I have a saboteur in my house. She is a black, 10 month old cat, and her name is Phantom. It is her mission to destroy every seedling I have. I'm certain it was a black ops, because she did it without sound, in the middle of the night.
I awoke Tuesday morning to find that she had knocked over and mauled my pepper seedlings. I managed to save three, but you can imagine my upset over the incident. There were several rounds of "Bad Kitty!", but since I had gotten up extremely late, I just picked up the survivors and left the mess to be cleaned when I got home. Well I guess she showed me. I returned home that evening and she had again knock over the container with the peppers, along with the tomato seedlings. Now I have two pepper and three tomato seedlings left. I was sick. She had left them alone for several weeks, so I guess I lulled myself into thinking she wasn't interested in my little project. I have since moved my wounded greenery to another room that she can't get into. She knows they are in there and it's driving her crazy not to be able to get to them. She rolls around in front of the shut door and mews. A couple times she has body slammed the door. "Bad, Bad, Bad, Kitty!"
I know this is just par for cat behavior, but I'm a new cat caretaker and I forget that plants are one of kitty's mortal enemies. Did I learn nothing from all those comics, where Garfield ate the fern? Apparently not. The incident will be hence known as the April Massacre. I'm hoping that my surviving little soldiers will thrive inspite of their two horrible days of destruction. As for Phantom, I got back at her by giving her a bath to wash off the soil she had rolled around in. That will teach her!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Visions of a Greener Future
A greener future garden that is. Yesterday my plans changed. Due to thunderstorms, I was unable to attend the Earth Day Festival down at the River Front. I was all ready to go, but lightening made me change my mind. I can deal with monsoon like rain, but lightening, with me holding a metal umbrella, equals nervous. So I curled up on the couch and flipped through my Starting from Seed magazine. By the time the rain cleared out and the sun greeted me, it was too late to catch the bus to the festival and besides, I was pretty primed to do a little gardening.
Mom had brought me several re purposed containers and buckets of good farm soil, so I spent the afternoon mixing the farm soil with my bag of organic soil and transplanted all my starter plants to bigger containers. I can't begin to tell you how satisfying this is. Dirt under your nails and the promise of a bountiful container garden made for me very peaceful yesterday. I can't think of a better way to have spent my Saturday.
During my research into container gardening, I've discovered things like "you can crowd a container". What this means is companion gardening. You can put things like tomatoes and squash in the same container, as long as the tomato plant already has some height. This cuts down on the number of containers needed and the plants help one another out. I'll also place a marigold along with these, as a natural deterrent of squash bugs and horn worms. There is so much to remember, lately I've been dreaming of gardening. I can't complain though, as these are always pleasant dreams.
Gardening is having the extra benefit of reducing stress. As I've said before, this blog isn't just about being green, although I know that has been it's emphasis of late, it's also about having a simpler and productive life. Nothing can be simpler, than thrusting your hands in the soil and helping things grow. There is a sort of mediation to gardening. I can understand why so many people turn to this to forget about the problems of the day. I felt wonderfully tired, but on the whole, it was very restorative. I slept like a baby last night, all the while dreaming that my plants had grown into a beautiful magazine like picture of a garden. Maybe a hint of things to come? *crosses fingers*
I'd like to remind those in North Little Rock that you have received another round of notices in your mail for curbside pick up by the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. They will take clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, books, all bedding (except for mattresses), draperies and curtains, house wares and furniture, toys, games, and tools, radios and small appliances (no tvs). They ask that they be gently used items and all you have to do is put your donations on your curbside on you designated day. If you did not get a notice, you can call 501.374.6661 to see if there will be a pick up in your neighborhood, or for drop-off locations. I encourage you to donate. This is a great way to clean out that clutter and give a new home to those items, instead of them ending up in a landfill somewhere. I mean, you were probably going to put it on the curb anyway, this way it goes for a better purpose and you'll be doing something green, but in a pretty painless way.
Mom had brought me several re purposed containers and buckets of good farm soil, so I spent the afternoon mixing the farm soil with my bag of organic soil and transplanted all my starter plants to bigger containers. I can't begin to tell you how satisfying this is. Dirt under your nails and the promise of a bountiful container garden made for me very peaceful yesterday. I can't think of a better way to have spent my Saturday.
During my research into container gardening, I've discovered things like "you can crowd a container". What this means is companion gardening. You can put things like tomatoes and squash in the same container, as long as the tomato plant already has some height. This cuts down on the number of containers needed and the plants help one another out. I'll also place a marigold along with these, as a natural deterrent of squash bugs and horn worms. There is so much to remember, lately I've been dreaming of gardening. I can't complain though, as these are always pleasant dreams.
Gardening is having the extra benefit of reducing stress. As I've said before, this blog isn't just about being green, although I know that has been it's emphasis of late, it's also about having a simpler and productive life. Nothing can be simpler, than thrusting your hands in the soil and helping things grow. There is a sort of mediation to gardening. I can understand why so many people turn to this to forget about the problems of the day. I felt wonderfully tired, but on the whole, it was very restorative. I slept like a baby last night, all the while dreaming that my plants had grown into a beautiful magazine like picture of a garden. Maybe a hint of things to come? *crosses fingers*
I'd like to remind those in North Little Rock that you have received another round of notices in your mail for curbside pick up by the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. They will take clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, books, all bedding (except for mattresses), draperies and curtains, house wares and furniture, toys, games, and tools, radios and small appliances (no tvs). They ask that they be gently used items and all you have to do is put your donations on your curbside on you designated day. If you did not get a notice, you can call 501.374.6661 to see if there will be a pick up in your neighborhood, or for drop-off locations. I encourage you to donate. This is a great way to clean out that clutter and give a new home to those items, instead of them ending up in a landfill somewhere. I mean, you were probably going to put it on the curb anyway, this way it goes for a better purpose and you'll be doing something green, but in a pretty painless way.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Happy Earth Day!
What did you do to mark the day? Did you drop a can in the recycle bin? Did you car pool? Did you even know it was Earth Day? I'm guessing many of you didn't.
So what does a green girl do to go the extra mile on Earth Day? I absolutely didn't have a clue this morning when I woke up. I had thought about it all last week and I drew a blank. I'm already making such big changes in my life, that big gestures seemed kinda lame. So I just figured I'd do my normal routine and call it a day.
Funny how opportunity falls right into your lap. I was teasing a friend at work about "What are you going to do to be green?" In the conversation I told her to give me her two plastic bottles and I would put them in my bin at home. Then it hit me! We already have a recycle bin at work for soda cans, but why not one for plastic bottles. We only have one can soda vending machine, but two bottled ones. We talked about it and she is on a committee with the building's maintenance engineer, so I asked her to bring it up to him as a possibility.
So what did I do for Earth Day? Hopefully I got the ball rolling for another form of recycling at my work. Not bad for a girl that didn't have a clue this morning. It's not too late guys...........get your green on!
So what does a green girl do to go the extra mile on Earth Day? I absolutely didn't have a clue this morning when I woke up. I had thought about it all last week and I drew a blank. I'm already making such big changes in my life, that big gestures seemed kinda lame. So I just figured I'd do my normal routine and call it a day.
Funny how opportunity falls right into your lap. I was teasing a friend at work about "What are you going to do to be green?" In the conversation I told her to give me her two plastic bottles and I would put them in my bin at home. Then it hit me! We already have a recycle bin at work for soda cans, but why not one for plastic bottles. We only have one can soda vending machine, but two bottled ones. We talked about it and she is on a committee with the building's maintenance engineer, so I asked her to bring it up to him as a possibility.
So what did I do for Earth Day? Hopefully I got the ball rolling for another form of recycling at my work. Not bad for a girl that didn't have a clue this morning. It's not too late guys...........get your green on!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Baby Steps
I'm coming closer to having my garden going. I'm awaiting the appearance of first green of my tomato and pepper seedlings. Two variety of tomatoes, cherry and beefsteak. There is also two variety of pepper seedlings, bell and jalapeno. I also have planted basil, chives, and parsley, which I can't wait to use for everyday cooking. I love cooking with fresh herbs, it just makes everything taste so much fuller. When I lived in Ward, AR I had a pretty extensive herb garden, but they did not do well with the move, so I've only grown basil and lemon balm for the past few years.
Yesterday I splurged and bought some starter plants. I now have a yellow pear heriloom tomatoes, crooked neck squash, cucumbers, and banana peppers. I'm so excited about these! Next year I will get a head start and hopefully grow a few of these from seeds also. I have been reading how to harvest and preserve seeds, so I think I will be on top of things. Just waiting on the arrival of the repurposed containers my mom has collected for me and I can start properly.
I spend way too much time online, reading about natural prevention of hornworms and the like. Growing organic is hard work, but I think the rewards of not worrying about what I am introducing to my body and enviroment are worth the work. I am not a first time gardener, but this is my first completely organic garden. I find that when I go to do anything with this garden, I have to go research first, because a lot of the old ways I used will not work here. Some of the things I learned growing up still apply. Marigolds are still a good natural deterent for pest and make great companion plants for tomatoes. Manure is still the best plant food, other than compose. I just have to find a good supplier. I've also been told to look into tabacco as a natural pesticide, but after a little research, I'm not so certain this is something I want in my garden. I'll keep researching.
I've been collecting great receipes for canning. The one thing I really want to find a great recipe for is pear chow chow. Growing up, we used to get this wonderful chow chow from my step dad's friend. I don't know if I can obtain that recipe, but I'm sure going to try. To date I have not found anything near close to it, so all others pale in comparison. Yes, it was THAT good! I also want to put up some yummy salsa and maybe some chuttney. Of course I will can tomatoes and peppers. I'm not going to get too ambitious this year, but I hope to do a lot more next year. Gotta get started collecting those used mason jars. If you have some to get rid of, pass them my way.
A friend of mine suggested I don't quite look the part of farmer, so in my thrift shopping I am looking for the perfect straw hat. Surely that will signal to others that I'm a 'serious' farmer. ;) Personally I think the sweat that rolled off me yesterday morning as I was planting my seeds sould surfice. Of course I wasn't outside planting them, but inside in my kitchen, and I was sitting on a stool, but still, it was the sweat of hard work and I think that should count for something. I did remember how soothing working with soil and plants can be, so I can't wait to transfer my plants outside. But first, I need some really good sun screen before I turn into one huge freckle.
Until next time, find a way to bring parts of your life back to the basics. You'll find that sometimes the old ways were really the best ways.
Yesterday I splurged and bought some starter plants. I now have a yellow pear heriloom tomatoes, crooked neck squash, cucumbers, and banana peppers. I'm so excited about these! Next year I will get a head start and hopefully grow a few of these from seeds also. I have been reading how to harvest and preserve seeds, so I think I will be on top of things. Just waiting on the arrival of the repurposed containers my mom has collected for me and I can start properly.
I spend way too much time online, reading about natural prevention of hornworms and the like. Growing organic is hard work, but I think the rewards of not worrying about what I am introducing to my body and enviroment are worth the work. I am not a first time gardener, but this is my first completely organic garden. I find that when I go to do anything with this garden, I have to go research first, because a lot of the old ways I used will not work here. Some of the things I learned growing up still apply. Marigolds are still a good natural deterent for pest and make great companion plants for tomatoes. Manure is still the best plant food, other than compose. I just have to find a good supplier. I've also been told to look into tabacco as a natural pesticide, but after a little research, I'm not so certain this is something I want in my garden. I'll keep researching.
I've been collecting great receipes for canning. The one thing I really want to find a great recipe for is pear chow chow. Growing up, we used to get this wonderful chow chow from my step dad's friend. I don't know if I can obtain that recipe, but I'm sure going to try. To date I have not found anything near close to it, so all others pale in comparison. Yes, it was THAT good! I also want to put up some yummy salsa and maybe some chuttney. Of course I will can tomatoes and peppers. I'm not going to get too ambitious this year, but I hope to do a lot more next year. Gotta get started collecting those used mason jars. If you have some to get rid of, pass them my way.
A friend of mine suggested I don't quite look the part of farmer, so in my thrift shopping I am looking for the perfect straw hat. Surely that will signal to others that I'm a 'serious' farmer. ;) Personally I think the sweat that rolled off me yesterday morning as I was planting my seeds sould surfice. Of course I wasn't outside planting them, but inside in my kitchen, and I was sitting on a stool, but still, it was the sweat of hard work and I think that should count for something. I did remember how soothing working with soil and plants can be, so I can't wait to transfer my plants outside. But first, I need some really good sun screen before I turn into one huge freckle.
Until next time, find a way to bring parts of your life back to the basics. You'll find that sometimes the old ways were really the best ways.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Growing Pains
I haven't blogged recently, because there really wasn't anything new to tell. Mom is helping me gather containers to use for my container gardening. I've started my seedlings for two types of tomatoes, three types of peppers, and some herbs. I'm getting excited about the prospect of fresh ingredients to cook with. I have been searching my cookbooks and the Internet for exciting ways to cook my veggies, when they finally show up. My long term goal is to build a raised bed for next year's gardening and a raised mulching bed. I have a big problem with flooding in my backyard, so this is the easiest way I have found around it.
Really looking forward to this weekend! The Certified Arkansas Farmer's Market opens for the season, on April 17th. In case you are unfamiliar, this is a different market from the one in Little Rock. The CAFM, located on Mainstreet in North Little Rock, offers only products from Arkansas farms and such. A lot of the farmers are strictly organic, which is something I look for. I love this time of the year, because I can readily get farm eggs, fresh cheese, and the people are wonderful! I think the best thing I come away with is feeling of fellowship. If you are a regular, most of the farmers greet you like an old friend. Not only is it good for the body, it is good for the soul.
Another thing that I am beside myself with is the opening of Argenta Market. Opening day is April 15th. Their hours will be Mon-Sat 7am-7pm. I have budgeted some extra grocery money for my first trip, for I know I will be unable to come out of there without a mother load. I know they are still trying to get their feet under them, so I'll try to keep my expectations in check.
I have hit my first dilemma in my 'buy nothing new' resolution. I need new work shoes. Because I ride the bus and have to walk some distance, comfort is a big must. I also need them to be somewhat dressy. For the past few years I have bought Sketcher Mary Jane's. They look like cute dress shoes, but are really walking shoes! Greatness! Sadly, one of my latest pair is coming apart at one seam. I have searched for a decent used pair of comfortable dress shoes, but so far, no luck. I have very wide feet and this makes my search harder. I think I'm going to default to my sandals for now and keep looking. (That's okay, time to show off that cute nail polish I got for Christmas.) I have also toyed with the idea of having it repaired. They still look really good, except for that one corner piece, so on my list of things to consider, I'm going to call around to shoe repair shops and price a repair. Yes my friends, they do still exist. More on that as I get some facts to share.
I am currently trying to limit high fructose corn syrup in my diet. This has been fairly simple, no sodas, no mass produced sweets, but there is one area that continues to kick my butt, yogurt. I eat a lot of yogurt and I like variety. In case you haven't noticed, most name brand yogurts contain fructose corn syrup. If you look in the organic/natural foods section of Kroger on McCain, you can find two brands that don't have that ingredient, Stoneyfield and Fage. Unfortunately the selection of flavors is limited. If you guys are aware of where I can find more variety of yogurts like these, please share. I'm hoping Argenta Market will have better offerings.
Whew, for someone that really didn't have much to say, I sure have said a lot. Thanks to the positive responses. My friends , you are hysterical. The ideas of buying me a whittling knife for my upcoming birthday, so I can whittle my own shoes and one friend changing over from bottled Corona, to cans, so she can recycle better..........priceless. I love your good humor teasing, positive feedback, and great ideas. So far this has been a pretty fun project and I hope I can continue my positive mindset. Until next time, it isn't easy being green, but sometimes it can be fun!
Really looking forward to this weekend! The Certified Arkansas Farmer's Market opens for the season, on April 17th. In case you are unfamiliar, this is a different market from the one in Little Rock. The CAFM, located on Mainstreet in North Little Rock, offers only products from Arkansas farms and such. A lot of the farmers are strictly organic, which is something I look for. I love this time of the year, because I can readily get farm eggs, fresh cheese, and the people are wonderful! I think the best thing I come away with is feeling of fellowship. If you are a regular, most of the farmers greet you like an old friend. Not only is it good for the body, it is good for the soul.
Another thing that I am beside myself with is the opening of Argenta Market. Opening day is April 15th. Their hours will be Mon-Sat 7am-7pm. I have budgeted some extra grocery money for my first trip, for I know I will be unable to come out of there without a mother load. I know they are still trying to get their feet under them, so I'll try to keep my expectations in check.
I have hit my first dilemma in my 'buy nothing new' resolution. I need new work shoes. Because I ride the bus and have to walk some distance, comfort is a big must. I also need them to be somewhat dressy. For the past few years I have bought Sketcher Mary Jane's. They look like cute dress shoes, but are really walking shoes! Greatness! Sadly, one of my latest pair is coming apart at one seam. I have searched for a decent used pair of comfortable dress shoes, but so far, no luck. I have very wide feet and this makes my search harder. I think I'm going to default to my sandals for now and keep looking. (That's okay, time to show off that cute nail polish I got for Christmas.) I have also toyed with the idea of having it repaired. They still look really good, except for that one corner piece, so on my list of things to consider, I'm going to call around to shoe repair shops and price a repair. Yes my friends, they do still exist. More on that as I get some facts to share.
I am currently trying to limit high fructose corn syrup in my diet. This has been fairly simple, no sodas, no mass produced sweets, but there is one area that continues to kick my butt, yogurt. I eat a lot of yogurt and I like variety. In case you haven't noticed, most name brand yogurts contain fructose corn syrup. If you look in the organic/natural foods section of Kroger on McCain, you can find two brands that don't have that ingredient, Stoneyfield and Fage. Unfortunately the selection of flavors is limited. If you guys are aware of where I can find more variety of yogurts like these, please share. I'm hoping Argenta Market will have better offerings.
Whew, for someone that really didn't have much to say, I sure have said a lot. Thanks to the positive responses. My friends , you are hysterical. The ideas of buying me a whittling knife for my upcoming birthday, so I can whittle my own shoes and one friend changing over from bottled Corona, to cans, so she can recycle better..........priceless. I love your good humor teasing, positive feedback, and great ideas. So far this has been a pretty fun project and I hope I can continue my positive mindset. Until next time, it isn't easy being green, but sometimes it can be fun!
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