Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Pics from the harvest

Here are some pics from warmer, greener times. The carrots were unreal, they tasted like candy. So sweet, nothing like the ones in a bag from who knows where. Hera figured out that they were sweet too, and we had to watch her like a hawk the last two weeks of the season. Every once in awhile she'd come in to the house with dirt on her face and a carrot-eating grin.


Saturday, October 25, 2008

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

Not feeling too bloggy these days. More knitty and read-y, I guess it's the cool weather. I read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle last week, it is a wonderful book. I've always enjoyed Barbara Kingsolver, and this book describes the practical considerations and lofty ideals of eating food that comes from near one's home. I had the pleasure of hearing the author read from her work at Knox United Church last spring. As she said, it was probably the first time the subtleties of turkey sex had been explained from the pulpit. After reading it, I am inspired to try my hand at cheese making. Now that canning season is over I need a new pastime. I'm going to start by making yogurt with this tutorial.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Organic standards coming to Canada

I was surprised and pleased to find out that Canada will have a standard organic designation that will be regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), starting on December 14th. I hope this will help counter some of the superstitions out there regarding organic food just being a cash cow for dishonest farmers.

See Doug DiPasquale's post about this here.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Canada's Fall Harvest

CBC is featuring a summary of the Fall Harvest across the country.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

gratitude


It has been easy to feel grateful this thanksgiving season. After a summer of sad events in the lives of the people I care about, the blessing of friends and family seems even more precious. I am also blown away by my birthday gift from Evan... he made me a rolling pin out of flame maple. It's hard not to be impressed by the fact that someone is willing to get near a lathe (rather terrifying up close, believe me) to make you smile. I can't wait to use this beautiful tool. Taking a good pic of a rolling pin is a challenge, I've learned.. hence the still life with Gorbie.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Suiss Chard


I just saw the first snowflakes outside! Sigh. Garden season is soon over. It has been unseasonably warm the last few weeks, so I should count my blessings. I still have a few rows of chard in the garden, and I'm looking forward to the last few meals with greens from my backyard.

Here is some deliciousness from the NYTimes, Greek Swiss Chard Pie.

Here is information about my favorite green and another delish recipe, Swiss Chard and Red Pepper Gratin.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

gourds


This post from CRAFT magazine shows how to clean out hard shell gourds to use them as containers. I saw some beautiful uses of these gourds when I was in Korea. Oh the possibilities..

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Solar Dehydrator

I'm starting to realize that growing my own food means learning how to build things. Especiallly if I want to find creative ways of preserving food without burning tons of energy. Homegrown Evolution has a post on building a solar dehydrator, and links to another plan that seems even easier.

Homegrown Evolution: Build a Solar Dehydrator

Simple Solar Fruit and Vegetable Dryer