I’m so depressed…

When I read articles like this

Blue Collar, Bare Cupboards
http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/3574/blue_collar_bare_cupboards/ky

I feel so sad!  I want to cry even now, knowing so many people are going hungry.  I have not posted lately because I’m so very worried about our future.

What the heck happened?  North America was supposed to be the “bread bowl” of the world, full of prospects and prosperity.  But what has it become?  A continent full of people crying out in hunger and fear.

Something has to be done about this, and we as regular folks have to do it!  We CAN NOT depend on any governmental body whatsoever.  In that article, they were saying that governments make up 12 per cent of the food donations in the food bank!!  That is utterly ridiculous!

Yes we should keep the food banks going, but what we REALLY need is a charitable organization that collects vegetable seeds and distributes them to the needy.  And we need volunteers willing to spend the time helping others grow some food.

Just about everyone out there has SOME space to grow something.  Whether it’s a 1 meter square section, a couple of flower pots or even a window box.

I’m so mad now I cannot even think straight.

I am depressed too though.  We went to the grocery store yesterday.  I know that wheat prices are high, but didn’t realize just how much.  A 10 kilogram bag of flour is normally $6 to $8, depending on the brand.  Yesterday, EVERY 10 kilo bag of flour was the same price, almost $16.

WTF?!?!?!?

We’re having hard times making ends meet here too, like just about everyone else out there.  But we have something most people don’t and that is knowledge on how to grow and preserve our own food.  Well, to a certain extent anyway.  There are some things I don’t know how to do, like make cheese.  But that’s really secondary in comparison with the other more necessary foods.

And I know some wild plants that are edible.

So, here’s the plan.  Who’s going to join?  hehe

There needs to be a new organization that will collect and distribute seeds to the needy.  Knowledgeable people should be handy to answer questions and instruct on growing vegetables.   But most importantly, the people need to be willing to try and grow some of their own food and offset their expenses.  Yeah this might add to their daily workload, but it should alleviate some of the worry about where their next meal is coming from.

This year, let’s all make an effort to generate as many seeds as possible from our own crops.  Find needy people and reach out to them… teach them.

But, a bright side.  We’ve been through this before and survived, and we can survive again.  Just go ask someone who lived through WW1 and WW2, especially those in Britain.  There were food shortages, people went hungry, and medical care was a rarity.   But they were creative and resourceful.

Let’s dig up the history books and talk to the old folks.  Rediscover what life was like back then and get prepared.  For we are about to go through the same thing again.

The only difference between now and then was in the UK, their government ENCOURAGED people to grow gardens.  It was called Dig For Victory.  It kept many families from going hungry.  And guess what?  The “good ‘ol USA” shipped millions of seeds to Britain to help them out.

New pictures

Took a couple of new pictures.

The French Breakfast radishes are so cute! This is my first planting of many for the Grow Challenge. The others will have to wait a few more weeks.

Here’s the Mesclun/Baby lettuce mixture

Too much snow!! Look at the poor greenhouse. Almost all the plastic has been torn to shreds and the greenhouse is full of snow. I guess there will be no early gardening this year in there! For purposes of photo scale, that greenhouse measures 12 ft x 24 ft. We’re due yet again for MORE SNOW. When will it ever end??

According to weather.ca, “15 TO 35 CM OF SNOW EXPECTED.”

Joy. Can you feel my excitement?

Dig for Victory

For some strange reason, I’ve developed an urge to research how people lived during WW1 and WW2. What they ate, how they lived, and things they did to pass the time.

And not intending to be all doom and gloom, I still feel there’s something in our near future, where things are going to get much more difficult for those of us used to modern lifestyles with electricity, entertainment, and lots of food around.

I sense food shortages are not far off, or that the people will be unable to afford to purchase food. Another possibility is that fuel prices will be too high, or supplies will be limited. Which means less goods to purchase at the stores. Vegetarians probably won’t suffer much because they prefer to eat fresh, natural vegetables and naturally stay away from processed food.

It’s very, VERY important that everyone try to learn how to do basic things. Things like make soap, weave baskets, hunting, husbandry and growing vegetables. Also growing grains and grasses - all without modern machinery. Flax can be used for making linen. But also rabbits, goats or sheep can provide additional material for making clothing. If you don’t know how to cook from scratch, start reading and trying new recipes at home instead of going out to a restaurant or picking up premade junk food. Better off learning how to make do sooner rather than later. Then when things get bad, you won’t be so shocked and will fare better than those who freak out because they absolutely have no idea how to exist without being supplied. It probably wouldn’t hurt to make friends with someone who can identify wild plants that are edible, or that can be used for other purposes. Like the soapwort plant. They still use it in Europe to clean tapestries and other antique or rare fabric items because it’s so gentle.

Just for fun try to imagine a rich or famous person. They are used to the high life, going to parties, wearing fancy clothes, eating expensive food, and having servants at beck and call. Now mentally imagine the same person left out in the wilderness. Do you think he/she would be able to survive long?

I am not a vegetarian at this point, but it would probably be good to get used to the idea. Be prepared to go without eggs, or milk. Calcium and protein isn’t a problem with vegetables, for lots of dark leafy greens contain calcium, and legumes or certain grains like oats contain protein. Fats and oils might be in short supply though.

We’re thinking of raising rabbits for meat also. I have a lot to learn. Hubby will prepare the meat, but I’ll probably be the one to feed and clean up after them. Rabbits will provide manure for the compost bin, and feed the dogs. Not too sure I could eat rabbit after caring for bunnies, but am not against raising them to feed the dogs. It would be much healthier than the bagged junk pet food from the store that most people feed their pets.

Seeds will also become very valuable and might even replace money in a way or used for bartering. Stock up now. Forget flower seeds (unless it’s a medicinal plant). You will want seeds of plants that will grow quickly and are nutritious. Plants that require long growing seasons would be secondary in my opinion. But I guess that would all depend on where the plants are being grown. In some areas, multiple crops are possible due to lack of hard frost or deep snow.

Learn how to save seeds from the things you grow.

The reader may ask, well what if I have no land to grow things on? If another war is imminent, then people usually band together and work for the good of their neighbors and loved ones (ideally). Just about any available patch of dirt can be used. Dig up lawns, tear out flower beds, turn abandoned lots into vegetable beds.

I hope I’m wrong about another war. I’ve never seen war up close and would prefer not to. But I’d rather be safe than sorry and learn as much as possible now while information is still easily available on the internet and in books. It can be fun to learn new skills and gain an appreciation for our elders. Who knows, you might find a new enjoyable hobby and could save some money!

So, let’s dig for victory! Not victory for countries or governments, but for ourselves. Let’s learn how to be self sustainable. Like the old saying, if life throws you lemons, make lemonade!

Got the new seeds!

Finally made it to the post office yesterday to pick up the latest seed order. Although hubby says we have enough and I cannot order any more, I’m very very tempted to get a few things. It’s a lot of fun getting new seed catalogs in the mail, but sometimes it can cause trouble because when you browse the new catalogs you say ooh aah, I want that. LOL!!

Going to start some of the new seeds today. I’ve never grown these before, but it shouldn’t be too difficult. We have Corn Salad and Mizuna, an oriental leafy green that’s supposed to be mild. It’s all part of our end-of-winter homegrown salad stuff.

Not more than 48 hours ago, I sowed French Breakfast Radish. They’ve already germinated, sending the tap root down with lots of fuzzies, and the seed leaves are starting to emerge. WOW is that ever fast. I wish ALL veggies and flowers would germinate so fast.

My pest control officer

I’d like to introduce my kitty, my pest control officer, Linx.

Linx is VERY efficient at attacking voles and other critters who want to attack my gardens. He’s quite a character. We got him about 8 years ago from a no-kill shelter and he’s been a wonderful kitty. I just love him to bits!

Snow, snow go away!

*sigh*What did that darn groundhog see anyway? Did he even venture out to check the weather or did he say screw it and stay inside his house?

I’ll go out and take some new pictures today.

Had a huge storm a couple of days ago and it must have dumped around 3 feet of powder. A snow skier’s dream but a gardener’s nightmare. The snow from the roof fell onto the front porch roof, which then dumped off in front of the two windows at the front of the main section of the house. One window was completely covered and the other one was not far behind in snow cover. Yesterday I decided I was mad enough to try and remove some of the snow from the windows. I got one window uncovered and made my way to the other side, only to discover it was a HUGE pile. I was so mad that I forgot to take a picture before starting snow removal from the window. It got to the point where my best friend was an axe and I hacked away at ice for a couple of hours. Sore muscles, lack of energy and my husband’s beating against the window telling me I should go inside finally convinced me that I had enough work for the day.

Waiting for me inside was a nice hot cup of tea, and a sandwich. My hubby can be an angel when he wants, and a devil the rest of the time. A true Gemini. lol

Here’s the nice view from the window next to my computer desk. Lovely isn’t it?  That shadow is the snow!!  Say a prayer for the Norfolk Island pine tree, and that I can find a better place for it to get some light - and soon!

Gotta run! Need to clear snow from the car so we can drive into town and pick up the newest Vesey’s seed order from the post office.

Just joined the Growing Challenge!

Sounds like fun, growing something new that you’ve never grown before. And that fits perfectly with me because we’ve added lots of new types of veggies never grown in our gardens.

This year the things that will be new are:

Rainbow Swiss Chard
Heirloom tomatoes (have grown regular tomatoes before but never any heirlooms)
Broccoli
Summer Savory (herb)
Kohlrabi
Mizuna
Corn Salad
Butternut Squash
French Breakfast Radish
Wild leeks
Mignotte Bronze, a butterhead type lettuce (heirloom)

However, it’s WAY too early for us to be starting those seeds indoors. We’re in gardening zone 4, which means that most stuff won’t be started until April or May, depending on the type of veggie. So for now, just growing some salad greens and baby carrots inside the house just to have something fresh to eat.

Baby Lettuce starting to emerge

Out of the seeds I started on February 26, most are germinating, but only the Mesclun baby leaf lettuces have started to send out their seed leaves.

Image is a bit blurry though. I wondered why all the latest pictures were blurry. Then I saw the lens. How that lens got dirty I have no idea. It’s clean now, but will wait to take more pictures after the other veggies decide to send up their seed leaves.

These are baby leaf lettuce Mesclun mix and Spicy mix lettuce from Veseys. (Can I get a credit line going at Veseys if people buy their seeds after I showcase them? hehe) Should be ready to eat by the end of March! yum yum Gotta find my salad dressing recipes and get ready. lol

This is just the first sowing! More to come in a few days. Gotta keep a steady supply of greens going. It helps to take the winter blues away.

Today I’m starting some French Breakfast Radish. Never grew them before! It will be fun to watch them sprout and form their little roots.

Roots Politics - Planting a Seed

This article came from the Washington Post.

Source:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/27/AR2008022701082.html

Roots Politics: Planting a Seed

By Barbara Damrosch
Special to The Washington Post
Thursday, February 28, 2008; H07

I’ve been following the presidential campaign news, and I can’t believe no one has asked the big question: Which candidate will pledge to be the Gardening President? Who will be the one to take the lead in teaching food self-sufficiency and good nutrition to the American public? What a fine example it would set if the food miles traveled by presidential produce added up to zero.

Chef and food activist Alice Waters made headlines in 2000 by urging President Bill Clinton to plant a vegetable garden at the White House. “Send me the seeds, Alice” was his answer, as quoted in the St. Petersburg Times. But the plan was deemed out of keeping with the grounds’ formal style, and nothing came of it. Perhaps Hillary Clinton, if elected, would be willing to see it through.

The idea certainly has historical precedent. Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were dedicated farmers. According to William Seale, author of “The White House Garden,” the first kitchen garden at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue was installed by President John Adams in 1800 — to cut household expenses.

I contacted Rose Hayden-Smith, an expert on the history of wartime gardening and agriculture programs during both world wars, and she highlighted some of the first families’ efforts in the last century. Woodrow Wilson’s second wife, Edith, “raised sheep on the former White House lawn during World War I as part of the White House’s war mobilization effort,” Hayden-Smith noted. “Eleanor Roosevelt was a Victory Gardener, and grew beans and carrots on what had been the White House Lawn. This was going on by 1943. She inspired millions of other home gardeners in their efforts.” Jimmy Carter, another farmer at heart, paid particular attention to the herb garden.

Perhaps the time has come to bring back the Victory Garden in a new guise: as a war on childhood obesity, inactivity, addiction to highly processed food with empty calories, and the use of fossil fuels to grow and ship us our meals.

Roger Doiron, the director of Kitchen Gardeners International ( http://www.kitchengardeners.org), had a great suggestion: “We give tax breaks to people to encourage them to put hybrid cars in their garages and solar panels on their roofs, so why not a tax break to encourage environmentally friendly and healthy food production?” He likened his plan to deducting the square footage of a home office: the bigger your garden, the better the tax break. Those with no yard could deduct the rental fee for a community garden plot.

That would be one small step toward a healthier nation. But it would get my vote.

No Knead Bread

Well my first loaf of the No Knead bread turned out pretty good! I must say it was very tasty. Just had a bacon, egg, lettuce, tomato sandwich with it for brunch.

The texture was light, yet soft, with lots of big holes which reminded me of specialty bakery bread that they charge an enormous price. The crust was very tasty!

So I’ll share that recipe also, even though the guy on the video gives the recipe. I made a slight change to the recipe, however by adding a touch of sugar. In our cold climate, the sugar helps the yeast get moving.

3 cups of flour
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water

Mix all the dry ingredients together by hand, then add the water. Stir until all the flour is moistened. Grease the bowl, cover and set aside for approximately 12 hours. It should double in volume.

After 12 hours is up, dump the dough out of the bowl onto the counter with a bit of flour, just enough to be able to work the dough without it getting stuck on your counter and all over your fingers.

Form it into a nice ball. Take a clean kitchen towel and sprinkle on some wheat germ. Place the dough onto the wheat germ and then sprinkle some more wheat germ on top. Cover dough again and let it rise a second time.

Preheat your oven to 500 degrees F (or if your oven is like mine, you may have to turn it down to 475-480 F) Preheat a large cast iron pot (with lid) in the hot oven. I greased my cast iron pot though, just in case. It’s second hand and quite old so I wanted to make sure nothing would stick.

Place the risen dough inside the preheated pot, place the lid back on and slide into the hot oven. Let cook for 20 minutes with the lid on, and another 10 without the lid. This will allow the top of the crust to brown nicely.

When done, remove from pan and allow to cool on a rack. The loaf should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. It’s not a good idea to test this on the top of the loaf because it will be well browned and crusty, which might give you a false result and the middle of the dough may still be gooey. I know from experience. lol

It’s a very tasty loaf, with a totally different texture than just plain ‘ol bread loaves. This recipe has a lot more character and flavour. I think you’ll enjoy it!

I wish I had a picture of mine, but my husband sliced the loaf before it was cool because he cannot resist eating fresh bread.

Have fun making your own bread!