I'm thinking of changing the name of this blog. Something a little wider in scope. As you may have noticed, our growing season here in OH isn't the longest. For example, currently at the local farmer's markets are greens, peas, garlic and strawberries. I'm sure there are a few other things, but not much. In my garden I've gotten...lettuce. That's it. I didn't plant radishes this year, because they rarely get eaten. My peas aren't ready yet. In fact, my garden as a whole is much less diverse than in recent years. Here's why... I was lazy and didn't want to spend money or more rare, space, on plants that don't do that well in my yard or could easily and cheaply be purchased locally. This is why you'll see(when I post the pics) that I have a lot of tomatoes,peppers, brussel sprouts, broccoli, some peas and beans and squash. This year I planted the squash outside of the raised beds. I'm hoping this will give them more room and not crowd the other plants.
Once again I tried starting my seeds. Once again I bought plants. I'm done with the starting. I don't know why, but I suck at it. I'm officially giving up.
I have added another compost bin. This is a garbage can with holes cut in it. We are using this one for food scraps. I add in newspaper to increase my "browns". When I say "I", what I mean is the child that I brought into the world for just this kind of task. Ya know, the task I feel is vitally important to our home and environment, but don't want to do. This is the same child that does the daily dusting for the same reason.
I recently found out about a new restaurant I'll be trying soon. It's called the Treehugger's Cafe. I believe it's in Berea, but don't quote me on that. I will let you know what I think. If you've already been there, please pass along your comments. This site has a half price deal on a gift card. I'll be purchasing one soon. http://www.mimivanderhaven.com/index
I got my strawberries picked and processed last week. I picked less than I have in previous years. I still have some "no sugar added jam" left from last year. This is because no one in the house will eat it. I will use it on ice cream and in smoothies. Other than that, the texture is weird. It gets really runny. Not a good thing for jam. This year I only made regular and "less sugar" freezer jam. This was much faster, easier and didn't involve heat, which was especially important since I made it on the 90 degree day last week.
I have been begging i.e. harassing my DH for about a year now for chickens. Live ones, that is. He's not opposed to them for eatin'. I've read article after article on "urban chickens". I've found blogs that I read and grow green with envy. I've discovered cool "runs" for the chickens and of course, the chicks themselves. Still my husband, because he's mean, is standing firm against them. He really has no good reasons either. Well, except for our 2 dogs, our terribly tiny yard, close quarters with elderly neighbors and my penchant for losing interest in things. Poor me. I really don't think he'd even notice them. Hhhmmm
Alrighty, I think that's enough yammering for one day.
