Actually, this fall it has been kinda easy because I just said, the hell with it. I usually fuss and fret over my fall crops, not wanting them to get frosted or too cold and all that. This year I just haven't had the energy and they have done fine. Better than normal really. Now, I did cover them one night when it got down around 20 F and I covered the broccoli tonight because it's supposed to be about that cold again. We have also got a plenty of rain this year. (I heard one town not far from here was 22" above normal). And I used a goodly amount of composted chicken poo and mulch on the plants this year, so that could also account for their success. At any rate, I think I've harvested 6 or 7 big heads of broccoli so far and hope to get about that many more plus maybe a bunch of side sprouts, which some of the stalks are already producing.
And I may actually get some sprouts this year!! Yayy!!! These are getting close. I have been pulling the lower leaves off, hoping the plant would put more energy into the sprouts and not leaf growth. The hens have been profiting by that also as they gobble up any greens from the garden.
I'm really hoping for a nice batch of sauerkraut this year too! I won't have it by Christmas but maybe by the end of January?? As little as I've been able to tend the garden this fall I'm just happy to have anything coming in from there. We also have regular salads from the lettuce I harvest although it's time to sow a bit more of that. I did sow some Bibb lettuce seeds a couple of weeks ago but I think they were kaput. Second time with that pack and still nothing.
And lookie!!!!! I got an early Christmas present!!! I've wanted one of these for a long time now. And I'm ashamed to admit I've had it for about a week and still haven't used it. I just don't feel up to much cooking lately but I must make something with it soon.
And speaking of cooking....I'm not so sure about the vegan thing. I do feel some better by minimizing the amount of animal protein I eat but finding an adequate substitute has been difficult. I will spare you the gory details but let's just say my stomach has not bee happy with some of what I've offered it lately. Mainly I just have NO appetite, especially for meat or cooked food. I've just been getting by on fruit, tea, crackers and salad. Oh, and a little oatmeal and some nuts. Peanut butter is pretty good protein and for some reason cottage cheese doesn't make me feel bad, so I have that with some fruit. I'm not gonna complain though because in the past few days I've seen a number of heartbreaking things in the Blogger world and I am thankful for what I do have, even if things aren't great for me right now. And I'm still hopeful that one of these doctors is going to figure out what's going on.
I also hope to do my annual Mug Giveaway for Christmas too! So ya'll be looking for that later also.
10 comments:
I bought my wife one of those about nine years ago and we love it. Our only complaint about it is that the internal gearing system inside contains all metal gears except for one plastic worm gear. (Perhaps they have fixed that in the last decade.) If you use it to knead bread for long periods of time, you run the risk of overheating the gear and then stripping it out which my wife has done twice. Fortunately I have been able to find the replacement gear and more packing grease online for reasonable prices and anyone halfway handy can repair the thing themselves in an hour or two. I've replace that gear twice in about nine years so it doesn't happen very often and now that we know what it takes, we haven't stripped one in about five years. But compared to the previous mixers I have owned over the years, this one seems to be the best value for the performance you get.
The plants are luscious, making me grumble for food this morning.
I am green with envy! What a wonderful machine "Santa" bestowed on you. Daughter too has one; IN FACT, both daughters have one now. Guess I'm kicked off Santa's Good Girl list, eh? Hope you become perky, healthy and wise real soon and can make us a batch of lovely yeast rolls. I can almost smell them now. Cheers to you on this, my oh-so-cold morning. Always tickled finding your new posts.
Looks like those sprouts are well on the way to being dinner! Must be nice!
Broccoli sure does look nice, though!
Thanks for the update!
Hey Ed! Yeah, everybody I know that has one of these, of whatever model, really loves them. I'm looking forward to many years use from this one and I'll keep that in mind about the gear. Thanks for mentioning.
Hey sissy! thank you! I'm looking forward to feeling better too so I can do lots of good cooking. Hopefully soon!
Hey Jim! you're welcome!
Have you tried probiotics?
Hey Anon! Yes, I've actually taken probiotics for years now and have been making sure I continue them now. I also added digestive enzymes and it all does seem to help some..just not quite enough.
Your garden seems to produce very well. Nice looking greens.
Keep trying new things to see what works best for your all around health. Good Luck!
I have mixer envy too! I've been getting by on a little Black & Decker job that I got for about $15 back when I worked for them. And a little Krups spice grinder. Maybe Santa will bring me a one like yours...though I have not been very *nice* this year. --Great garden pictures there.
Yup, we have one of those great machines too, Annie, and Grenville just recently used it for his favorite holiday tradition...chocolate chip cookies. Glad to see the plants are doing so well and that you are feeling a little better if not totally. Hope the decks get up and that they will lift your spirits for the holidays and beyond. Marry Christmas (early) to you and Jack.
Wow, I had no idea broccoli came in so late.
We've had plenty of rain here, too. I'm not sure what that meant, except the cotton looked pretty good this year.
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