Cabbage Soup

We baked a ham a few days ago. As I was putting the leftovers away, I thought the broth would make a good soup. Next was to figure out what I could put in there that would be good.
 

We had some celery, cabbage and onions which would make a good start. So I heated up the broth and added some ham chunks.

  
I wanted to try some of our dehydrated peppers, along with some parsley and garlic.

 
While that was cooking, I decided a jar of our carrots from last summer sounded good. I added them to the pot, water and all, to add more liquid to the broth.

Next, in went some chopped up onion and celery.

Then I chopped up about a third of a head of cabbage. It didn't take long to cook everything up.

This gave us a quick, nutritious meal with leftovers to boot. We decided the ham broth was a little strong and needed to be diluted more. I added another cup or so of water to the soup before I put it in the frig. When I heat it back up I will add a diced potato. That should absorb some of that strong flavor as well.

There are so many different meals that can be made simply from things you have on hand. Our only problem is figuring out what to call them so we can give this post a title, otherwise they would forever remain nameless. We hope to soon be able to get our fresh vegetables from the garden instead of the store. There are several different things we want to try preserving this summer to extend our ability to eat homegrown food. We'll see how it goes, and share with you along the way.

Until next time - Fern

Some Spring Sightings

How does that song go? May showers bring spring flowers? Or something like that. Maybe April showers? You know what I mean. Spring is a time of growth and beauty. There are so many things coming to life, blooming, sharing their wonder for all to see. Here is a feast for your eyes, nose and soul.

A few days ago, we got quite a rain.

The herb bed was under water again. But this time, it didn't wash away.

Snap peas

A swallow that comes back year after year. Her nest is bigger this year.

She always builds in the same place, up in the corner of the porch.

Comfrey

Some of the beets are almost ready to harvest.

My new chamomile is blooming.

Purple hull peas

The little branch that runs through the back yard.

The kale has gone to seed, but it's covered with these bugs and will become chicken feed.

Crookneck squash

Privet has beautiful flowers which will provide berries for the birds.

Clover

Grapes

Funny walking onions

A pretty weed

Sage

Honeysuckle

Frank has been commenting for days about how beautiful the flowers are that are just starting to come out. When he walks down our little country lane in the quiet morning air, the birds are singing, the flowers are beautiful and the honeysuckle is just starting to share it's delicate fragrance. He enjoys this time very much. Take time to smell the proverbial roses in your life.

Until next time - Fern

I can't get rid of this little box. So please do not look at it, and maybe it will go away.

A Strawberry Scarecrow & Sweet Potatoes

Last year the birds discovered our new strawberry bed and ate the one or two berries we let grow. It was easy for them to sit on the fence to select the next course for their meal. Now that we have some berries growing, it's time to see if we can deter the birds. I don't usually buy whirly-gig things for decoration, but I actually like this one and it has marbles. It even comes with a few extras just in case I 'lose my marbles', which I have been known to do from time to time.

I have heard of people using old CD's, no not certificates of deposit, which are losing value quickly these days, but computer CD's. Except for buying the occasional computer program or music CD, most people don't use these anymore. With the advent of flashdrives and direct downloads from the internet, CD's have quickly become obsolete. Well, we have a spool of unused CD's that have been sitting around for a number of years, so I thought now I could put them to good use. All I need is a couple of old socks and some fishing line.

I wanted the socks to protect the cherry trees I am using for end posts. I figure if I hang the CD's across the strawberry bed, it will keep the birds away.....maybe. It's worth a try anyway. First I cut the toe off the sock, then cut it down the whole length. This way I can wrap it around the fishing line several times for cushioning. 

Then I wrapped the sock/line around each tree and tied it off, creating a kind of clothes line effect. This will easily hold the weight of the CD's, but hopefully not the weight of a bird.

 
From here I tied a line to the CD's using the hole in the middle. I thought about drilling a hole by the edge of each one, but then I thought the more wobbly the better. They still twirl about in the wind, which I hope will keep the birds away.

I tried to keep them up high enough that they won't be in my way when I want to work in the bed, but low enough to deter birds. We will see if it works.

 
Next, I wanted to plant a few sweet potatoes. We grew a nice patch of sweet potatoes last year, but then found out we really don't eat very many. I also agree with some other folks recommendations that it is better not to let them vine out all over, like I did, because then you have small potatoes everywhere the vine goes, and that's a lot of digging.

So this year I am planting a few of our potatoes from last year that have sprouted in these large wooden planters. I think it will look nice, since sweet potatoes have beautiful vines. Then at the end of the summer, I can harvest the potatoes right out of the pots. It also gives us more room in the garden for other things.

The growing season is upon us and everything is green and lush. We're getting plenty of rain to get everything off to a great start and school is almost out. Things are heating up all over the world, regardless of the season. Keep your eyes open, stay alert, and evaluate the information that is out there for yourself. Don't take the words of the talking heads at face value. How will you get information when the talking heads are gone? Make sure you have your radio communications in order. The seasons of our world are changing and we will have to adapt, one way or another. Be ready.

Until next time - Fern

Herbal Remedies for Stress

I've been working on my 'Herb Bed Harvest' data so I can keep track of when to harvest my medicinal and culinary herbs. As I read and write, I keep running across herbs that are good for anxiety, nervousness and stress. This makes me think of the things happening in the world that are adding to our uneasiness. So, even though I have not tried these remedies, I wanted to share this information with you.

In no particular order, here are some herbs you may find of interest.

• Catnip - infusion from dried leaves can be used for a digestive aid, tonic, sleeping aid, a mild nightcap; not for pregnant women
• Chamomile - infusion for insomnia
• Basil - infusion of dried leaves for nervous headaches, anxiety
• Hops - make a sachet of dried herbs and put inside your pillowcase or infusion before bedtime for stress, anxiety, tension and headaches
• Lemon Balm -  infusion for anxiety, depression, tension, restlessness, irritability
• Valerian - roots used for chronic anxiety, insomnia, nervous exhaustion, premenstrual tension
• Oats - have many benefits and are good for depression, stress, nervous disorders
• Pumpkin seeds - high quantities of zinc, iron, calcium, B vitamins, proteins which help with brain functions and help deal with stress
  

There are many other herbal remedies that are indicated for stress, nervous tension and insomnia, but I wanted to stick with some basic, mostly familiar choices. I find if I try to branch out too far, I don't get anywhere. If you try to do too much at one time, you can get overwhelmed real quick. So, here is some very basic information that can form a foundation for further research and experimentation.

Planting chamomile

Catnip

Out of the plants I have listed, we have recently planted catnip and chamomile. We have used chamomile tea for years, but now we hope to grow our own. Catnip will be a new herb on our shelf.

Basil 2013

Lemon Balm 2014

We started basil and lemon balm last year. This will be our first year to harvest the lemon balm and the basil has yet to come up again.

Cushaw squash 2013

We don't grow oats or pumpkins, but we do grow other winter squashes. I know the goats and chickens will eat the seeds and we have roasted pumpkin seeds before. I haven't really thought of them as something I should consciously keep. This year I will share them with the animals, but keep some for us as well.

I started growing hops a couple of years ago. Then when we tore down the old shed, it had to move into a pot on the porch for a while. I have decided where it's new home will be, but it hasn't moved there yet. Most folks ask why I grow it, to make beer? No, for it's sedative properties. I know that times will get hard, and would like to have something available to help us weather those times a little easier.

I hope this gives you something to think about. What can you do naturally to decrease the stress of your family? What can you provide that is sustainable? When life becomes a matter of survival, having a few things on hand to help everyone relax a little may be a life saver. I don't think any of these remedies will come anywhere close to replacing prescription medications some folks take on a regular basis. But if a time comes where prescription medications are no longer available, or there is a long-term disruption of availability, some of these simple herbs may help in some small way.

Before you use any herbal remedies, you need to do your own research and form your own conclusions. This information is in no way a replacement for needed medical attention. Peaches are very good for you, but the pit can kill you. If you choose to add herbs to your medicine chest, do so with good common sense and a solid base of information. It's something to think about.

Until next time - Fern