestly, these are not really negatives in my book so that is why Costata Romanesco is getting a place in the garden next year.Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-58556014727814903362012-08-10T11:45:00.004-04:002012-08-10T11:45:53.520-04:00Annie's Salsa RecipeA few weeks ago I posted photos of some of the stuff I canned. A few people asked for recipes so I thought I would share one in this post. This recipe is for Annie's salsa. I stumbled upon the recipe on GardenWeb's Harvest Forum where it is legendary. It was developed by the now famous Annie who was awesome enough to pay to have it tested. I tried it a few years ago (but did not can it) and it lived up to the hype. It sort of tastes like Pace Picante sauce (but better).<br />
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<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/AVvXsEimpV1HCkA8taF_NKErGWjVTQOcGirV1M1ZbGo5Ar9WleppQf5ZCzs62JnWmn7M3lnUDekYeCArWWUgIib1xQZKG42KyTkKRcZZ-YXE-f2YbpZdqNQdcmUqQ_Bwm7T0RYgG2uu48EjirlZn/s1600/Family%2520Catalog-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Annie's Salsa" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpV1HCkA8taF_NKErGWjVTQOcGirV1M1ZbGo5Ar9WleppQf5ZCzs62JnWmn7M3lnUDekYeCArWWUgIib1xQZKG42KyTkKRcZZ-YXE-f2YbpZdqNQdcmUqQ_Bwm7T0RYgG2uu48EjirlZn/s640/Family%2520Catalog-5.jpg" title="Annie's Salsa" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie's Salsa</td></tr>
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<i>Annie's Salsa Recipe</i></div>
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8 cups tomatoes, peeled, chopped and drained<br />2-1/2 cups onion, chopped<br />1-1/2 cups green pepper, chopped<br />3 - 5 jalapenos, chopped<br />6 cloves garlic<br />2 teaspoons cumin (For taste only. Can be reduced or left out)<br />2 teaspoons ground black pepper (For taste only. Can be reduced or left out)</div>
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1/8 cup canning salt (For taste only. Can be reduced or left out)</div>
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1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (Can be reduced. DO NOT INCREASE)</div>
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1/3 cup sugar (For taste only. Can be reduced or left out)</div>
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1 cup 5% apple cider vinegar (Can substitute equal amount bottled lemon or lime juice)<br />2 cups (16 oz.) tomato sauce (For texture only. Can be reduced or left out)<br />2 cups (16 oz.) tomato paste (For texture only. Can be reduced or left out)</div>
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Mix all ingredients, bring to a boil and boil for 10 minutes. Pour into hot pint jars, seal and process in a boiling water canning bath for 15 minutes.</div>
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Makes about 6 pints (do not can in quarts)</div>
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Notes: You can alter the type of peppers as long as you do not have more than 1 3/4 cup total of peppers. If you want hotter use more jalapeño/less green pepper. You can also sub types of peppers (serrano for jalapeño). The key is that your total combined amount of peppers does not exceed 1 3/4 cups.</div>
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Not only does Annie's salsa taste good but it has been tested and is safe for canning as long as you follow the directions. Don't alter it outside of the parameters noted above. Remember you can always tweak it after you open and refrigerate it. I leave the cilantro out when I can it and add it when I open the jar. We also add a little fresh lime juice.</div>
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For a thorough discussion of the recipe, including answers to many FAQ's, check out <a href="http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/harvest/msg0714362724598.html" target="_blank">this post</a> in the Harvest Forum.</div>
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<br /></div>Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-18466171816693415002012-08-06T18:06:00.001-04:002012-08-06T18:16:27.826-04:00PumpkinheadIts Harvest Monday again but I am running short on time. Also, still not motivated to take more tomato/zucchini/eggplant, etc. photos. So I thought I would instead show you what my son snuck into his small garden in the front yard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/CodyPumpkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/CodyPumpkins.jpg" width="383" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son and his pumpkins</td></tr>
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Seems he was able to grow pumpkins this year. He won't admit that he actually planted them. We don't grow pumpkins and have never had a compost pile in that area so the idea that it is a volunteer is highly unlikely. He probably knew I would tell him they would get too big so he planted without asking. Seems he has already figured out it is better to beg forgiveness than ask permission.<br />
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I am pretty surprised he was able to do this since we always get SVB's. Makes me wonder if I should try my hand at some winter squash next year!<br />
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I have no idea what kind these are or what to do with them. Looks like we have a lot of pumpkin pie, bread, and soup in our future! Suggestions about what to do with these are greatly appreciated.<br />
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Pop on over to <a href="http://daphnesdandelions.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Daphne's Dandelions</a> to check out the Harvest Monday blog hop.</div>Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-14244622559063135282012-08-04T00:53:00.003-04:002012-08-10T20:15:19.614-04:00My Jaime Lee Curtis GardenBack in 2002 Jaime Lee Curtis did a photo shoot where she wore no make-up, didn't have her hair done, was photographed without strategic lighting or poses, and wore regular clothes. In short, she was photographed like a real person. Somehow seeing her like this made me feel a little bit better about myself.<br />
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Well, I have decided to show you my Jaime Lee Curtis garden. Most garden photos show gorgeous, flawless gardens. Perfectly straight rows. Not a weed in sight. Healthy green foliage and perfectly shaped produce. I have now learned to spot some of the photoshopping that goes one (especially in garden magazines). Also, seems most people have more time to weed their gardens before they take a photo than I do (I do not begrudge them this, I envy them).<br />
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This is what my garden looks like now.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The upper left quadrant has solanaceous crops; the upper right has cucurbits (now jut squash and zucchini); lower right are legumes, and lower left is sweet potatoes.</td></tr>
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It is not pretty. It does not look like the headers on blogs or photos in magazines and catalogs. The plants are overgrown and the paths have disappeared. The zucchini has grown all the way to the neighbor's fence so we cannot mow around the garden. There are more than a few weeds. Also, lots of the plants are showing their age.</div>
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But...I love my little garden. It has produced so well this year. I feel bad that I have not done better by it but it has been so hot I spend as little time in it as possible. This is what a real garden looks like (especially if you work and have kids)! Maybe this photo will make someone else feel a little better about their garden.<br />
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</div>Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-40576705522446514742012-08-02T11:53:00.002-04:002012-08-10T20:16:33.977-04:00Itsy Bitsy Spider- Not!Spiders in the garden are a good thing. They don't eat your plants but they do eat bugs (some of which eat your plants). Every year I have some spiders in the garden. This year is no exception. The only problem is that I have 2 of these smack dab in the middle of the vegetable garden!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/Gardenspider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="argiope aurantia, black and yellow spider, garden spider, writing spider" border="0" height="366" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/Gardenspider.jpg" title="argiope aurantia, black and yellow spider, garden spider, writing spider" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my 2 garden spiders with two meals in her web.</td></tr>
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This is argiope aurantia. You may know her as a garden spider, a writing spider, or a corn spider. You have probably seen these since they are found throughout the continental U.S. and one of their preferred habitats is the garden! Females (which are the big ones) get as large as 28 mm (that doesn't include the legs). Males are teensy weeny and you probably don't notice them.<br />
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Turns out she is harmless to humans. When threatened she is much more likely to duck and run than sink her fangs into us. In fact, you really have to be messing with her to get bitten. If she does bite, she ranks up there with a bee sting (or at least that is what the literature says, no way I am going to test that out).<br />
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Somehow, this knowledge doesn't bring me comfort when I have to go near her web. I hate big spiders. They totally creep me out. It is a small comfort that it does not have fur. I don't mind snakes, roaches, bats, etc. (which is not to say I like them). When I have to pick something near one of these the hair on my neck and arms stands up and my stomach starts churning. <br />
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We have, however, worked out a compromise. As long as they do not touch me, I will not touch them (with a big, long stick). Hopefully, we can all get along!Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-32160442287336640152012-07-30T09:36:00.000-04:002012-07-30T09:40:33.828-04:00Harvest Monday-7/30It's Monday, which means it is time for harvest Monday, hosted by <a href="http://daphnesdandelions.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Daphne's Dandelions</a>. Pop on over and see what everyone is harvesting!<br />
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I needed a break from taking photos of tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, eggplant, tomatillos, and squash. So...I decided to show you what I have been up to. It has been so darn hot I have been neglecting the garden (and it shows). <br />
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I have still kept plenty busy. Canning. Yep, you read that right. Canning. I got over my irrational fear of canning and have started to put up our surplus. Here is what I have put up so far!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyF2YC5zxbqIltutB2B8KdXAExkth3aHx60RArO5SWNuqrQYrbmYQYITjNvLUprW7jqQrTTdCLAbjfj44WBY7ZYCZm7Z9g61-UXPoSNPJo_sbzo_3NM4Rob3bdubDWVScEkuBGraZalgLI/s1600/Family%2520Catalog-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyF2YC5zxbqIltutB2B8KdXAExkth3aHx60RArO5SWNuqrQYrbmYQYITjNvLUprW7jqQrTTdCLAbjfj44WBY7ZYCZm7Z9g61-UXPoSNPJo_sbzo_3NM4Rob3bdubDWVScEkuBGraZalgLI/s400/Family%2520Catalog-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pepper Jelly</td></tr>
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I made 6 1/2 pints of pepper jelly. I think this may be the main reason I am invited to potlucks! People often ask if I will be bringing this. I use the recipe in the box of Sure Jell for hot pepper relish (though it is really pepper jelly).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpjt1hBzPJLXtDYL0p9D7czpVThmJBIgCsNnqaULqD8uc4UsF5vWsYp2PSq9GNhzrsTtXBpnJZuBSjke-LPA05DWcPrucs-UQpcbXwxI7sn2yQt5ZcDoACL3KNCWzmisA-2pIZ6RBxD-C/s1600/Family%2520Catalog-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpjt1hBzPJLXtDYL0p9D7czpVThmJBIgCsNnqaULqD8uc4UsF5vWsYp2PSq9GNhzrsTtXBpnJZuBSjke-LPA05DWcPrucs-UQpcbXwxI7sn2yQt5ZcDoACL3KNCWzmisA-2pIZ6RBxD-C/s400/Family%2520Catalog-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellie Topp's chunky basil pasta sauce</td></tr>
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I also made 9 pints of Ellie Topp's chunky basil pasta sauce. I find that while the recipe says it makes 6 pints, I get 3+ pints. Probably because I am using heirloom tomatoes (instead of paste). That would mean my 8 cups of heirlooms have more liquid, which cooks down more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVQGhYTyHpGJWf6OhBiYpmI6Dyjk-EPbQm-oOqYa271oMXL6_3mIY5eEswRBv-CZHEcpyYMR7e1RHozSyGUYQUhMSOAITWSGc9n4OqoAN56FUi9Y6w1rbIMLDkxfJpZgQYhgyTJkQfX6H/s1600/Family%2520Catalog-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVQGhYTyHpGJWf6OhBiYpmI6Dyjk-EPbQm-oOqYa271oMXL6_3mIY5eEswRBv-CZHEcpyYMR7e1RHozSyGUYQUhMSOAITWSGc9n4OqoAN56FUi9Y6w1rbIMLDkxfJpZgQYhgyTJkQfX6H/s400/Family%2520Catalog-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie's salsa<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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The first thing I canned was Annie's salsa, which seems to be the gold standard for canned salsa. I had made this before but we always ate it right away. So far I have made 15 pints. I leave out the cilantro, preferring to add it fresh when I open the jar. I will probably make one more batch this week.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqI447v1GS4G9y7MbUW9zxUQeQ8Zwnka671bsMDV-ChXYDx-Ypoi70TMZC1lZFCvSkUtvOuaomnV3mYH1BXld2UUOhU1XkJlTflDJlXZCGfSdK-jIyRaLm1dtG91xvxa6P5XQF82ujWwK/s1600/Family%2520Catalog-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqI447v1GS4G9y7MbUW9zxUQeQ8Zwnka671bsMDV-ChXYDx-Ypoi70TMZC1lZFCvSkUtvOuaomnV3mYH1BXld2UUOhU1XkJlTflDJlXZCGfSdK-jIyRaLm1dtG91xvxa6P5XQF82ujWwK/s400/Family%2520Catalog-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ball's sweet pickle relish</td></tr>
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I also tried my hand at pickle relish. I got 4 pints, when the recipe said 8. I ended up throwing out a lot of the brine. I would have had jars with 1/10th relish and 9/10ths brine. This batch was still very soupy. I think I still need a lot of practice making relish!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1fwB3XcM1f0Z9ob4mw9lx9wqwzJC1uuYJmDcxbPtdo0jS8bG3l_Q4irjz0MELk7ST-j3mGrYt5ZtBXFrtR5VJ3wZlZAmseyb9MDcJZMWP9aVf4aMwk-him0eEfdljZBKGTh4XjuEX_tX/s1600/Family%2520Catalog-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1fwB3XcM1f0Z9ob4mw9lx9wqwzJC1uuYJmDcxbPtdo0jS8bG3l_Q4irjz0MELk7ST-j3mGrYt5ZtBXFrtR5VJ3wZlZAmseyb9MDcJZMWP9aVf4aMwk-him0eEfdljZBKGTh4XjuEX_tX/s400/Family%2520Catalog-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linda Lou's kosher dill pickle</td></tr>
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I made 5 pints of Linda Lou's kosher dill pickles. I think the white rind looks kind of cool.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXYBhtBLVphgE0aj6Df1vj-mKZKf3_6n07BQV_4cHBL8TAphjYWUePqrOSE1kngnudtaN315AN9XMT-Sfx-H82S-riCCOBfsf3YBHl7x1Z-lKkJTxr2zfUtrwKa5L20b4-ukzNFAVX07H/s1600/Family%2520Catalog-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXYBhtBLVphgE0aj6Df1vj-mKZKf3_6n07BQV_4cHBL8TAphjYWUePqrOSE1kngnudtaN315AN9XMT-Sfx-H82S-riCCOBfsf3YBHl7x1Z-lKkJTxr2zfUtrwKa5L20b4-ukzNFAVX07H/s400/Family%2520Catalog-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salsa verde</td></tr>
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And finally I made some salsa verde today. I do not can this since almost every review I have read of canned salsa verde says it is too tart. We ate this batch with chips! Tomatillos freeze well so I just throw them in a bag with a few jalapeños and freeze it for when I want salsa verde in the winter.<br />
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This week I am going to try my hand at zucchini relish (hopefully it works out better than the cucumber relish) and tomato sauce!<br />
<br />Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-72007409732183571292012-07-28T13:23:00.001-04:002012-07-28T19:30:13.077-04:00A Moment of ThanksThis year has been my most productive summer garden in years. It is a combination of continual garden expansion, good rains, and well let's face it, luck. Since I started weighing on June 25 we have gotten over 380 lbs. out of our 35'x35' plot! While this is the first year I have weighed our produce I know we have not approached this amount in the past.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1115.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "tomato table"</td></tr>
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At times this feels very overwhelming. I will admit, sometimes when I look at the "tomato table", as it has come to be called, I inwardly groan. That's the tomato table in the photo above. I know it is not pretty, but I am keeping it real. I also have a fridge full of cukes, squash, zucchini and eggplants that need a final resting place. I often choose not to think of those.<br />
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I can barely keep up with processing everything. I am often up until midnight waiting for something to finish cooling so I can store it, pull it out of the canner, etc. Last night I dreamed I was chopping veggies for canning!<br />
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That feeling quickly passes, however, when I think about how many people are struggling this year with their gardens and more importantly, their farms. Drought and heat are taking their toll throughout the country. I worry that this may be how things are more and more in the future. This year I got very lucky and I know and appreciate it!<br />
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I also think about all of the people in this country who struggle to get enough food. I know that, overall, I have been very lucky in my life so far. For this I am thankful.<br />
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After these realizations I look back at the tomato table and give thanks. Thanks for all that I have in my life. Thanks for having such a bountiful year. Then I pull some of my best specimens and set them aside to share with friends, family, and those who are not as fortunate as we currently are.<br />
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Thank you Mother Nature for blessing me this year. Please send some rain to those who need it. Happy gardening everyone!<br />
<br />Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-33578411070998489662012-07-25T12:09:00.003-04:002012-08-10T20:15:58.338-04:00At First BlushTo vine ripen or pick at first blush? Seems there is a lot of contention in the tomato growing world about when exactly to pick your tomatoes. There are some growers who swear they can taste the difference between a vine ripened tomato and one picked at first blush and left to finish ripening off the vine (<i>note: this is different than picking a green tomato and using ethylene to turn it red, which what they do to most of the tomatoes you get in grocery stores during the off season</i>). The scientific studies I have seen, however, say there is no difference in taste between the two. Studies claim that as long as the tomato blushes before you pick it and you let it ripen naturally, it tastes the same as one that ripens on the vine.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today's tomato harvest</td></tr>
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I am one of those folks who pick at first blush. I have not always been that way. I used to let mine ripen on the vine. Recently, however, I have encountered 3 very good reasons to pick at first blush.<br />
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<b>Reason 1: Squirrels</b>. A few years ago the squirrels discovered my garden. They love raiding it and taking a bite or two out of my juicy ripe tomatoes. Seems the have a preference for the biggest beefsteaks! They usually leave the green ones alone and go for a ripe one. If I want more tomatoes that have not been pre-sampled by rodents I have to pick them at first blush. If not, then a lot of them end up looking like the one below!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/squirreleatentomato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/squirreleatentomato.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squirrel eaten tomato</td></tr>
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<b>Reason 2: Rain</b>. I grow a lot of heirlooms and we have been getting a fair amount of rain this year. Those two factors can equal cracked tomatoes. I just hate waiting for a gorgeous tomato to ripen and going out finding it has a huge crack in it that shortens its shelf life. Picking when they blush reduces the chances that this happens. Happily, I have no photos of split tomatoes because I have been picking them early enough.<br />
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<b>Reason 3: Leaf foot bugs. </b> For the first time we have leaf footed (aka stink bugs) in the garden. One of their favorite foods is tomato. After they suck the juices out of a tomato it will form hard ugly white spots. Like us, they prefer ripe tomatoes. Picking at first blush has reduced the number of disfigured tomatoes that I have been picking.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/Leaffootedbugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/Leaffootedbugs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaf footed bugs having sexy time.</td></tr>
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So, there you have it. The reasons I pick at first blush! When do you pick?Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-85112408378934716752012-07-23T14:48:00.001-04:002012-08-10T20:16:50.150-04:00Harvest MondayThis week was another great week in the garden, though some things are starting to slow down. I am still going out and harvesting in the morning and afternoon because I always seem to miss something. Since I feel like I am posting pictures of the same old thing I will show some of what we harvested this week.<br />
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This is what I picked this morning. There are still a couple pattypans and zucchini on the vine that I will ask my son to get. I was wearing shorts and sandals and the little spines on the squash plants make me itch for hours!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1095.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This morning's harvest</td></tr>
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Here are some other photos.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>One of my two bell pepper plants is finally loaded with peppers. The other is shaded by a giant cherry tomato plant that outgrew its cage. Looks like there is some pepper jelly in our future!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bell and jalapeño peppers</td></tr>
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While one vine succumbed to SVB the other zucchini is still going strong! These were from yesterday.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/23-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/23-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Costata Romesco Zucchini</td></tr>
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We have lots of tomatoes in the garden and I pick at first blush so my harvest photos are not too pretty. Here are some that have ripened!<br />
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The German Giants are living up to their names. They are huge!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1089.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German Giant Tomatoes</td></tr>
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My favorite tomato is Cherokee Green. These are destined for some tomato jam. I hope the green color looks appetizing in the jam.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1087.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ripe Cherokee Green Tomatoes</td></tr>
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These are Mountain Gold tomatoes. We are not getting a lot of these this year. I grow yellow tomatoes specifically so we can make yellow tomato soup!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1054-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1054-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Gold Tomatoes</td></tr>
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A nice haul of pink eye purple hulls. My family loves these. I have already started looking through catalogs picking out a few more Southern peas for next year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kr6lU2Qt6zg4ipu8Bzwf8MKUwEw-lB77zQAhS00mldy8FCaiHHtd17OlI0EvQVTVtG9DP_ZKVV9WuzmospqSswyy4PM3PA7CiMY7bmHRVxhvE5q8Qfu2857wnKmOF3dEVQZCAiPwXCN8/s1600/Beens-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kr6lU2Qt6zg4ipu8Bzwf8MKUwEw-lB77zQAhS00mldy8FCaiHHtd17OlI0EvQVTVtG9DP_ZKVV9WuzmospqSswyy4PM3PA7CiMY7bmHRVxhvE5q8Qfu2857wnKmOF3dEVQZCAiPwXCN8/s400/Beens-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink Eye Purple Hulls</td></tr>
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Okay, that's enough for now. Pop on over to <a href="http://daphnesdandelions.blogspot.com/">Daphne's Dandelions</a> and her Harvest Monday blog hop to see what else people are harvesting!<br />
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</div>Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-78719329811961832182012-07-19T08:32:00.000-04:002012-08-10T20:17:20.943-04:00Common Grounds Farm StandI hate throwing away food. This comes from the 2 years I spent living Brazil. For the first time in my life I saw real hunger. Even though it was almost 20 years ago I can still remember seeing an 8 lb. 6 month old and I get a lump in my throat.<br />
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This is one of the reasons I have stressed so much since I came back from vacation and was met by 2 weeks worth of a very good harvest. I have been struggling to keep up with it before it went bad. I have done pretty good and the little bit that has gone bad is gobbled up by my worm herd.<br />
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At the same time I am quite happy to give away food. I try to grow in an environmentally friendly way. I figure the "green" veggies that I give my neighbors replace pesticide laden ones shipped from all over the world. That's a good thing in my book.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/farmstand2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/farmstand2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donation to the Common Grounds Farm Stand</td></tr>
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Needless to say I was thrilled yesterday when I received an email from the <a href="http://www.commongroundsfarmstand1.com/" target="_blank">Common Grounds Farm Stand</a> saying they would accept some of my excess. All of the proceeds from Common Grounds go to support Urban Ministry Center, which supports homeless individuals through a variety of programs. What they do not sell goes to residents at Moore Place Neighbors, one of UMC's initiatives. I am beyond thrilled to have this opportunity to share my bounty with others!Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-1227009916014894742012-07-17T10:14:00.003-04:002012-07-18T19:55:31.817-04:00Lovin' My Lazy Wife (Beans)For some reason I didn't plant beans for the first 9 years that I gardened. It doesn't make a lot of sense since they are a garden staple. I finally got my act together and planted some lazy wife beans this year. I am loving them.<br />
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<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="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1000.jpg" title="Lazy wife beans" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelled lazy wife beans</td></tr>
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Lazy wife beans are an heirloom bean that used to be very popular. They are a "greasy" bean, meaning they do not have tiny hairs on the pod, which gives the pod a greasy appearance. They are also a cut short bean because they grow so large that they crowd each other in the pod ends square off.<br />
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You can eat these a green beans or as shell beans. We tried some as green beans and did not care for them. My daughter who loves green beans ended up using them as a ketchup scoop. We do love them as a shell bean. They taste good on their own but also go well cooked up with some garlic and spices.<br />
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Why the odd name you ask? Seems it comes from the fact that they are easy to shell. That is the real reason I love these beans. My 3 year old always wants to help me out but there is not a lot she can do with the garden that won't either hurt her or hurt the garden. She has, however, mastered shelling lazy wife beans and loves doing it! I hope this is the beginning of a life long love affair with gardening for her.<br />
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<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="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So easy a 3 old can do it!</td></tr>
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The only down side to these is they don't seem to be setting beans in the heat. This is my first experience with beans so I am not <i>sure</i> that is the problem. The first planting set a ton of beans. The second planting, which flowered when they temps hit 90-100 degrees, have not set <i>any</i> beans. Oh well, we have so much of everything else that is alright. At least they are doing good things for the soil.Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-26661546124440005522012-07-16T13:01:00.002-04:002012-08-10T20:17:32.963-04:00Harvest Monday-7/15This year is a fabulous year for the garden! I am getting far more than I can keep up with. I am still trying to come to terms with the 150 lbs. of produce (yes, that should read 150, it is not a typo) that came out of the garden while we were on vacation. On top of that we are picking twice a day to stay on top of things. <br />
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<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="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/15-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/15-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning harvest</td></tr>
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Here are some of the things we are getting out of the garden now.<br />
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We are still getting some lazy wife beans.<br />
<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="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/15.jpg" title="Lazy wife beans" width="338" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lazy wife beans</td></tr>
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Last week the deer found our pink eye purple hull peas. Seems they liked them a lot. There were still plenty left over for us. This is a small picking from today. Last week we got around 1 lb. shelled.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1031.jpg" title="Pink eye purple hull peas" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink eye purple hull peas</td></tr>
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The eggplant are also cranking out produce. I came home to 12 eggplants last Sunday and now I have 5 more to dispense with!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/15-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/15-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White lightning and Lisa da Gandia eggplant</td></tr>
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The cucumbers are slowing down. When I got back they had both downy and powdery mildew. They are still giving me a few each day. I think they may last about a week more. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/Cukes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/Cukes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salt and pepper cucumbers with some relish in the background</td></tr>
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Unbelievably, the squash and zucchini are going gangbusters. I have never had them last this long before!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/15-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/15-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White scallop squash</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/15-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/15-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zucchini that I picked this morning</td></tr>
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It seems right now I am picking about 1-2 lbs. of tomatillos a day. These are tougher to give away since none of my friends and neighbors have any idea of what to do with them.<br />
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<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="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1053.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomatillos and jalapeños</td></tr>
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And of course, the best for last...tomatoes!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/15-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/15-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ripe tomatoes</td></tr>
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Make sure to visit the Harvest Monday blog hop hosted at <a href="http://daphnesdandelions.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Daphne's Dandelions</a>!Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-47307861923406040442012-07-11T18:08:00.003-04:002012-07-11T22:04:33.498-04:00Anyone Ever Feel a Little Overwhelmed?For the first time in over two years my family took a summer vacation. We visited my family in Florida for two weeks. One of the promises I made to myself and my family was that I would not worry about or check on the garden while I was gone. We did have someone house sitting for us whose main task was to pick veggies. I managed to keep my promise with the exception of one phone call I made asking the sitter to water the tomatoes and peppers growing in pots when the temps topped 100 degrees.<br />
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We had a really great time with my parents (note to self: take more vacations). I anticipated coming back relaxed and refreshed. I was also really looking forward to getting back to the garden. I definitely missed it. I knew the tomatoes would be rolling in, which is something I really look forward to each year.<br />
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Yet somehow, since we got back a few days ago I have felt overwhelmed garden-wise. We returned to a ridiculous amount of produce. We have 150 lbs. that I have to freeze, can, gift, eat. I am not complaining about such a bounty. I am just having a hard time processing it so it does not go to waste.<br />
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Our house sitter has a different picking philosophy than I do so we have some very large squash, zucchini and cucumbers. I also find myself averting my eyes from the 4'x'4 table covered in ripening tomatoes. I am dispensing with the last of the 10 eggplants that greeted me upon arrival tonight. Thank goodness the beans, field peas, tomatillos, and peppers were manageable.<br />
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I know I have to get a move on before this stuff rots but I am having a hard time bringing myself to just weigh it all! I am hoping this post (confession?) will get me motivated to make a dent in this stuff and use the canner I got for my birthday! Has anyone else ever felt this way?Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-80592555770358038492012-06-25T12:10:00.000-04:002012-08-10T20:17:45.551-04:00Harvest Saturday!?<a href="http://daphnesdandelions.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Daphne's Dandelions</a> hosts the Harvest Monday blog hop. Since we left for vacation on Saturday, the photos below are really harvest Saturday for us! Some of what we picked is the same old same old we have been getting for about a month. But we also have some new stuff coming in.<br />
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We picked our second batch of Lazy Wife Beans. We have now tried the young ones as green beans and the mature ones as shellies. I definitely prefer them as shellies!<br />
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<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="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/LWB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/LWB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lazy Wife Beans</td></tr>
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More black beauty and white lightning eggplant!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/garden8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/garden8.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Beauty and White Lightning Eggplant<br />
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Still pulling way too much squash out of the garden. Next year we are only planting one type! You can see some hid out until they got a little large.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/garden7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/garden7.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White scallop squash.</td></tr>
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<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="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/garden9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/garden9.png" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Costata Romanesco Zucchini</td></tr>
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We are now getting a nice haul of anaheim and jalapeno peppers, even though it seems I have bacterial spot for the first time. The jalapenos are shrugging it off. The anaheims are clearly suffering but still producing. The red marconi and bell peppers are getting hit pretty hard.<br />
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<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="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/garden2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/garden2.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anaheim and jalapeno peppers</td></tr>
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This is one day's worth of cucumbers. I really need to get over my fear of canning and learn to put up pickles!<br />
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<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="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/cuke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/cuke.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salt and pepper cucumbers</td></tr>
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We also finally got our first tomatoes. My fear is that they will all ripen during the next two weeks when we are on vacation.<br />
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<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="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/garden5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/garden5.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First tomatoes!</td></tr>
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We also got our first tomatillos!<br />
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<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="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/garden3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/garden3.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cisineros Tomatillos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-88011705803806617572012-06-21T16:42:00.000-04:002012-06-21T21:17:04.113-04:00Twenty Days of ZucchiniFor the past week or so we have been dealing with a zucchini onslaught. It is at the point that every time I peek under a leaf and see one I inwardly groan. I also think my neighbors are starting to avoid eye contact with me out of fear I will force more squash on them. Something has to change!<br />
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So, I am embarking on 20 days of zucchini. Each day, for twenty days, I am going to make something different using zucchini. I have combed the web and found some interesting recipes. I am already excited about this. I hope my family gets excited too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRizbeOMHHkC8QX0lhUixlIbgvqepoNIl2g1QWuOWMUxVad4WOOtNcbpa06Q-ubM8Nppy36Nm-GITOKC7LJW-yBxYPCNth46jg-73XVePTaXBHbHQ7spMlFgabXEmWSgJSZ7xd20DnnXN/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-06-20+at+5.25.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRizbeOMHHkC8QX0lhUixlIbgvqepoNIl2g1QWuOWMUxVad4WOOtNcbpa06Q-ubM8Nppy36Nm-GITOKC7LJW-yBxYPCNth46jg-73XVePTaXBHbHQ7spMlFgabXEmWSgJSZ7xd20DnnXN/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-06-20+at+5.25.33+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My zucchini Pinterest board.</td></tr>
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To help me keep track of my potential recipes I am using Pinterest. I created a board called <a href="http://pinterest.com/cbwayland/what-to-do-with-that-glut-of-zucchini/" target="_blank">What to Do With That Glut of Zucchini</a> where I can pin recipes that look like they have potential. Click on the link to check out the board and the recipes on it<br />
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<i>** Since you need an invite to join (but not view) Pinterest, let me know if you want one. Just leave a comment with your email.</i><br />
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I have more than 20 recipes on the board. I figure this gives me choices depending on my mood and what is available. I <i>will</i> try the ones that have the most comments and repins. I'll also report back to give you the highlights and lowlights.<br />
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I actually started the challenge three days ago. So far, so good.<br />
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<b><i>Day 1-Zuchini Tots!</i></b> The zucchini tots were an attempt to fool my daughter into eating a vegetable. As part of the ruse they are called "super cheesy yum-yums" in her presence. No mention is made of the Z-word. The good news is it works. They taste like tater tots and she gobbled them down. The downside is they stuck like crazy to a well-greased non-stick pan (all the cheese). After the 20 day challenge is over these have a place in the rotation.<br />
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<i><b>Day 2-Pink Zucchini Smoothie</b></i>. See yesterday's post for a report on these.<br />
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<i><b>Day 3- Zuchini Feta Pancakes</b></i>. These were already in our zucchini rotation. They can be a little time consuming but I love them. The family is lukewarm about them, except for my daughter. Someone mentioned the Z word in her presence and she has refused to try them.<br />
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Tonight I am thinking about the zucchini and red onion flatbread. I'll report back in a few days.<br />
<br />Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-4782057371658739132012-06-20T08:00:00.000-04:002012-06-20T16:48:02.721-04:00Things Are About to Get WeirdOkay, I have to warn you that this post may get a little weird. <br />
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Right now we are up to our eyeballs in zucchini. We are picking two to three a day. I don't like the texture of frozen zucchini and I have an irrational fear of canning (more on that in later posts). This means I have to figure out creative ways to use it (or people to foist it off on).<br />
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Since I am on a diet one of our major standards, zucchini bread from the Southern kitchen goddess Paula Dean, is not a regular option. My family is also getting pretty tired of sautéed zucchini. I do have plans for zucchini pancakes and stuffed zucchini but come on, its zucchini after all. There is only so much of the stuff that my family will eat in a week.<br />
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<a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/PinkZucchiniIngredients-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/PinkZucchiniIngredients-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Alright, now for the weird. I had a rather unorthodox idea today for how to use some zucchini.<br />
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My husband just bought a Vitamix. If you don't know what this is, it is basically a very expensive blender on steroids. It is great for making smoothies. For the last two weeks he has been throwing all sorts of things in it. He's like a mad scientist in the kitchen.<br />
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Some of his madness must have rubbed off on me. I made (and drank) a pink zucchini smoothie. Yes, you read that correctly. Pink. Zucchini. Smoothie.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/pinkzucchinismoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/pinkzucchinismoothie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink Zucchini Smoothie</td></tr>
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To make it you need:<br />
<ul>
<li>1 medium zucchini</li>
<li>1 ripe banana</li>
<li>1 cup frozen strawberries</li>
<li>1/2-1 cup milk (cow, soy, almond, whatever)</li>
<li>sweetner to taste</li>
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Just throw it in a blender, blend the heck out of it and drink. Of course, you can adjust all of the above to taste.<br />
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I warned you it was going to get weird. You are skeptical. I understand. So was I. I honestly do not know what possessed me to throw zucchini in a smoothie. I must have been possessed by the ghost of Jack Lalanne. <br />
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Believe it or not it actually tasted good. You can't really taste the zucchini, just the strawberries and bananas. True, it is not on par with a strawberry milkshake. But it is a great way to get more veggies and to use up some zucchini.</div>Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-86684835004261023332012-06-18T08:34:00.001-04:002012-06-18T08:34:30.245-04:00Harvest Monday, June 18This week the garden is still pumping out produce at a respectable rate. In addition to the zucchini, squash, cucumbers, anaheim peppers, and white lightning eggplants that we have been getting for a few weeks we also got some new veggies. We picked our first bell pepper, two black beauty eggplants, and some lazy wife beans.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/harvestmonday6-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/harvestmonday6-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today's harvest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>What became of this bounty? I am glad you asked.<br />
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The cucumbers became refrigerator pickles. My son and husband love these. I caught my son eating them for breakfast the other day. Here is the recipe for <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/summertime-sweet-pickles/detail.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">summer sweet refrigerator pickles</a> that I use.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/refrigeratorpickles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/refrigeratorpickles.jpg" title="Summertime sweet refrigerator pickles" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer sweet refrigerator pickles.</td></tr>
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I shelled the beans and will cook them for dinner. I think they are cut-short beans so I probably need to leave them on the vine a little longer next time. You can see a few below are squaring off and getting flat ends from being crowded in the pod.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_1001.jpg" title="Lazy wife beans" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelled lazy wife beans.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The zucchini went into smoothies (yes, you read that correctly) and zucchini tots.<br />
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The eggplant and anaheim peppers are going to live in the freezer for a while. I bread and bake the eggplant and pop it in the freezer. It makes preparing eggplant parmesan in the winter a snap. Just take out the eggplant (no need to thaw), layer it with sauce and cheese and bake.<br />
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I will blacken, peel, chop and freeze the anaheims for later. I love to use them in South African sweet potato stew.<br />
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We'll snack on the patty pans (and see if we can convince anybody to take some off our hands) throughout the week!<br />
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Still waiting for the first tomato (at least the first edible red tomato). <br />
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Harvest Monday is hosted by <a href="http://daphnesdandelions.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Daphne's Dandelions</a>. Pop on over, leave your link, and see what everyone else is pulling out of their garden.Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-19136325973685558932012-06-17T12:31:00.000-04:002012-06-17T12:31:02.334-04:00Psyche!Yesterday I was out doing my mid-afternoon tomato patrol and there she was. Peeking out from beneath a tomato vine, teasing me with her blush. Beautiful green mottled with pinkish red. I am sure I squealed when I saw it. I mean, the first tomato of the season is the highlight of the gardening year, right?<br />
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I reached in, picked it, and as my 14 year old would say....<br />
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Psyche!<br />
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<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="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/1sttomato-psyche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/1sttomato-psyche.jpg" width="381" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First tomato.</td></tr>
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As I pulled her off of the vine I saw it. A double whammy! Catfacing <b><i>and</i></b> blossom end rot. Now, I am not usually too picky about my tomatoes, especially early in the season. I'll just cut around catfacing. Problem is the blossom end rot actually rotted up into the tomato.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/1sttomato-psyche2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/1sttomato-psyche2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato with catfacing and blossom end rot.</td></tr>
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Oh mother nature, why must you tease me so??!!! Please hurry up and give me a tomato. Please??!!!<br />
<br />Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-86591229633743832622012-06-16T11:52:00.001-04:002012-06-17T13:48:29.281-04:00It's Been Nice Knowing You OpalkaWe had such little time together, Opalka. I feel like I hardly knew you (probably because I did not get a single tomato off of you before I pulled you). This hurts me more than it hurts you. You will be missed.<br />
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Yep, that's right. I have euthanized my first tomato of the season. My Opalka. I have heard it is a nice paste tomato. Unfortunately, I cannot vouch for that since I have never eaten one.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_0955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_0955.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First casualty of the season.</td></tr>
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I am surprised by this for a couple of reasons. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_0956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_0956.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a new one for me. Any ideas what this is?</td></tr>
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<ol>
<li>I always get more than a few tomato diseases. But they <i>never</i> take out a plant this early in the season. Even the year I painstakingly started 14 different heirlooms from seed, planted them in the garden, and then learned what fusarium wilt was (sob!!) I got tomatoes. I did not get a single one from this Opalka.</li>
<li>Number one (above) is even more surprising because I am actually trying to control disease this year. The plan was that they would last even longer this year, not die sooner.</li>
<li>I have no clue what this disease is. I am not an expert by any means but this one has me stumped. From the get go the plant had somewhat droopy branches. Not wilted mind you, just not perky and erect like the rest. I thought maybe it was just the Opalka growth habit (and it may be). Then it started showing black spots and brown veins on the top leaves. These then yellowed and died. This then moved down the plant.</li>
<li>Even more perplexing, there is another tomato very close that is pretty healthy.</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/SickOpalkaandHealthySnowQueen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/SickOpalkaandHealthySnowQueen.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Healthy Snow Storm right behind the sick Opalka.</td></tr>
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This is the second year I have planted Opalka and the second year it has done poorly. Last year the tree trimmers dropped a huge limb in the garden and Opalka was one of the casualties. This year, disease. I am pretty bummed because I have heard such wonderful things about Opalka.</div>
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How many times will I try to grow this one before I accept it is not meant to be?</div>Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-70419213494530664582012-06-15T18:05:00.001-04:002012-06-16T12:30:23.996-04:0010 Ways to Score Free Stuff for Your Garden<div>
The obsessive-compulsive part of me loves lists. They are nice, neat and ordered. They are predictable and I know what to expect. Probably means you can expect more than a few lists from me.<br />
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I am also pretty tight with a nickel. Having been raised by a frugal mother I think it is in my blood. My ears prick up at the mention of free stuff. As such, it seems fitting that my first list is about how to score free stuff for the garden.<br />
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If you have been gardening for a while you may already know about this stuff. I bother to mention it because I wish I had known about it earlier.</div>
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<li><b>Wood Chip Mulch</b>. Many municipalities and tree trimming companies will deliver wood chip mulch to you at no cost. This mulch is not as pretty as bagged and dyed mulch. It also probably won't last as long. Finally, you may not be able to control how much they deliver (you may get too much or two little). However, if you have a lot of beds that need to be mulched this freebie can save you hundreds of dollars.</li>
<li><b>Manure</b>. Composted manure is a fabulous addition to your soil. Check out Craigslist to find local farmers who are giving away manure. In my area some farmers sell it at a minimal price, though there are always a few that give away horse and cow manure. You will have to shovel it yourself but who cares? It's free.</li>
<li><b>Used Coffee Grounds</b>. Used coffee grounds (UCG's) are great for the garden. Go to your local coffee shop and ask them for their used coffee grounds. Starbucks used to have a program called Grounds for Gardeners where they bagged their UCG's and set them out for people to pick up. They don't do that anymore in my area. However, when we ask they are more than happy to bag what they have up and give them to us! Other coffee shops do the same.</li>
<li><b>Cardboard Boxes</b>. Cardboard is a great weed barrier to use under mulch (a process called sheet mulching). Worms love it and it feeds the soil as it breaks down. Grocery stores get lots of boxes that they have to pay to have recycled or hauled away. They are more than happy to give them to you if you ask.</li>
<li><b>Milk Jug Cloches</b>. If a spring frost hits after your transplants are in the garden you need to protect them. One option is to use a cloche. No need to buy an expensive (but beautiful) glass one. Instead, save empty gallon milk jugs (with the tops). Cut the bottom off and use them as cloches to conserve heat and protect transplants from frost.</li>
<li><b>Toilet Paper Rolls</b>. If you start a lot of seeds you may find yourself paying dearly for the little peat pots sold in the big box stores. Why not use toilet paper rolls instead? Stack them in a container, fill with potting mix, plant, water, and wait. You can plant out in the rolls (they will decompose quickly).</li>
<li><b>Barrels</b>. A lot of restaurants and delis get food in 55 gallon barrels. These can be used to make rain barrels, compost tumblers or for storage. Since they have to pay to have these hauled away they are often happy to give them away if you ask. </li>
<li><b>5 Gallon Buckets</b>. Bakeries get their buttercream icing in 5 gallon buckets, very similar to the ones you can buy at a big box store. Ask them for their empties and they are happy to give them away. Be warned you will have to clean them out. Get a spatula and scrape out what you can. Then throw it in the dishwasher to get the grease off. These can be used to make self watering containers or to just haul stuff around the garden.</li>
<li><b>Seedings and seeds from other gardeners</b>. Make friends with other gardeners, especially folks who start seeds. We often have more seeds than we will use. We also tend to start more transplants than we will plant (in case something goes wrong). This year I gave away 10 tomato plants that I started as back-ups in case the ones I put out early got zapped by frost.</li>
<li><b>Look for seed swaps</b>. Gardening forums, local garden clubs and even bloggers occasionally host seed swaps. You send in some of your extra seeds and get some surprises in return. This is a great way to try something new without committing to buying 1,000+ seeds (I am never going to use up all the kale and chard seeds I have purchased!).</li>
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Speaking of seed swaps, consider participating in the Get Your Greens On Seed Swap! There is still time to sign up.</div>Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6369678711465431784.post-40969361743852049252012-06-13T04:00:00.000-04:002012-06-13T10:41:31.683-04:00An Introduction to My FlockI thought I would take a break from the garden to introduce you to my flock. No, not chickens (at least not yet). My flock is what I call my yard art. I have wanted something to jazz up my yard for years. My problem was I wanted something different from the <span style="background-color: white;">ubiquitous</span> resin angels, mushrooms, frogs, etc. Not that there is anything wrong with these. In fact, I got so hungry for yard art that I bought an angel for my hosta garden. But in my heart I craved something different.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_0880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_0880.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had to have her!<br />
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My yard art problem was solved last fall when I went to my daughter's preschool craft fair. This is where "crafty" parents sell the stuff they make. Based on the name I wasn't expecting much (I envisioned tables full of crocheted pot holders, bottle cap/popsicle stick trivets and the like). Boy was I wrong!<br />
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A local artist, Amy Hart, was there selling her "found object" art. When I saw her display it was love at first sight. She had this amazing 3'x3' praying mantis that I had to have. Problem was it was already sold. I ended up buying a bird (the one above) and a dragon at her first show.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_0871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_0871.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the garden tools on this one.</td></tr>
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I was ready when the spring craft show came around. I was there when the show opened. To be honest, I was there before (I know, kind of stalker-ish). I planned on having my pick of pieces. I bought 4 more birds. Since this <i>is</i> art and I have 6 pieces I guess this makes me a collector. I can't wait for her next show!<br />
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<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="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_0834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_0834.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little one lives in the herb garden.</td></tr>
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<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="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_0835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_0835.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another recent addition.</td></tr>
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<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="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_0874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz323/cwaylandhosta/IMG_0874.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last but not least!</td></tr>
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<br />Want to know more about Amy? Here is a <a href="http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/06/08/3299068/artist-creates-whimsy-out-of-scrap.html">link</a> to an article in the local paper about her.<br />
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What kind of yard art do you have?<br />
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<br />Adventures in Agriburbiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08597160412036741050noreply@blogger.com2