tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4719742840241039372024-02-08T00:16:48.204-05:00My Old New HouseKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.comBlogger390125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-2875429153775519742013-02-15T08:00:00.000-05:002013-02-15T08:00:08.191-05:002013 Garden Seed ListI need an intervention.<br />
<br />
You know how they say never go grocery shopping when you're hungry? Yeah, well never do your seed order in the middle of winter when you are craving salads, either! <br />
<br />
Yes, I went a bit crazy on the lettuce selection this year, but everything else is within normal limits, right? RIGHT?? <br />
<br />
124 varieties, almost 1000 sq. ft. of planting space (I'm planting beds more than once), somewhere around 4000 separate plants.<br />
<br />
It's going to be a busy summer!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 386px;">
<colgroup><col width="75"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 5558; mso-width-source: userset;" width="152"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 5814; mso-width-source: userset;" width="159"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="13">
<td class="xl24" height="13" width="75"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Brassicas</span></td>
<td width="152"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Broccoli</span></td>
<td width="159"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Green Sprouting</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Broccoli</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Spigariello</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Broccoli</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Romanesco</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cauliflower</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Snowball</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kohlrabi</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gigante</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Turnip</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Purple Top White Globe</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rutabaga</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Laurentian</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Napa</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Michilli</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cabbage</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mammoth Red Rock</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cabbage</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Copenhagen Market</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cabbage</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Early Jersey</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kale</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Heirloom mix</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kale</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Russian</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Collards</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Georgia Southern</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Collards</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Variegated</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Radish</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bouquet Mix</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Radish</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Specialty Mix</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Radish</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">French Breakfast</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Radish</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Round Black Spanish</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Radish</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">China Rose</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td class="xl24" height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Greens</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Spinach</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bloomsdale</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Swiss Chard</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Five Colour Silverbeet</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Swiss Chard</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rainbow</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Arugula</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Arugula</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mache</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mache</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cress</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Curly</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lettuce</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Paris Island</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lettuce</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Red Romaine</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lettuce</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Oak Leaf</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lettuce</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Grand Rapids</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lettuce</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bronze Arrow</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lettuce</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Amish Deer Tongue</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lettuce</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yugoslavian Red</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lettuce</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bunte Forellenschluss</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lettuce</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Black Seeded Simpson</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lettuce</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Drunken Woman</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lettuce</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Brune d'Hiver</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lettuce</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Merville Des Quarte Saison</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lettuce</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Forellenschluss</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lettuce</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tennis Ball Lettuce</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lettuce</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Heirloom Romaine mix</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lettuce</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Heirloom Leaf Lettuce Mix</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Greens</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pac Choi</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Greens</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tah Tsai</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Greens</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mustard</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Greens</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Red Komatsuna Mustard</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td class="xl24" height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Onions</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Onions</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ailsa Craig</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Onions</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yellow Globe</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Onions</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Red Wethersfield</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Onions</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">White Pickling</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Scallions</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Southport White Globe</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Garlic</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Garlic</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Leeks</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Blue Solaise</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Leeks</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Giant Musselburgh</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td class="xl24" height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cucurbits</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Winter Squash</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sibley</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Winter Squash</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chersonskaya</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Winter Squash</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Table Queen Acorn</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Winter Squash</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Spaghetti</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Summer Squash</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Black Beauty</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Summer Squash</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bennings Green Tint Pattypan</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cucumber</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Straight Eight</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cucumber</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">National Pickling</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td class="xl24" height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Carrots/Beets</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Carrots</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chantenay Red Cored</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Carrots</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Scarlet Nantes</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Carrots</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Colourful Mix</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Carrots</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jaune du Doubs</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Carrots</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dragon</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Beets</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">3 Root Grex</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Beets</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Albino</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Beets</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Golden Detroit</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Beets</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chioggia</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Beets</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mix</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Beets</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cylindra</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Beets</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Detroit Dark Red</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td class="xl24" height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tom<span style="font-size: x-small;">s/</span>Peppers</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Paste Tomato</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">San Marzano</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Red Cherry Tomato</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Riesentraube</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yellow Salad Tomato</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">AAA Sweet Solano</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tomato</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Oxheart</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tomato</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Canadian Heart</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tomato</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Brandywine</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tomato</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Stupice</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sweet Pepper</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Alma Paprika</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sweet Pepper</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Marconi Sweet Red</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sweet Pepper</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">King of the North</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hot Pepper</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ancho</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hot Pepper</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hinkelhatz</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hot Pepper</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Fish</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hot Pepper</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Long Red Cayenne</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hot Pepper</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hungarian Hot Wax</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hot Pepper</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Early Jalapeno</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td class="xl24" height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Legumes</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dry Beans</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ireland Creek Annie's </span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dry Beans</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Black Calypso</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dry Beans</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Romano</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dry Beans</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pinto</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dry Beans</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Soldier</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dry Beans</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Black Valentine</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dry Beans</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Blue Jay</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dry Beans</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Saskatchewan</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dry Beans</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bird Egg</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dry Beans</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Black Turtle</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dry Beans</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Littlefield's Special</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dry Beans</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Canadian Wonder</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dry Beans</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jacob's Cattle</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dry Beans</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mrocumiere</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dry Beans</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Fall Speckled</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Green Bush</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Blue Ribbon</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yellow Bush</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Beurre de Rocquencourt</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Striped Bush</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dragon Tongue</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Green Bush</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Empress</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Purple Bush</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Royalty Purple</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Runner Bean</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Scarlet Emperor</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pole Bean</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lazy Housewife</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pole Bean</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rattlesnake</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pole Bean</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">True Red Cranberry</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Snow Pea</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Oregon Giant</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sugar Pea</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dwarf Grey</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shell Pea</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Green Arrow</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shell Pea</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">British Wonder</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shell Pea</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sutton's Harbinger</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td class="xl24" height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Oddballs</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Okra</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Green</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Okra</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Burgundy</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Okra</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pakistan</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Celery</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tall Utah</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13">
<td height="13"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Celeriac</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Giant Prague</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="13"><td height="13"><br /></td><td><br /></td><td></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-53594981308932418442013-02-14T09:08:00.000-05:002013-02-14T09:08:35.090-05:00My Scruffy Valentines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Jyuts4gP9xN4OzLziAGSgTwFATH6yX0yJ-4YHpX4vx5h_-COPeZVLkACG4h2Ru087uwPwRf9KsmldAJZsz8NFgR__l-TUnYMeBaTHz7_8QdhzovVlaN2Ma0E_0sgwU3H-x1eT2Via6yA/s1600/IMG_0651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Jyuts4gP9xN4OzLziAGSgTwFATH6yX0yJ-4YHpX4vx5h_-COPeZVLkACG4h2Ru087uwPwRf9KsmldAJZsz8NFgR__l-TUnYMeBaTHz7_8QdhzovVlaN2Ma0E_0sgwU3H-x1eT2Via6yA/s400/IMG_0651.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It's February 14th again, and that can only mean one thing: Kip's birthday, and the anniversary of Katy's "Gotcha Day*".<br />
<br />
Kip is 6 (!!!) this year, and Katy is probably a year or so older, so we'll say she's 7 today.<br />
<br />
They are both fantastic dogs, my loves, who make me laugh every day. I've said it before - I can't imagine life without them, and the joy they bring into my life.<br />
<br />
So Happy Birthday Kip, and Happy Gotcha Katy - there may just be an extra treat in store for you both today!<br />
<br />
<br />
__________________________________________________<br />
Since Katy was a stray, I don't know her birthday, but we "celebrate" the day she came to live with us, aka her "Gotcha Day". Her actual "Gotcha Day" is Feb. 11, but that's close enough to the 14th!<br />
<br />
<br />Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-81585209901592012102013-02-13T08:00:00.000-05:002013-02-13T08:00:14.838-05:00Grocery Spending - Update #5It really isn't <i>that</i> bad. Honest. The only groceries I bought this week were for this month's<a href="http://myoldnewhouse.blogspot.ca/2013/02/two-of-twelve-part-two.html"> family meal</a> - I needed bread, milk and cream, and most expensively, maple syrup. Okay, I'll use the milk and cream for other things. And we only ate one loaf of the bread. And about half of the maple syrup. And... okay, okay. But still, really, if it wasn't for that meal, I wouldn't have had to do any shopping this week!<br />
<br />
As for the stash, I've finally tallied up my seed purchases for this year.<br />
<br />
Sigh.<br />
<br />
How is it possible to spend this much money on seeds, year after year? I really have to get better at saving seed. This is ridiculous, and I still have to buy seed potatoes! Mind you, that tally includes some planting supplies, and shipping, and tax. Still - ouch!<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Spending Feb. 4 - 10:<br />
<br />
Non-stash:<br />
Milk: $4.23<br />
Cream: $3.03<br />
Bread: $3.94<br />
Maple syrup: $11.49<br />
<br />
Stash:<br />
Seeds & supplies: $225.98<br />
<br />
Balance to date: <span style="color: red;">-$42.37</span> for non-stash, <span style="color: red;">-$455.93</span> for stash.</blockquote>
<br />
The balance keeps going in the wrong direction...Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-45568884583925298812013-02-12T08:00:00.000-05:002013-02-12T08:00:09.683-05:00Seedy Saturday RecapSeedy Saturday was this past weekend, and it was great! Although I had done most of my seed buying already, there are always a few last things I need to pick up. Like, for example, when I just assume I have enough beet and carrot seed, without actually looking. Ooops!<br />
<br />
Or when family members mention seed they want you to start for them - after you've done your buying for the year, of course. <br />
<br />
So, I picked up some stevia seeds for my brother (I'll keep some for me too, just to play with), but I'm still looking for catnip seeds for Dad. Well, for Dad's cat, but you know what I mean. Anyone out there with catnip seeds?<br />
<br />
I also picked up some curly garden cress, red garnet amaranth, Pakistan okra and true red cranberry pole beans from <a href="http://rhizomefarms.blogspot.ca/">Rhizome Farms</a> - things I didn't know I wanted, but you know how that goes! Well, except for the beans - I always want new bean varieties, but I had put a moratorium on buying any this year. Hrm. Unfortunately, I didn't actually get to talk to Elva about the okra seeds, but I hope to get some more info about them. I'm intrigued :D<br />
<br />
And speaking of my bean addiction, Kate from the <a href="http://usc-canada.org/">USC</a> booth gave me some Blue Ribbon bush beans, supplied by <a href="http://www.seeds-organic.com/">Greta's Organics</a>. Enablers, all of them! <br />
<br />
Linda from <a href="http://treeandtwigheirlooms.blogspot.ca/">Tree & Twig</a> was nice enough to bring my seed order with her, and "refunded" my shipping charges by throwing in a pack of arugula seeds. This will be the first time I've grown arugula - thanks Linda!!<br />
<br />
I also bought some carrot and beet seeds from both Tree & Twig and <a href="http://www.uharvest.ca/">Urban Harvest</a> - I love being able to go to events like this and see all the varieties on offer!<br />
<br />
I managed to see a couple of the talks, but I had to leave early, which was too bad. It was nice to see just how popular the event was. There were a LOT of people there - it's great to see so many people interested in both gardening and in supporting some of the fantastic small seed suppliers we have in the area!Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-5949476185978905322013-02-11T11:45:00.000-05:002013-02-11T13:16:47.316-05:00Two of Twelve, Part Two Do you know how hard it is to both cook a meal and take pictures of it?<br />
<br />
Yeah, sorry, once again, no photos. This month's meal was breakfast - easy, but a busy meal. Scrambled eggs (from my local supplier), toast, bacon and <a href="http://myoldnewhouse.blogspot.ca/2013/01/the-best-pancakes-oatmeal-pancakes.html">oatmeal pancakes</a>. Along with real maple syrup for the pancakes (I do not do flavoured sugar water, sorry) and coffee, of course. Gotta have coffee!<br />
<br />
I was going to do home-fries as well, but gave up after the fifth potato I pulled from the bag was rotten inside. Grrr......<br />
<br />
Oh well - it's not like we went hungry!<br />
<br />
My niece leaves for the west this week, so she was able to come to one last meal - yeah!<br />
<br />
Now, to start thinking about next month's meal...Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-91161163296255341182013-02-04T07:00:00.000-05:002013-02-04T07:00:14.496-05:00Grocery Spending - Update #4I didn't want to do two updates back-to-back, but this puts me back on weekly schedule - well, some sort of schedule, anyhow!<br />
<br />
This week's purchases included items for the <a href="http://myoldnewhouse.blogspot.ca/2013/01/one-of-twelve-part-two.html">family supper</a>, but it's not too bad, even though I made chicken alfredo with garlic bread. I had all the ingredients for the sauce on hand, including the chicken, so all I had to buy was the pasta (on sale), bread and croutons for the salad.<br />
<br />
The brand of coffee I drink was on sale last week, for just under $12/pound, down from the regular $16. I started keeping track at the beginning of the year, and realized I go through about 3 pounds a month (!!), and I'm down to only 3 pounds in the stash, so I stocked up. I'm good until the end of May now, and hopefully, it will go on sale again sometime before then. Or, I'll stop drinking coffee. Bwahahahahahahahhaa!!!<br />
<br /><br />
Spending Jan. 28 - Feb. 3:<br />
<br />
Non-stash:<br />
Pasta: $1.88<br />
Croutons: $1.94<br />
Bread: $3.94<br />
Tea: $3.02<br />
Coconut: $0.86 (I wanted unsweetened to try in a recipe)<br />
Chips: $1.83 (I am bad - bulk food store fail)<br />
<br />
Stash:<br />
Coffee: $107.91<br />
<br />
Balance to date: <span style="color: red;">-$29.68</span> for non-stash, <span style="color: red;">-$289.63</span> for stash.<br />
<br />
Sigh. <br />
<br />
Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-80574806243689552812013-02-02T07:00:00.000-05:002013-02-03T12:33:34.567-05:00Grocery Spending - Update #3And herein starts the justifications - and the revisions.<br />
<br />
My main goal for tracking (and blogging about) my grocery spending was to make myself start eating the food in the house, not just add more to the stash.<br />
<br />
And so I set a dollar amount, that I thought was reasonable.<br />
<br />
But then I ran out of things. Like brown sugar. And cocoa. And spices. And salt. And so I spent more than I had budgeted for.<br />
<br />
It's not all bad, though. Even though I've gone over my arbitrary dollar amount (by a <i>lot</i>), I've been really good about actually eating from my stash.<br />
<br />
So it's not a complete loss.<br />
<br />
Of course, I want to keep this going, and I still want to track my spending (accountability, it's a good thing), but I don't want to post here week after week about how much further in the hole I'm getting. And really, the dollar amount is somewhat arbitrary...<br />
<br />
On to the numbers:<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Spending Jan. 21-27:<br />
<br />
Non-stash:<br />
Yeast: $3.79<br />
Cocoa: $5.29<br />
Coconut: $0.99 (For a recipe. Not a need, but hey - it was 99 cents!)<br />
Brown Sugar: $2.17<br />
Lemons: $3.00<br />
Milk: $4.23<br />
Sour Cream: $1.97 <br />
Cocoa: $6.99 (Mom knew I was out, saw a good price when she was out, and so, not knowing I had bought some, picked some up. It's all good - you can't have too much cocoa!)<br />
<br />
Stash:<br />
Beef: $240<br />
<br />
Balance to date: <span style="color: red;">-$46.21</span> for non-stash, <span style="color: red;">-$262.04</span> for stash.</blockquote>
<br />
Now for the revisions: <br />
<br />
I've looked again at how much I spend on "stash" foods, like locally-raised meat and eggs, fair-trade coffee and garden seeds, and realized the total is close to $1500 a year. So, I'm increasing my stash budget from $10 to $30/week. And on the same vein, to account for items like flour and sugar and spices, as well as milk and bread, I'm doubling my non-stash budget to $10/week. <br />
<br />
And yes, I'm doing so retroactively. My challenge, my rules ;)<br />
<br />
New balances: <span style="color: red;">-$26.21</span> for non-stash, <span style="color: red;">-$182.04</span> for stash. Still in the red, so I do need to work on that, but not as bad as before!<br />
<br />
And really, $40 a week for a diet that includes non-CAFO meat? Not bad, not bad at all. Now, let's see if I can do better here on out...Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-31212502170758222002013-02-01T10:59:00.002-05:002013-02-04T08:27:17.510-05:00Where's the Beef? Right here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsovvKem_AvB8TZtsDPcghXwdgEs2m_0-GLWi_P871D33eLwIbVuzEtyuN3xkQ5GYnCAtkVxpDNK225uA-4nVXLlRfkF90M_JsJzNhYPrx8AfrTB2exE4WpQ-fg0gNpRDgstciYVOEJwU/s1600/IMG_0621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsovvKem_AvB8TZtsDPcghXwdgEs2m_0-GLWi_P871D33eLwIbVuzEtyuN3xkQ5GYnCAtkVxpDNK225uA-4nVXLlRfkF90M_JsJzNhYPrx8AfrTB2exE4WpQ-fg0gNpRDgstciYVOEJwU/s400/IMG_0621.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
That, my friends, is about 30 pounds of local, grass-fed, sustainable, rare-breed beef! Which now resides in my freezer. Yippee!!<br />
<br />
I finally found a local farmer, and it ended up being someone I went to university with. Cue: "It's a Small World"....<br />
<br />
Larry and Alison raise the Kerry breed of cattle. In their words:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">"<span style="font-size: x-small;">While </span>maintaining a nucleus of pure-bred
Kerry, we are also developing a premium product by bringing together
best characteristics of small beef animals such as the Hereford, with
the pasture efficiency of the Kerry.<br />
<br />
The Kerry Cow is a heritage breed from Ireland kept for
both beef and dairy purposes. They are a smaller breed, typically
horned and solid black in color (solid red sometimes shows). They are
hardy and long lived<span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Originally developed in harsh conditions, we find
the Kerry thrive on pasture and hay. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Rare Breeds Canada
classify the Kerry as ‘Critical’ (less than 25 annual registrations of
breeding females). With only a few other breeders in Canada, we are
attempting to increase the numbers of Kerry in Canada. Starting out
with 4 pure-bred Kerry cows in 2004, we have raised our pure-bred herd
to over 20."</span></blockquote>
<br />
Their farm is about 60 km away, so well within my "100 miles". It's far enough away that I don't want to be driving out there every week, but a few times a year is no big deal, especially since it also includes a visit! Hopefully, next time the weather will be a bit better and I can get a tour of the farm. And take pictures! And write another post about the cattle and farm. <br />
<br />
You can find out more about their farm at their website: <a href="http://www.rosedeneacres.ca/">www.rosedeneacres.ca</a><br />
<br />
I bought what they call a "box o'beef". It consisted of 3 roasts (~10 pounds total), 10 steaks (~7
pounds total), 3 packs of ribs (~2 pounds) and about 12 pounds of ground
beef. The price, like most local, sustainable meat, is about twice what you'd pay for grocery store beef, but it's equivalent to what a local store charges for grass-fed beef.<br />
<br />
Oh well - I love the fact that I can buy sustainable beef, that the money goes directly to the farmer, and who is also an old friend! Of course, the drawbacks are that I didn't get to pick the cuts (I'd have loved to have gotten some stewing beef, and less ground), and that I have to store that much beef in the freezer. And the price too - it would have been cheaper to buy a larger amount, but as much as I love beef, I can't justify buying a quarter, unless I was splitting it with someone. I'll see how long this lasts, and adjust accordingly for next year.<br />
<br />
Oh, and the bonus? It's paper-wrapped!<br />
<br />
I'll write more when I cook with the beef - I can't wait to taste it. Now, to find some good recipes...<br />
<br />
_________________________________________________________<br />
Full disclosure: I received nothing for writing this review; Larry and Alison didn't even know I had a blog or was writing this until after I bought the beef. I did ask for, and receive, their permission to use their names and link to their website, but my review is entirely my own. Mind you, Larry did throw in a pack of pepperettes, but that was because we're friends, not to influence this article. They are really good pepperettes, by the way. Nom nom nom....Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-74811737330099285392013-01-29T10:25:00.002-05:002013-01-29T10:25:51.684-05:00One of Twelve, Part TwoOnce again, I'm doing monthly family dinners as my Christmas present to my adult family members.<br />
<br />
And, once again I have no photos :(<br />
<br />
Mainly because it was a quick meal to put together - chicken alfredo with garlic bread and caesar salad. <br />
<br />
My niece is leaving soon, moving west, so I let her pick the meal. This was her second choice - I merely laughed when she suggested steak and crab! <br />
<br />
It was soooo good.<br />
<br />
Low fat, not so much...<br />
<br />
And, of course, I don't really have a recipe. <br />
<br />
I cut up the chicken (four breasts) and tossed the pieces with a mixture of salt, pepper and dried basil, then pan fried (in small batches - don't crowd the pan!) until browned and cooked through. Meanwhile, I melted an insane amount of butter in a heavy bottomed pot over low heat, added some minced garlic (from the garden - yeah!!), and cooked until the garlic was soft. I added about twice as much cream as butter, then tossed in a couple of handfuls of freshly-grated parmesan cheese.<br />
<br />
Please, do not use cheese from a can.<br />
<br />
Ever.<br />
<br />
A block of parmesan lasts me about a year, costs around $20-25, and is so. much. better.<br />
<br />
Anyhow...<br />
<br />
After heating the sauce through, I added the chicken, then the cooked fettucini.<br />
<br />
The sauce didn't thicken at all, but still coated the pasta nicely, and tasted fantastic. <br />
<br />
I also made garlic bread by mixing more butter with more garlic, spreading on sliced Italian bread, topping with sliced provalone cheese, then broiling until the cheese was all warm and bubbly and good.<br />
<br />
And Mom brought the salad - thanks Mom!<br />
<br />
This isn't a recipe I make very often (butter and cream and cheese, oh my!), so it's not one I've perfected. I'd like the sauce to be a bit thicker, but I don't really want to use cream cheese or whipping cream. It's so easy to make though - I might have to make it more often, and work on my recipe!Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-47762059844481875552013-01-26T14:35:00.000-05:002013-01-26T14:35:03.396-05:00Sausage!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's that time of the year again - sausage making time! This is my <a href="http://myoldnewhouse.blogspot.ca/2012/02/things-i-dont-buy-sausage.html">second year</a> for making my own sausage, and this year, I have a stuffer! I found the attachment for the KitchenAid at a reasonable price in the US - $10 vs. an insane $24 here in Canada. $24 for three small pieces of plastic - I don't think so! Eventually I'd like a metal meat grinder and sausage stuffer, but for now, the KitchenAid attachments work fine.<br />
<br />
Pork was on sale, so I bought two shoulders, for a total of around 18 pounds. After skinning and deboning, I ended up with around 14 pounds of meat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRSYj1LkSk4V4UgyosrN0A7KMJV-w0ZprFcWL94Fwqz0Ts1XfAUAbE9wcWWO_N3z8w9Z_5eadRctdoehyE65bA1YiP64FN9nhtxnMkvd_wQEPzR7hxKdIRDBtm7K3gWPKfRE9-nWTF042/s400/IMG_0592.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork shoulder</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6sUGhY1jK0gcm0poHabqQFrGuMV-5Ww3kuCHkXY9bLFVfN50_ym2FAJQAwDecJ5yaJyClw-dq-bgHSghqnTlWo9LV2aqB1PPdOQDw5YEvvYjYeoSx4PnAlD0T_otrp77wyooje7fKuWd/s1600/IMG_0595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6sUGhY1jK0gcm0poHabqQFrGuMV-5Ww3kuCHkXY9bLFVfN50_ym2FAJQAwDecJ5yaJyClw-dq-bgHSghqnTlWo9LV2aqB1PPdOQDw5YEvvYjYeoSx4PnAlD0T_otrp77wyooje7fKuWd/s400/IMG_0595.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with skin removed...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5xfxQtGfb_qozmbazPKuLPCXpvLndLCypIxTtrl4D9mWtEw6kxFJCC0WVzZqdszjx5keQTuCUlCY47dv134QbfarAZTHomaIEwO1KccZVUzYSWp-n4HKvCVUqtnk4OoYum-jvdK9KsSg/s1600/IMG_0596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5xfxQtGfb_qozmbazPKuLPCXpvLndLCypIxTtrl4D9mWtEw6kxFJCC0WVzZqdszjx5keQTuCUlCY47dv134QbfarAZTHomaIEwO1KccZVUzYSWp-n4HKvCVUqtnk4OoYum-jvdK9KsSg/s400/IMG_0596.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cut off the bone...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5l1rrt1PysfU7rMpQCMdeFcKK55aSYRx6vfYKHnz9glo0uGDBCcAhuenKTsueq6mW8G3Ie6AY99X31K0wS5HHJ06x_O-P7G-LyDO3jisdz8_Zx8oJbOnSHsRbIWf35kLtD4ucL2lojFl/s1600/IMG_0593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5l1rrt1PysfU7rMpQCMdeFcKK55aSYRx6vfYKHnz9glo0uGDBCcAhuenKTsueq6mW8G3Ie6AY99X31K0wS5HHJ06x_O-P7G-LyDO3jisdz8_Zx8oJbOnSHsRbIWf35kLtD4ucL2lojFl/s400/IMG_0593.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and cut up for the grinder.</td></tr>
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Of course, I tossed the bones into a stock pot for soup! :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidT4eR8Cy4NkF0U2A4DcbvdkFIr0KWWpfGD0z-YzM2b4v3uazmum7wmXDSYdqm90s6znRUq1BzuEJ04280qInxO-uuLBXeh1b8HV1oRNm4akYhO17FS_iXsea1YQTGkgn0bZnUSO_bFQEW/s1600/IMG_0597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidT4eR8Cy4NkF0U2A4DcbvdkFIr0KWWpfGD0z-YzM2b4v3uazmum7wmXDSYdqm90s6znRUq1BzuEJ04280qInxO-uuLBXeh1b8HV1oRNm4akYhO17FS_iXsea1YQTGkgn0bZnUSO_bFQEW/s400/IMG_0597.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making stock from the bones - nothing goes to waste!</td></tr>
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I decided on four different recipes this year - sage, Italian, chorizo and garlic-pepper. To make things easier, I made sure to prepare all of the seasoning ahead of time. As with anything to do with meat, it's important to work quickly and keep the meat from warming up, so making sure everything is ready to go means you don't have to stop in the middle of making your sausage to chop an onion or measure out a spice! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgdI3F4NagGYLtVDmUBZ5rtSY8lWPHymlIKYhOLtFvG3zw8y7Q02IyitpY49VJt3Z1OL-umCaMPaLbYT39zpHis_0qLheHzoh3VZ9OkggLm3OQZYzOR93UpTrNPlf6PFBSBai6SCIkhu5/s1600/IMG_0598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgdI3F4NagGYLtVDmUBZ5rtSY8lWPHymlIKYhOLtFvG3zw8y7Q02IyitpY49VJt3Z1OL-umCaMPaLbYT39zpHis_0qLheHzoh3VZ9OkggLm3OQZYzOR93UpTrNPlf6PFBSBai6SCIkhu5/s400/IMG_0598.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-measured seasonings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After grinding, I weighed out the portions I wanted (5 pounds each for the Italian and sage, 2 pounds each for the others), and mixed each well with the seasoning. After mixing, each bowl went into the fridge until I was ready to use it. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaz7MdicX9KySKqWvAi-oBLzN4phxzk308Ww2PQKB0QkL7GW-OrhaFd9Zfk58wAwkFvUgW3M5I6Xz1D1Jq4v66_Ezdx8ga_X7wIBLLPTce6ndRisS0H6Y-KQ_OR56Lj226BySz7Waq16C/s1600/IMG_0600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaz7MdicX9KySKqWvAi-oBLzN4phxzk308Ww2PQKB0QkL7GW-OrhaFd9Zfk58wAwkFvUgW3M5I6Xz1D1Jq4v66_Ezdx8ga_X7wIBLLPTce6ndRisS0H6Y-KQ_OR56Lj226BySz7Waq16C/s400/IMG_0600.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final product, ground and mixed with the seasonings. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And of course, you <i>have</i> to do a taste test! <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwS0h9oNeFqYuiCMA_aiOtdxh293PzXfRorMxpjlmQ3gA_BUXdV7C8-klDTSfwrdlFttl8n4-ewf7tLo1y_zyPg4YixrqYHHUWbCMw4pu5EAzqPSGPieQf4pUG-CzDBw40WYixCvAhzpPh/s1600/IMG_0599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwS0h9oNeFqYuiCMA_aiOtdxh293PzXfRorMxpjlmQ3gA_BUXdV7C8-klDTSfwrdlFttl8n4-ewf7tLo1y_zyPg4YixrqYHHUWbCMw4pu5EAzqPSGPieQf4pUG-CzDBw40WYixCvAhzpPh/s400/IMG_0599.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taste test!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last year, I saw casings for sale at a local grocery store, along with the large cuts of pork. This year, however, I couldn't find them. I know that store makes it's own sausage, so I decided to ask at the butcher counter.<br />
<br />
I was told they didn't sell the casings anymore, due to health and safety concerns.<br />
<br />
I was told this, standing directly in front of the case of store-made sausages for sale.<br />
<br />
Made with the same casings they refused to sell me, due to health and safety concerns.<br />
<br />
The clerk couldn't understand why I then asked if the sausages they were selling were safe to eat.<br />
<br />
The logic, it hurts.<br />
<br />
So, I drove around the corner to an actual butcher shop, that had no problem selling me a bundle of casings, for the low, low price of $4!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUF7I9ImjdD78xFNbWJZ7orKyJFPxRH0vTGZpyAOuPPXotTp7QxsTvJZq1BqQkQYbUHQh8IH3DAA_df_oc1l_7_c-qaMPW845j3LJFOPoN-F1w6Dj2GnI14pW7vOy3kBNEarBwXqvIOUW/s1600/IMG_0601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUF7I9ImjdD78xFNbWJZ7orKyJFPxRH0vTGZpyAOuPPXotTp7QxsTvJZq1BqQkQYbUHQh8IH3DAA_df_oc1l_7_c-qaMPW845j3LJFOPoN-F1w6Dj2GnI14pW7vOy3kBNEarBwXqvIOUW/s400/IMG_0601.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strike>Intestines</strike> Casings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDrAPTsJNF3bF7_9CcM7mPORtZ3whVCo7HpG_qRpv-m6OqYayidKi4SBeEQk4I8rJMNSv6aIaeSswrZ9Y_ic7bUxfIiJ3Z4xSNIMxD0Yb2d-_aHchNVoipuomiJtwzEaROXMs_KOF3MUB/s1600/IMG_0602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDrAPTsJNF3bF7_9CcM7mPORtZ3whVCo7HpG_qRpv-m6OqYayidKi4SBeEQk4I8rJMNSv6aIaeSswrZ9Y_ic7bUxfIiJ3Z4xSNIMxD0Yb2d-_aHchNVoipuomiJtwzEaROXMs_KOF3MUB/s400/IMG_0602.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soaking in water</td></tr>
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The casing have to be soaked and rinsed well, as they are preserved with salt. I cut the casing into four lengths, to make it easier to work with. I greased the stuffer attachment with lard, then slipped the casing onto it, tied a knot, and started stuffing!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wGUFXmuZb2AtK1qDDv0ALcUesbvhoXu3iGUEMAOrGBjcz35ReOLFAqDQjg08A6FhafrWUvXSIQlJQ1Z4i-4ETGGeeeLvvGLSSjti4CoZqlow0ExZAj_O_Fv1ku_E1WIGQaqlsTRZZM4w/s1600/IMG_0605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wGUFXmuZb2AtK1qDDv0ALcUesbvhoXu3iGUEMAOrGBjcz35ReOLFAqDQjg08A6FhafrWUvXSIQlJQ1Z4i-4ETGGeeeLvvGLSSjti4CoZqlow0ExZAj_O_Fv1ku_E1WIGQaqlsTRZZM4w/s400/IMG_0605.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Length of casing on the stuffer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCRj-zcOoA-6iY0pF44NsZWQj1JdYHKLr2d4I025qLeAYRn8AsUjcEpPWLmTJZ7rQHk8hi8Yw86sqmYnhr7Cw1Fe1fRkjzUgY1h46CUdnQIEsecWMHe8jEmv66PRpVN8Vtf156ZeVlJpC/s1600/IMG_0607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCRj-zcOoA-6iY0pF44NsZWQj1JdYHKLr2d4I025qLeAYRn8AsUjcEpPWLmTJZ7rQHk8hi8Yw86sqmYnhr7Cw1Fe1fRkjzUgY1h46CUdnQIEsecWMHe8jEmv66PRpVN8Vtf156ZeVlJpC/s400/IMG_0607.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knot at the beginning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ubB9f6-nb79hhttLBrPZC2uQz_UWTa0snFiFxXLG_OiiasLz-CZ4c4AFnKr3ZD9JYyjHIoUL9tEcmFlxJbVfZV9VjH44l4jalKTeee_GWg6FDuEDM-jukG12lDQF5FFuox75g86cplzh/s1600/IMG_0608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ubB9f6-nb79hhttLBrPZC2uQz_UWTa0snFiFxXLG_OiiasLz-CZ4c4AFnKr3ZD9JYyjHIoUL9tEcmFlxJbVfZV9VjH44l4jalKTeee_GWg6FDuEDM-jukG12lDQF5FFuox75g86cplzh/s400/IMG_0608.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One length done!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPUm2n_sL5IbONsXMBnxqdcGM5rcK40kafzK68nCufDzssjoI6tM2Pmyo2yPfHc3ll3NH4loa5nqpW-AK901ow9XRb52lGOZlWERVzoMc2HVzh9Yuc_p6f2b8oEXhFwqwIBao1xEhYt4B/s1600/IMG_0609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPUm2n_sL5IbONsXMBnxqdcGM5rcK40kafzK68nCufDzssjoI6tM2Pmyo2yPfHc3ll3NH4loa5nqpW-AK901ow9XRb52lGOZlWERVzoMc2HVzh9Yuc_p6f2b8oEXhFwqwIBao1xEhYt4B/s400/IMG_0609.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coil of Italian sausage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyGV21dp6Sgg0OJpxI7fcibl-GzvSmQhWBuYA0xbmAVL6OAhz2p58DpphgY_ugN0YnWcCMzdOE-QKFRc4_VlIwiujo6bBhIQdH2lFASO3KDb90-pbJaxsjvoIlkgXi2956tFbzSwq0trY/s1600/IMG_0610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyGV21dp6Sgg0OJpxI7fcibl-GzvSmQhWBuYA0xbmAVL6OAhz2p58DpphgY_ugN0YnWcCMzdOE-QKFRc4_VlIwiujo6bBhIQdH2lFASO3KDb90-pbJaxsjvoIlkgXi2956tFbzSwq0trY/s400/IMG_0610.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Italian sausage, all linked up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjeflzC5ms066H9_h1TGtKgS3yNZtYUng-e24HOO7ezeHXQD-QGqhjttT8MC-Fx5BcMcilqhq0KFulAE06kHs5ACBR0SzMSHTRLxk9v1gU5Fn23zGJhkPR6iFfiCPjDkUJACRFAJnur-D/s1600/IMG_0611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjeflzC5ms066H9_h1TGtKgS3yNZtYUng-e24HOO7ezeHXQD-QGqhjttT8MC-Fx5BcMcilqhq0KFulAE06kHs5ACBR0SzMSHTRLxk9v1gU5Fn23zGJhkPR6iFfiCPjDkUJACRFAJnur-D/s400/IMG_0611.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chorizo sausage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZB_vbVVwibb2HJOf-xbq2fTQ1FbBwdhRfTB0y5f5Wh0QGYYcJNlwp1JdP4Pev2j9iGu6RCHnfeP3jvM7bed6XjHuxhjc58s8S703CUhKxKWME4SsoX8ZBrJRvgaQHzuPF1tZwXLxOAyg/s1600/IMG_0612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZB_vbVVwibb2HJOf-xbq2fTQ1FbBwdhRfTB0y5f5Wh0QGYYcJNlwp1JdP4Pev2j9iGu6RCHnfeP3jvM7bed6XjHuxhjc58s8S703CUhKxKWME4SsoX8ZBrJRvgaQHzuPF1tZwXLxOAyg/s400/IMG_0612.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished coil of Sage sausage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUOZ59MIHSDkuX5hOpMy6l18M53yqx9_OFSQJAdS4aZqTfFFUYA3Xpu6x8blzDP9nnkkbQqJZnpqi5lN5yPWPLZzgDbcE_s332xXZ9hxNef8qpNAit6EZEFky6Is6WduUXr65I6RsWPpq/s1600/IMG_0613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUOZ59MIHSDkuX5hOpMy6l18M53yqx9_OFSQJAdS4aZqTfFFUYA3Xpu6x8blzDP9nnkkbQqJZnpqi5lN5yPWPLZzgDbcE_s332xXZ9hxNef8qpNAit6EZEFky6Is6WduUXr65I6RsWPpq/s400/IMG_0613.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sage sausage in links</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fUKKdBh_ChrEPPQ9vYTu06UGPohAm4R9BcpxEjzTmrVpf_3Z8sjtBuVM-nLUKxcEKhUJ91T792yVCCbjXal1l6MSKlYiYLKMrRW4HbMIhLjQ5PzRm0YfksddMG2oLFlcvWDk7_cmX-wr/s1600/IMG_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fUKKdBh_ChrEPPQ9vYTu06UGPohAm4R9BcpxEjzTmrVpf_3Z8sjtBuVM-nLUKxcEKhUJ91T792yVCCbjXal1l6MSKlYiYLKMrRW4HbMIhLjQ5PzRm0YfksddMG2oLFlcvWDk7_cmX-wr/s400/IMG_0614.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garlic pepper sausage</td></tr>
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I ran out of casing right at the very end, with about a half a pound of meat left. No problem - I simply left it as loose sausage. I probably could have stuffed the casings a bit more, but it's not bad for a first attempt. I did have one break, when I was making links. I need to work on my link-making skills, that's for sure! And this is definitely a job where two people would make it a LOT easier.<br />
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But, it's not a hard, long or expensive job, at all. From start to finish, it took me around 5 hours, which includes all the chopping, measuring and clean-ups along the way. I disassembled and washed the grinder/stuffer a few times during the process, both just to clear it (the grinder especially needs to be cleared after a bit) and to make sure everything was clean enough. <br />
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So, now that I've made "real" sausage, would I do it again? In a heartbeat. With the proper equipment, it's an easy, inexpensive way to get great sausages. And I need to practise my technique. And perfect my recipes. And really, one can't ever have too much sausage...Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-30426218949156067322013-01-24T07:00:00.000-05:002013-01-27T11:04:05.435-05:00Days of Fire and Ice... and Marshmallows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You know that when winter starts setting in, after the excitement of the Christmas season, it can only mean one thing: time for the <a href="http://www.icewinefestival.com/">Niagara Icewine Festival</a>! For those who don't know, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_wine">icewine</a> is made from grapes which are left on the vines to freeze. There are rigorous criteria for making icewine, and it's generally this time of year that the finally temperatures drop enough. In fact, the harvest just started this week. While I'm <i>so</i> not interested in actually harvesting the grapes, I do love the end results. So I was quite happy to join my brother this past Sunday at the festival, which takes place in Niagara-on-the Lake.<br />
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The main street is shut down, and local wineries and other businesses set up booths with food and drink samples, along with ice sculptures. Unfortunately, high winds resulted in the cancellation of the outdoor festivities on Sunday. After seeing large chunks of ice that had toppled down, I couldn't blame them. It was disappointing, but the stores were still open, and there were a lot of special events at the wineries. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pHcwQ3Kaeq6KvRZZWAiTzjDqE97PypZWmcP6o5uobFvmcgDnVdXCX323OoktqE8D9dnnSgPhJHxl5kQVvQPjKtITC-oNhQeClpY3UZMDAW-syuijp8uzCKOyJ0egt-zJxMuzHE_tEXJh/s1600/IMG_0564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pHcwQ3Kaeq6KvRZZWAiTzjDqE97PypZWmcP6o5uobFvmcgDnVdXCX323OoktqE8D9dnnSgPhJHxl5kQVvQPjKtITC-oNhQeClpY3UZMDAW-syuijp8uzCKOyJ0egt-zJxMuzHE_tEXJh/s400/IMG_0564.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remnants of the Ice Lounge</td></tr>
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First, we stopped in at <a href="http://cheesesecrets.com/">Cheese Secrets</a>, a store I had heard about a while ago but hadn't had the chance to visit yet. They sell a fantastic range of cheeses, including local and regional options, and associated items like cheese boards. They also have bulk olive oil and balsamic vinegar! We didn't get to taste any of the cheeses, but only because they fed us some of the chili they make every year for the festival! I'm going to have to visit again, and hopefully try the different olive oils they have. And the vinegar. And the cheese...<br />
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Our next stop was Wine Country Vintners, a tasting spot that features a few local wineries, to taste some great icewines. If you've never had it, icewine is <i>very</i> sweet - and I'm not one for sweet wines. But the great icewines are nicely balanced - the sweetness is definitely there, but it's not cloying. Icewine, however, is one of those thing where you get what you pay for. That's why tasting are so much fun - you can try a $95 icewine without actually paying $95 - and keep in mind, that price is for a half bottle! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tYPnvwf4KRpw-pVp6i08musg4HJ6R9vsRIev-7wJcn_tXLZ-9-eHO8Lv3bF_RW_bu3y-yfKCEper3zWpEnMDbl1zsd1AJk-5SMKDIn8akt_bxV8zefzdwtVUfsfjXwXHSFCRMLZqvDL6/s1600/IMG_0566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tYPnvwf4KRpw-pVp6i08musg4HJ6R9vsRIev-7wJcn_tXLZ-9-eHO8Lv3bF_RW_bu3y-yfKCEper3zWpEnMDbl1zsd1AJk-5SMKDIn8akt_bxV8zefzdwtVUfsfjXwXHSFCRMLZqvDL6/s400/IMG_0566.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White icewine flight</td></tr>
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First up was a flight of three white icewines - and I really should have written down what they were, because I cannot remember. I <i>think</i> they were all Vidals, and I do know that one was oak-aged. I normally like Riesling better than Vidal, but the oak-aged Vidal was quite nice :)<br />
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Next - the very best thing on the face of the earth.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW55ls5vxNEJVfuDLS0TLOxXhjX1nmNpcJfa2a_Kr8D7ORqf_H1YxCV4CdgnEQDqRPFp18PWezVRIFsM-JBwZnjZxDXqZd_W6okG3FSZhlPnlAj2C5eIp82WV9QsiiV0YeDPskjkx-vrjO/s1600/IMG_0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW55ls5vxNEJVfuDLS0TLOxXhjX1nmNpcJfa2a_Kr8D7ORqf_H1YxCV4CdgnEQDqRPFp18PWezVRIFsM-JBwZnjZxDXqZd_W6okG3FSZhlPnlAj2C5eIp82WV9QsiiV0YeDPskjkx-vrjO/s400/IMG_0565.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabernet Franc icewine</td></tr>
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Cabernet Franc icewine is seriously the best tasting thing I have ever had. I LOVE this wine. LOVE it. If it was a person, I would marry it, or at least stalk it. If I won the lottery, I would buy enough to have a glass every night. If I knew I was going to die... okay, enough already. But seriously, this stuff is GOOD. Again, I should have recorded what each was, but I do know one was from <a href="http://www.gretzkyestateswines.com/">Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery</a>. <br />
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And this is where I eat some crow to go along with my wine. I have never had wines from Wayne Gretzky Estates, because I figured the name was the selling point, not the quality of the wine. But their cab franc icewine was the best of the bunch - I'm going to have to try some of their other wines now!<br />
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After that, we wandered around, stopping in at <a href="http://greavesjams.com/">Greaves</a>, of course (I had to buy my favourite, black currant jelly. Not jam, jelly. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find black currant jelly? Greaves is the only company I know that makes it - and they are local. Win-win!). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02E9yRD1Y_nrgKGpYRMWqzsgntB1qxoTIsWZH760lkKDGpRha95jOBHtd9Zyzg7vy-OtCYb7HiDdv3YU4oMnEi46sZTP-1g0BZvwivKhLMRBvDgZGAkW3PyleZkcCnchuHBb8y-T8JDI9/s1600/IMG_0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02E9yRD1Y_nrgKGpYRMWqzsgntB1qxoTIsWZH760lkKDGpRha95jOBHtd9Zyzg7vy-OtCYb7HiDdv3YU4oMnEi46sZTP-1g0BZvwivKhLMRBvDgZGAkW3PyleZkcCnchuHBb8y-T8JDI9/s400/IMG_0568.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George Bernard Shaw - dressed up for the Christmas season!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrtJWm2IZGIAruwp0ygMEt2sRZv879Sy15uGufUor3pYpJjEh4th6BB3X0L9_ik9qJ3Pa0zvOZEJY0HhVP77cX_-roIImKhsC9QAszn5uNys_lKtZVQvZNiNh9LVCT7_tjacevYLHrSA4/s1600/IMG_0567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrtJWm2IZGIAruwp0ygMEt2sRZv879Sy15uGufUor3pYpJjEh4th6BB3X0L9_ik9qJ3Pa0zvOZEJY0HhVP77cX_-roIImKhsC9QAszn5uNys_lKtZVQvZNiNh9LVCT7_tjacevYLHrSA4/s400/IMG_0567.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not your standard Starbucks!</td></tr>
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After braving the cold, we had to stop in at <a href="http://www.balzacs.com/">Balzac</a>'s for a coffee - again, it's one of those places I've been wanting to visit for a while! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6u4qxjBqtHaX_tgjv26m6NLR8bYTSVa82hBPfghGsXKuACW4cULA8pGssz5HRCjftEKuobjDUrU9-eZJumO6pxwmrkpEQVbfnDBYyXY60pyVxFKXwA6mqMkdaIW5oIrR8cnMN8snqSNo/s1600/IMG_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6u4qxjBqtHaX_tgjv26m6NLR8bYTSVa82hBPfghGsXKuACW4cULA8pGssz5HRCjftEKuobjDUrU9-eZJumO6pxwmrkpEQVbfnDBYyXY60pyVxFKXwA6mqMkdaIW5oIrR8cnMN8snqSNo/s400/IMG_0569.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nUhGC2UecBsfHBqZUWqHqDRq9EEDXyi72goQxpAAIa8kfLwd40uWMsF6V4OTWttdIEvUHv2WbhYe1v7DKrHxUoGJY_9QA8jHShwpkzO6aX_1YxqI6iN7eAZIR-94y9dsNahtnv-DB3cJ/s1600/IMG_0571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nUhGC2UecBsfHBqZUWqHqDRq9EEDXyi72goQxpAAIa8kfLwd40uWMsF6V4OTWttdIEvUHv2WbhYe1v7DKrHxUoGJY_9QA8jHShwpkzO6aX_1YxqI6iN7eAZIR-94y9dsNahtnv-DB3cJ/s400/IMG_0571.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all the coffee goodness...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8q41vMXyN84E8DFfWHr6kWYWmngjN5QvSFZyJgXe4qEeMU6AtBv41Zdf5bCHPXbNxkQVIkDF3ro28WQ1zUXRg37kQeC_wVCRc7dErq2FSqNGAcaPs9pGvjYo1qnqyVl-O3ymPqqjvWws/s1600/IMG_0570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8q41vMXyN84E8DFfWHr6kWYWmngjN5QvSFZyJgXe4qEeMU6AtBv41Zdf5bCHPXbNxkQVIkDF3ro28WQ1zUXRg37kQeC_wVCRc7dErq2FSqNGAcaPs9pGvjYo1qnqyVl-O3ymPqqjvWws/s400/IMG_0570.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you think <a href="http://myoldnewhouse.blogspot.ca/2011/08/i-is-for.html">Rob Ford </a>has his own coffee blend? Yeah, me neither.</td></tr>
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I had enough coffee at home, so I didn't buy anything (other than a latte to warm up with!). But I will be back...<br />
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We then decided to go to some of the wineries. There are so many of them, I couldn't even begin to name them, and more are starting up all the time. But we settled on three - <a href="http://www.peller.com/">Peller</a>, <a href="http://pondviewwinery.com/">Pondview</a> and <a href="http://www.colaneriwines.com/">Colaneri</a>.<br />
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Peller was fun - they had a special food menu for the weekend, and in keeping with the spirit of the festival, everything was outside.<br />
<br />
Did I mention it was <i>really</i> cold? And really, really, really windy?? Fortunately, they had a bunch of these scattered about:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQub2Z-6yI8r5mRJsVxXAhvdeQhSF3v7jZ_45vOGez_NoR5lllBPy0GnuSoIjYzkjGMBJ1Gs7EmHPCmFKTBpYY2EfQF07bpSLg4A-XwwpoMjAdaeb9cM94cWhh6ESl_W_WgCGt26l3exv-/s1600/IMG_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQub2Z-6yI8r5mRJsVxXAhvdeQhSF3v7jZ_45vOGez_NoR5lllBPy0GnuSoIjYzkjGMBJ1Gs7EmHPCmFKTBpYY2EfQF07bpSLg4A-XwwpoMjAdaeb9cM94cWhh6ESl_W_WgCGt26l3exv-/s400/IMG_0576.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
And some of these:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttsBaL7gYe_4FwmdEODbDpwSIQm2zSRimL6VMoy4uzisipb2cKj8MztJQQLfqcn20wWxidbBfj1G5WZIGRXeUZbigfELfdzpXvtA8USEO3WgYoZCLWBvQMzDlyq-X1AsbIueeBQWJUnI6/s1600/IMG_0575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttsBaL7gYe_4FwmdEODbDpwSIQm2zSRimL6VMoy4uzisipb2cKj8MztJQQLfqcn20wWxidbBfj1G5WZIGRXeUZbigfELfdzpXvtA8USEO3WgYoZCLWBvQMzDlyq-X1AsbIueeBQWJUnI6/s400/IMG_0575.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
So you could do this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXPpvyQETYepbar6A1CQlHbglaR8gpunIDIWiCYLuoavpk-jitLpBf46kcL6wgSsfYp393xvTB9A3tdhVMyyThVMfQi393ac0KTkUnrtnmrF_uoepUHl32bmX_slozDvpdBxy186_pL-m/s1600/IMG_0577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXPpvyQETYepbar6A1CQlHbglaR8gpunIDIWiCYLuoavpk-jitLpBf46kcL6wgSsfYp393xvTB9A3tdhVMyyThVMfQi393ac0KTkUnrtnmrF_uoepUHl32bmX_slozDvpdBxy186_pL-m/s400/IMG_0577.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
To get this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgE-VtaXiv8sME6ZQpWgJO6tETTyPcutG5Rb0AE1FWRBRXoIcSlMx60dKvQ9N35pSeURSSDpawE_Us0u_V8s1ggkFPAEC0I7jvic37Gm9-V7ajzHnlaV95vuntOr9xGsoezccL6AOoVjI/s1600/IMG_0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgE-VtaXiv8sME6ZQpWgJO6tETTyPcutG5Rb0AE1FWRBRXoIcSlMx60dKvQ9N35pSeURSSDpawE_Us0u_V8s1ggkFPAEC0I7jvic37Gm9-V7ajzHnlaV95vuntOr9xGsoezccL6AOoVjI/s400/IMG_0578.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
So you could then try to eat it. In the wind. Without getting any in your hair :)<br />
<br />
Oh well - marshmallow washes out easily, and it was the first time I ever roasted marshmallows in the winter! I think that needs to become a new Christmas tradition...<br />
<br />
After tasting some great Peller wines, we went to Pondview, where I saw the whole reason for the entire event:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtoyVrPJ0yXJzYsxUDc6OC80pikat89zVIVC7036tvlwLWb3K6IoJ_ToYwjpOlLCk3E9KIuqoYjinhkfWlyulZDT942ilg3ye808Hl_3uJU-5SrcHtB3MI5eOPbao7q2MhIw0TOKW9NWV/s1600/IMG_0584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtoyVrPJ0yXJzYsxUDc6OC80pikat89zVIVC7036tvlwLWb3K6IoJ_ToYwjpOlLCk3E9KIuqoYjinhkfWlyulZDT942ilg3ye808Hl_3uJU-5SrcHtB3MI5eOPbao7q2MhIw0TOKW9NWV/s400/IMG_0584.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
It's hard to see (I didn't want to walk across the vineyard to get a better picture), but yes, those are grapes still on the vine. We tasted a few nice wines, including an excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, and then were treated to their special pairings for the festival: a slice of cucumber topped with cheese and hot pepper icewine jelly, and bread topped with blue cheese, both paired with their Vidal icewine, followed by a chocolate cup filled with their Cabernet France icewine. Which tasted exactly like a chocolate covered cherry. A very good, very expensive chocolate covered cherry :)<br />
<br />
Our last stop was at Colaneri, a winery I had never visited before. My brother wanted me to taste their equivalent to icewine: <b class="white"></b>Recioto. Recioto wine is made from dried grapes, and results in an intensely flavoured, sweet dessert wine. We tasted all four of their Profondo line: Chenin Blanc, Pinot Grigio, <b class="white"></b>Gewurztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc. My favourite of the four was the Gewurztraminer, and again, I'm going to have to stop back in one day, both to buy some recioto and to taste some other wines!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNkl6uVuX2nO4LSONDT8ba2W8Se1Zz08CwRTOPoL40kYEV_F3qdQ4ca5F0kLfQIB4vggeDe4Vlmpn9oZUULvap-uqCoJ2sss9Tt5LjeKVaR6vxf3hYh6Y55quQmZ4bSlgH9ywHIKJWEqa/s400/IMG_0586.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gewurztraminer recioto</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After all that, we decided to call it a day. Looking back at this post, it seems like we drank a lot of wine, but keep in mind: each tasting is a small amount of wine, and my brother, the designated driver, was spitting, like a good taster does!<br />
<br />
This is definitely an event that any local wine lover should go to, and I'm looking forward to next year - hopefully, the weather will be more cooperative, and I'll get to experience the entire event!<br />
<br />
_________________________________________________________<br />
Full disclosure: My brother worked for a local winery in the past, and still works in the industry. All tastings were complimentary, but this did not influence any of my reviews. <br />
<br />Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-22550488231725755232013-01-23T09:17:00.000-05:002013-01-23T12:59:58.583-05:00Grocery Spending Update #2I suck at this.<br />
<br />
Really.<br />
<br />
I <i>cannot</i> stick to a budget. <br />
<br />
Sigh.<br />
<br />
The stash isn't too bad - I knew I'd be buying pork this month to make sausage and put some away for pulled pork, so just over $40 for 30+ pounds of pork and associated fixings isn't bad at all.<br />
<br />
But my non-stash spending...<br />
<br />
Sigh.<br />
<br />
Bread and potatoes - no problem. Salt and spice from the bulk food store - no problem. My "treat" of ravioli and tortellini (it was on sale!!), and two cans of hot chocolate - bad, bad, bad. And completely unnecessary. And yes, I'm back to buying hot chocolate mix - Dad likes a cup when he's over here working, and he doesn't like my homemade stuff :(<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Spending Jan. 14-20:<br />
<br />
Non-stash:<br />
Pasta: $7.52<br />
Bread: $1.97<br />
Potatoes: $0.95<br />
Hot Chocolate: $5.98<br />
Salt: $1.83<br />
Allspice: $0.40<br />
<br />
Stash:<br />
Pork: $38.19<br />
Sausage Casings: $4.00<br />
<br />
Balance to date: <span style="color: red;">-$22.78</span> for non-stash, <span style="color: red;">-$32.04</span> for stash.</blockquote>
I really suck at this. And the stash spending is going to take a HUGE hit this week... Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-71365708939999569142013-01-22T08:43:00.002-05:002013-01-22T08:43:21.510-05:00And So it Begins....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhis2w3DKBCt4oiU271VlgqBrsFLJDtlVtbVr5LDBRn9JzATRuVrIp-YqPa_x5QOtKj2A3D1c4SiA7KDRDRlxi3ghfiUV9XRbyPN7qnJIraUIDVx-ZEwq0DCAv7buLEkNJthYbBnm9716Aw/s1600/IMG_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhis2w3DKBCt4oiU271VlgqBrsFLJDtlVtbVr5LDBRn9JzATRuVrIp-YqPa_x5QOtKj2A3D1c4SiA7KDRDRlxi3ghfiUV9XRbyPN7qnJIraUIDVx-ZEwq0DCAv7buLEkNJthYbBnm9716Aw/s400/IMG_0615.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And it's almost time to start some of those!Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-29525395225678008822013-01-17T11:55:00.000-05:002013-01-17T11:55:45.720-05:00Grocery Spending UpdateOnce the kitchen cabinets were installed, and I stared putting things away, I realized just how much food I had in the house. So I decided to do a small challenge: eat the food instead of buying more ;)<br />
<br />
I decided to try to limit my spending to $5 a week, which would be enough for perishables like milk and bread. And so far, so...<br />
<br />
<br />
Not so good. As of today, I'm $9 in the hole, not counting the 10 pounds of ground beef I bought.<br />
<br />
Yes, I know, I know. I'm not supposed to be <i>adding</i> to my stash. But I did need ground beef - honest!<br />
<br />
Thus, a small rule change. $5 a week for non-stash items, and $10 a week goes to the stash. This limit doesn't include my egg CSA, which was pre-paid, and also doesn't include non-food items (like bleach or vinegar used for cleaning). <br />
<br />
I'm tempted to include my garden seed purchases this year under the stash column - after all, it is food spending!<br />
<br />
One thing I have done is to look hard at what I am spending money on. The biggest single item was 4L vegetable oil ($5), but that should last for a while. The next biggest?<br />
<br />
Pizza dough. Yeah, I know. Completely non-necessary! But I'm trying to limit my takeout meals and my biggest weakness is pizza. So I figured that if I made it a habit to make my own pizza once a week, I'd be saving all that money wasted on takeout 'za. Dough is only $1.49, after all... which doesn't sound bad at all, until you realize it's 30% of my weekly budget!<br />
<br />
Which leads me to my next largest purchase: yeast. :)<br />
<br />
Spending to date:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Non-stash:<br />
Oil $4.97<br />
<br />
Pizza dough $4.47 (1.49 x 3)<br />
Pizza Sauce $1.18<br />
Yeast $3.99<br />
Mushrooms $1.76<br />
Onions $1.88<br />
Grape tomatoes (couldn't resist) $0.88<br />
<br />
Stash:<br />
Ground Beef $19.85</blockquote>
<br />
So, balance to date: <span style="color: red;">$-9.13</span> for non-stash, $0.15 for stash.<br />
<br />
Must. Do. Better!Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-80248033084272124932013-01-14T07:00:00.000-05:002013-01-14T09:56:48.523-05:00The Gift that Keeps on Giving....<br />
My sister got me this fantastic kitchen rug as a Christmas gift - well, at least it was <i>supposed</i> to be a gift for me...<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrWCNqqLs-FTs1DD8owmz8vI_2Tru79tOAxxgX54pNNk4KxqvkKeVrM3gfX-oJrF92wm31NvmrKFYDSHq4MLDXkM9UwQfn-9FLpCOQerbWQi-54960W5zi6XBm4J0YUtQIe2nXkMUAt5e/s1600/IMG_0516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrWCNqqLs-FTs1DD8owmz8vI_2Tru79tOAxxgX54pNNk4KxqvkKeVrM3gfX-oJrF92wm31NvmrKFYDSHq4MLDXkM9UwQfn-9FLpCOQerbWQi-54960W5zi6XBm4J0YUtQIe2nXkMUAt5e/s400/IMG_0516.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We can haz food?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinc2ZgevRFLwSyLQC0Ranz4HM-AxPKtN66DFTiMHQ94RNChLEiUs6J6sFdEcEa2Gqvxeg0WxWWAuKs81R_0R0xqA73cZ98uNK-HnnmZBaY4hj3G_uMaqgUurx0yS15FfOYFWo5gxBbZNy2/s1600/IMG_0517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinc2ZgevRFLwSyLQC0Ranz4HM-AxPKtN66DFTiMHQ94RNChLEiUs6J6sFdEcEa2Gqvxeg0WxWWAuKs81R_0R0xqA73cZ98uNK-HnnmZBaY4hj3G_uMaqgUurx0yS15FfOYFWo5gxBbZNy2/s400/IMG_0517.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that food over there?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3bFP-B1KAiTWTWA6qq8JzCaPGn-aRhg29dbvMAOFwve_8ZrmGW8jFwWr0diGmxSN927acP_f9-vgexJv6-sXjYRDfCfursWGhzStkvEAK491-Vw_Qjf-cuTY8rgdX77fRoLBOx6pFBKP/s1600/IMG_0518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3bFP-B1KAiTWTWA6qq8JzCaPGn-aRhg29dbvMAOFwve_8ZrmGW8jFwWr0diGmxSN927acP_f9-vgexJv6-sXjYRDfCfursWGhzStkvEAK491-Vw_Qjf-cuTY8rgdX77fRoLBOx6pFBKP/s400/IMG_0518.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption">Maybe over there?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeFJvYFCAxagUGz48sQkeVye3uqVL-L3-Zevx_o_dQ2ZGD6eakEBv_HSEzpjFGt0rYsz70P5HCRFlMYBQFSXd1tnrDSHuJahRImaUyZwn1XEX1gXW4sK4lygDA8rDhaMAbZV1geb9u2mQ/s1600/IMG_0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeFJvYFCAxagUGz48sQkeVye3uqVL-L3-Zevx_o_dQ2ZGD6eakEBv_HSEzpjFGt0rYsz70P5HCRFlMYBQFSXd1tnrDSHuJahRImaUyZwn1XEX1gXW4sK4lygDA8rDhaMAbZV1geb9u2mQ/s400/IMG_0519.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We give up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZUBlFna3jzFOlFTY0TCFuZW2UldpvYipNmAsPAyiwRHLvKPRd7aMyICt9fniuhx5DCcai3pzJK4KP-ajn93wxb3GTp5ymXok9e4Rb9UfYSF6ObVAWSfP-GH3vTOGBgPKkuYBS5r_u8Wk/s1600/IMG_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZUBlFna3jzFOlFTY0TCFuZW2UldpvYipNmAsPAyiwRHLvKPRd7aMyICt9fniuhx5DCcai3pzJK4KP-ajn93wxb3GTp5ymXok9e4Rb9UfYSF6ObVAWSfP-GH3vTOGBgPKkuYBS5r_u8Wk/s400/IMG_0521.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How about now?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPZhOuIM4mOiAAOPXAqTrY0GnD3AVEj5FU726K3LpIl6_EM2Yqxfkii8c1lWS0r26bAZIbBOfdT7kB_26_Qi2aKzaqPtDq-HriqMeOyoJajArEK_d2Z7sbVRyD-3lAwc-bHlqb6_a1e_Z/s1600/IMG_0522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPZhOuIM4mOiAAOPXAqTrY0GnD3AVEj5FU726K3LpIl6_EM2Yqxfkii8c1lWS0r26bAZIbBOfdT7kB_26_Qi2aKzaqPtDq-HriqMeOyoJajArEK_d2Z7sbVRyD-3lAwc-bHlqb6_a1e_Z/s400/IMG_0522.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sigh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oxqKCqyMkOttx2XCkst5-NUhn0kMiEeomrwV2CG3pZOyCh5b7mye8h7Dip3eFZjePmB4JsAe42zRxRpPIDaVWFmsefKhkyJSYq3AxsYutHESjQgpQ1WoH_PpAp56aQNPeL5SoLszXlUR/s1600/IMG_0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oxqKCqyMkOttx2XCkst5-NUhn0kMiEeomrwV2CG3pZOyCh5b7mye8h7Dip3eFZjePmB4JsAe42zRxRpPIDaVWFmsefKhkyJSYq3AxsYutHESjQgpQ1WoH_PpAp56aQNPeL5SoLszXlUR/s400/IMG_0515.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starving.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDxCsO6NFGysXKL8VddgAxwkF7WnngNqrB-ILfYDdTivUz0AX6UVZc4_fQb5RXPVNkPMWWJIWhgxpyBZgL_VceqWUOzRGixXK_7tw9ffArCi0URoJLvJ0fFLAEW5LJi5w3ukH5fVWYbNG/s1600/IMG_0523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDxCsO6NFGysXKL8VddgAxwkF7WnngNqrB-ILfYDdTivUz0AX6UVZc4_fQb5RXPVNkPMWWJIWhgxpyBZgL_VceqWUOzRGixXK_7tw9ffArCi0URoJLvJ0fFLAEW5LJi5w3ukH5fVWYbNG/s400/IMG_0523.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are cute - now feed us, or the rug gets it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-62211477474174133042013-01-13T12:42:00.001-05:002013-01-13T12:42:23.889-05:00January HarvestAs a follow up to the last post, this is what I harvested today. Not bad, considering they had no protection at all!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjf42O97fe4gl5J8Gq-uQwGpRHlErK_tAl3h4mkGFyA1cZgade54p94Qo62KiDGtV4lL64jw6GnXlM48FWfGJRIfx1fkFvea3vmxlNdF30RgylXpkUvtKhbt2RkoeilPW8hJLGVu9K_b4/s1600/IMG_0547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjf42O97fe4gl5J8Gq-uQwGpRHlErK_tAl3h4mkGFyA1cZgade54p94Qo62KiDGtV4lL64jw6GnXlM48FWfGJRIfx1fkFvea3vmxlNdF30RgylXpkUvtKhbt2RkoeilPW8hJLGVu9K_b4/s400/IMG_0547.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not bad for a mid-winter harvest!</td></tr>
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The leeks will get sauteed, and some will go with tonight's supper (steak and potatoes, in case you were curious). The rest, along with the cabbage, will join some mashed potatoes for something special... any guesses??<br />
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<br />Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-19331320515289461672013-01-11T10:00:00.003-05:002013-01-11T10:16:28.020-05:00The Garden in JanuaryAfter a few weeks of cold and snow, we've hit our annual January Thaw. It's been above freezing, even at night, for the past couple of days, and, according to the weather peeps, this will continue into next week. Woot!<br />
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I didn't get a winter garden going this year (renos won out), but I did leave a few things in the garden, mainly to see how they would do.<br />
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Did you know rabbits like leeks?? <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsQb9SOe3EFPaTMbNEgRC_gKC7CoC3vj0hw4t5j8u01nrosf6wSg_AdmPWEHHcrRaX6eyzEu28p7jvOCncdeM4uBa3n79Upi-hak5auF_yclmx0IW19gRdCS0cHA5ll5U0ouf6OrcMxB1/s1600/IMG_0529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsQb9SOe3EFPaTMbNEgRC_gKC7CoC3vj0hw4t5j8u01nrosf6wSg_AdmPWEHHcrRaX6eyzEu28p7jvOCncdeM4uBa3n79Upi-hak5auF_yclmx0IW19gRdCS0cHA5ll5U0ouf6OrcMxB1/s400/IMG_0529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shorn leeks</td></tr>
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The leeks, although shorn, are still edible, and I'm going to have to pick a few this week, just in case it freezes again. Potatoes are on sale this week, so a pot of leek & potato soup is on the menu! (Did I ever mention that my second crop of potatoes, those earmarked for storage, got decimated by a one-two punch of voles and wireworms? Grumble, grumble, grumble...)<br />
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Rabbits also like celery.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyREAog74lY87Tt1eq_XM1ZCFVMm30IFzI-eZllpITijFw39q_7rQ3MtA9WLttIfimmNsQGwYmYLCITDD_RYpIZ3eaqu6oPjLeNy1YKZ9_7aXQqRkBbLURtpD7DyMEbww22zonCdAQWXT7/s1600/IMG_0533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyREAog74lY87Tt1eq_XM1ZCFVMm30IFzI-eZllpITijFw39q_7rQ3MtA9WLttIfimmNsQGwYmYLCITDD_RYpIZ3eaqu6oPjLeNy1YKZ9_7aXQqRkBbLURtpD7DyMEbww22zonCdAQWXT7/s400/IMG_0533.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaf celery</td></tr>
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I was impressed at the hardiness of celery - I used garden celery in my Thanksgiving supper, and it was still going strong into December. I'm even more impressed with leaf celery - since I use celery mostly in cooking, leaf celery works perfectly fine, and seems to be more resistant to whatever it was that was gnawing on the outer celery stalks. <br />
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Rabbits also like my currant bushes :( <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVRR4FmkkQi7R6PfZdHaZsqP5JpjAexxZN5YWOGmLKz4zxovSsh14bsF41Wgi6OYfvnkIi3lVq2R_TEhOZfIqAvDT0yri5YY1xfd2rlGNGSTVaYozlwMYgLyTAcNrZn-1clQtsveRUHmj/s1600/IMG_0532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVRR4FmkkQi7R6PfZdHaZsqP5JpjAexxZN5YWOGmLKz4zxovSsh14bsF41Wgi6OYfvnkIi3lVq2R_TEhOZfIqAvDT0yri5YY1xfd2rlGNGSTVaYozlwMYgLyTAcNrZn-1clQtsveRUHmj/s400/IMG_0532.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drowning currant</td></tr>
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I don't know what I was thinking, but I neglected to protect my fruit bushes from the rascally varmints. The got the grape vines too :((<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVJCsXRk4zTJ-S91nITH_tgHy6ql58386yJXrcakyJ5trzADqtqe4y0nYzfm0Z-A-Sa_eVsGbNF7YWO7LQYtrbfkXAH78DUyUZRwF1LtwmA1gzx6kgKSRWcDm79bAT5qlOIRPCGATsFPT/s1600/IMG_0539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVJCsXRk4zTJ-S91nITH_tgHy6ql58386yJXrcakyJ5trzADqtqe4y0nYzfm0Z-A-Sa_eVsGbNF7YWO7LQYtrbfkXAH78DUyUZRwF1LtwmA1gzx6kgKSRWcDm79bAT5qlOIRPCGATsFPT/s400/IMG_0539.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nibbled grape vine</td></tr>
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And the carrots. Sigh. If I want to store more things right in the garden, I'll need to come up with something to keep the critters out. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YGEMcp40RtqzlPAPrqBFGXjdt2O5Nxrd1fNfomJ50cgTaAuWUP2J1vm44KZ0hgZKFCYk_-LOe4dQAU_usKG6fGWEsN6aR0eP3Tyosa4knP44jcJwbmL6UMa9vgGxQ54g2Pr_FjAhOFnh/s1600/IMG_0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YGEMcp40RtqzlPAPrqBFGXjdt2O5Nxrd1fNfomJ50cgTaAuWUP2J1vm44KZ0hgZKFCYk_-LOe4dQAU_usKG6fGWEsN6aR0eP3Tyosa4knP44jcJwbmL6UMa9vgGxQ54g2Pr_FjAhOFnh/s400/IMG_0536.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ignore the weeds, focus on the carrot - just like the rabbits did</td></tr>
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But, the rabbits don't like kale and collards!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkUUOoEiSB8fqCIP407giBwTCrzQgnh6nH8R6bl99FOTwT0s8mRLL6Jz6vbbqK-10bO9brDhYEihLYddrVvYu3sg3Do03qobUrLvpyUVaQEN9c-lHJKkujXw14E0vD9Rfv6ZIl502g5Q8/s1600/IMG_0534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkUUOoEiSB8fqCIP407giBwTCrzQgnh6nH8R6bl99FOTwT0s8mRLL6Jz6vbbqK-10bO9brDhYEihLYddrVvYu3sg3Do03qobUrLvpyUVaQEN9c-lHJKkujXw14E0vD9Rfv6ZIl502g5Q8/s400/IMG_0534.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collards</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YnAx4R4oeRrxudcTFafFlB4nWD8Zxqtz2IObK9qUIlKY0aFAKlqfRNx3bIkWpRJJQhjbHndk9_Lhr3dvLdwmznsn0V-Tkh2FPQGna-Qs0FpSMb-e0v6q6o02CZj3SzM2LZhebLLug6dJ/s1600/IMG_0535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YnAx4R4oeRrxudcTFafFlB4nWD8Zxqtz2IObK9qUIlKY0aFAKlqfRNx3bIkWpRJJQhjbHndk9_Lhr3dvLdwmznsn0V-Tkh2FPQGna-Qs0FpSMb-e0v6q6o02CZj3SzM2LZhebLLug6dJ/s400/IMG_0535.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kale - anyone know the variety? The one problem with variety packs, I don't remember what is what!</td></tr>
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They look good enough to eat, especially the collards, and I think I will!<br />
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The beets are doing well too. And they are HUGE. The rabbits are nibbling on the leaves, but not the roots. I purposely left some of the 3-Root Grex beets in the ground, to see if I could over-winter them and get seed this coming summer. If not, no big loss, but I am interested in figuring out seed saving for biennial species. <br />
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The other thing that is going strong in my winter garden? A herb. Recognize it?<br />
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Believe it or not, oregano! I might just have to pick some for tonight's pizza! <br />
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A flock of honking geese flew over while I was out in the garden. Too bad they don't eat rabbit...Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-76304826498730361172013-01-09T17:58:00.000-05:002013-01-09T17:58:03.418-05:00At Last...I <i>finally</i> decided on fabric for my bedroom curtains. I knew I wanted something that had a white (or at least light) background, and was mainly blue and/or green.And the colours in it had to be "clear", not grey-toned blues or sage-toned greens. <br />
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Do you know how hard that is to find? <br />
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But finally, I found one I really liked - and even better, I had a 50% off coupon! Considering I need curtains for 3 windows, for a total of 12 yards, that 50% off made the purchase a bit easier to swallow. <br />
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I like the overall pattern, but I really like how the details look like quilting and needle work. Like this little "patchwork" flower:<br />
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And this pretty "cross-stitched" one!<br />
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Now, just to finish the drywall. And paint. And make the curtains...Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-20651005233049132202013-01-07T14:13:00.001-05:002013-01-07T14:16:24.682-05:00The BEST Pancakes - Oatmeal Pancakes!Yes, that's right, oatmeal pancakes. I know, I know - I turned up my nose too when I first heard of them. And then I tried one.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pancakes cooking on one of my Christmas presents - thanks, Mom & Dad!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost ready to flip...</td></tr>
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And they are good. So good, I don't know that I'll go back to making regular pancakes. Not that I eat pancakes often, but still...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dwScI6sZgkkb1ad-o4KThmtLq_SRpnWF4ROL2t4UxDkqrvfHmsQFJj3F4sOsdTnwh8jP1PPB0mz0JeaMG3iJibjwebsmuHYTu6ivNXFy1DB9KQWdOHwXJQA_KdQAX0fk-h7Px98AIM2m/s1600/IMG_0491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dwScI6sZgkkb1ad-o4KThmtLq_SRpnWF4ROL2t4UxDkqrvfHmsQFJj3F4sOsdTnwh8jP1PPB0mz0JeaMG3iJibjwebsmuHYTu6ivNXFy1DB9KQWdOHwXJQA_KdQAX0fk-h7Px98AIM2m/s400/IMG_0491.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can I have some?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL6WLkb6o-bNpySLPSrrbfvpCdUXHK4e-c8CBVO0mYbrYqU6Bl3eu5ZpTWYUAGzGE1_hSBtD0wQ19mzmwd6S2d83eAw6Bb3ci87PRkL55QrQHNtQ07eAYWyoXDB0jb8VUQn5n8Je7w4lZ/s1600/IMG_0494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL6WLkb6o-bNpySLPSrrbfvpCdUXHK4e-c8CBVO0mYbrYqU6Bl3eu5ZpTWYUAGzGE1_hSBtD0wQ19mzmwd6S2d83eAw6Bb3ci87PRkL55QrQHNtQ07eAYWyoXDB0jb8VUQn5n8Je7w4lZ/s400/IMG_0494.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now it's ready to flip!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After cooking, you'd be hard pressed to tell that there was any oatmeal in the pancakes, but there is a definite improvement in taste - these pancakes are almost nutty in flavour, and they are also VERY filling.<br />
<br />
The only drawback is that you have to let the oats sit in milk for an hour first - but really, they are worth the wait!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4aoXxtEw_jzvJdGaDA2V46ONDP0j8LnG1SHP53yMY36ARQQpgvkyF6iA6MuA0vK1MGJQVnfHIMVyEXzLqUDzsb9msDNBsVnjmau-WzKoOnMBReMNLYuVohRHkcxQfTDI4GFSzzx1g7zaj/s1600/IMG_0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4aoXxtEw_jzvJdGaDA2V46ONDP0j8LnG1SHP53yMY36ARQQpgvkyF6iA6MuA0vK1MGJQVnfHIMVyEXzLqUDzsb9msDNBsVnjmau-WzKoOnMBReMNLYuVohRHkcxQfTDI4GFSzzx1g7zaj/s400/IMG_0492.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd like some too please!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0oatHRGCMzizdOYxTSU4B6R28YPMlO4Wlr0Ng6kcYFSqRGZXRs5NEpue9GOXMHAmUZsmyJm8tIAKjbwXhFSfi29ddZmbT2Qh-Xdcmw0axhQ9XrhNHk6o5bgTm8-L5YrJQy2yHnWzGeb3/s1600/IMG_0495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0oatHRGCMzizdOYxTSU4B6R28YPMlO4Wlr0Ng6kcYFSqRGZXRs5NEpue9GOXMHAmUZsmyJm8tIAKjbwXhFSfi29ddZmbT2Qh-Xdcmw0axhQ9XrhNHk6o5bgTm8-L5YrJQy2yHnWzGeb3/s400/IMG_0495.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect! (As long as you ignore that dark spot).</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLax0-KHpLPWc_Dwcok-FAJQs94SatXmZXfWPnxPNauwTWazGvO-SkRNlShhHP2MDHA7_uIYQmEqYcQbrjR-AHfeLOD65_OfqYvR3hWIDIvvxytFNXO96O9zkhdjIDW2VU1GkEe6wDGSeS/s1600/IMG_0498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLax0-KHpLPWc_Dwcok-FAJQs94SatXmZXfWPnxPNauwTWazGvO-SkRNlShhHP2MDHA7_uIYQmEqYcQbrjR-AHfeLOD65_OfqYvR3hWIDIvvxytFNXO96O9zkhdjIDW2VU1GkEe6wDGSeS/s400/IMG_0498.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Recipe: Oatmeal Pancakes </span></div>
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1 1/2 cups oatmeal (rolled oats, not steal-cut oats)</div>
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2 cups milk</div>
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3 eggs</div>
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1/4 cup vegetable oil</div>
2 tablespoons white sugar<br />
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2 tablespoons baking powder </div>
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3/4 t salt</div>
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1 cup flour</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Soak
oats and milk for one hour. Add next five ingredients, mix well. Add
flour, and mix well again. Cook as you would regular pancakes.</div>
</blockquote>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I haven't tried them with any additions, but I think they'd be tasty with walnuts added to the batter, then topped with apples and syrup. Or blueberries. Or any other fruit. So many options...</div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-72083796998837524432013-01-06T11:03:00.002-05:002013-01-06T11:03:33.577-05:00Heads Up - Seedy Saturday is Coming Soon!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGxe_FT8KfV-ZgMUjr8rGyrcyXn5_kK_neSVb26EXI8Fu8-Svt4cOrhWuRqR-Y-9LwilCZdqO-Z2Q7og1ylTZlnlYFQXCK1ZaGWaNpHs1UrNoMzxTtbZIwKUNtb0r2MB36XveJtWrdRcG/s1600/DSC03404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGxe_FT8KfV-ZgMUjr8rGyrcyXn5_kK_neSVb26EXI8Fu8-Svt4cOrhWuRqR-Y-9LwilCZdqO-Z2Q7og1ylTZlnlYFQXCK1ZaGWaNpHs1UrNoMzxTtbZIwKUNtb0r2MB36XveJtWrdRcG/s400/DSC03404.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It's that time of the year again - time for Seedy Saturday! And really, you should go. It's a great event - a chance to hear some great speakers, and peruse the wares of local (well, at least regional) businesses and organizations, including heirloom seed suppliers. <br />
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This year, it will be held on February 9, 2013, at the Glengate Alliance Church, 6009 Valley Way, Niagara Falls, from 10-3pm. A nice central location, good parking (and the parking should be free).<br />
<br />
Confirmed speakers: <span class="userContent"><a href="http://kathyrenwald.com/Site/Welcome.html">Kathy Renwald</a> (author, journalist, tv host), <a href="http://www.wellandtribune.ca/author/theresa-forte">Theresa Forte</a> (garden writer), <a href="http://usc-canada.org/what-we-do/where-we-work/nepal/">Kate Green</a> (USC), and Elva T (<a href="http://rhizomefarms.blogspot.ca/">Rhizome Farm</a>). </span> <br />
<br />
Confirmed exhibitors: <span class="userContent"><a href="http://www.seeds.ca/en.php">Seeds of Diversity</a>, <a href="http://www.uharvest.ca/">Urban Harvest</a></span><span class="userContent">, <a href="http://www.thegardenofeating-niagara.com/">Garden of Eating Niagara</a>, Your Private Gardener, <a href="http://www.niagaramg.mgoi.ca/">Master Gardeners of Niagara</a> and <a href="http://www.treeandtwig.ca/">Tree & Twig</a> (Linda of Tree & Twig is the main force behind Seedy Saturday - I don't know where she gets all her energy?)</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">There will probably be more exhibitors there, and of course, there is always the main focus of the event - the seed swap. But even if you don't have your own seeds to bring, you can still attend. It's an excellent event, and it's a great chance to meet other gardeners in the area. </span><br />
<br />
You can read about last year's event <a href="http://myoldnewhouse.blogspot.ca/2012/02/seedy-saturday.html">here</a>, and get more information about this year's event <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Niagara-Seedy-Saturday/162982097069152?ref=ts&fref=ts">here</a>. <br />
<br />
These events are held all over, so if you aren't in the Niagara area, look around for your own event (sometimes it's held on Sunday, so make sure to search for both Seedy Saturday and Seedy Sunday, plus your location!). And if you can't find one in your area - start one :)Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-24241442282245991602013-01-05T17:07:00.003-05:002013-01-05T17:07:50.863-05:00The Kitchen is Finally Done (Okay, not really)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4oJnwtEiweORg3D7zzXxIbrtXtFwMkzRROO_ewybQqitZrGkNQcvvqO5rdj3r3H7hd7-j6atkkoJ2YgCLZchuB9wmTjNcTkq4T8PItVo8opgy2iR31CMWhyphenhyphenH8OP91EsARp3CJr743xdC/s1600/IMG_0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4oJnwtEiweORg3D7zzXxIbrtXtFwMkzRROO_ewybQqitZrGkNQcvvqO5rdj3r3H7hd7-j6atkkoJ2YgCLZchuB9wmTjNcTkq4T8PItVo8opgy2iR31CMWhyphenhyphenH8OP91EsARp3CJr743xdC/s400/IMG_0483.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
But at least this finally showed up! If you look back at the previous photos, the microwave had a stainless steel finish. And while I like that look, I don't like either the upkeep and price premium. So, imagine my surprise when I opened the microwave box to see the SS one, instead of the white one I actually bought! It was a mistake on the manufacturers part, as the box was clearly labelled white, and the company I bought it from was nice enough to let me use the SS one - a good thing, since it took forever to get the correct one in and delivered!<br />
<br />
However, it's finally here, and it's installed. And I think it looks great :D<br />
<br />
Now to finish the trim and the table.... <br />
<br />
<br />Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-67264878737287864742013-01-04T18:38:00.001-05:002013-01-04T18:38:18.569-05:00Nine, Ten, Eleven and Twelve of TwelveReally - I need to get better at keeping up to date with these things!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPEstvsbAdSAhinG2Mbd36S-mJuaug3L6M02SMkrwoiBgMvoX1X2RseraksxyH8RYf_fD8l29_zYeo1HW4x3XrwDUcW_YdUX-kAtHPk1H0YxaNn8YcRrgbfDCfnnLmPdy6YF-xvT17JRZ/s1600/IMG_0414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPEstvsbAdSAhinG2Mbd36S-mJuaug3L6M02SMkrwoiBgMvoX1X2RseraksxyH8RYf_fD8l29_zYeo1HW4x3XrwDUcW_YdUX-kAtHPk1H0YxaNn8YcRrgbfDCfnnLmPdy6YF-xvT17JRZ/s400/IMG_0414.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end of the feast...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you remember, last Christmas, in lieu of gifts, I gave each adult in my family a monthly invitation to a family meal. And I'm a few months late in talking about them - oops!<br />
<br />
For September, I did Mexican (well, as Mexican as it gets around here!). September is also Mom's birth month, and she likes trying ethnic food, so I thought it was a good fit. It was just a simple meal of tacos, with assorted toppings, and fajitas with chicken, pickled jalapenos and cheese. Out of the two, the fajitas were the clear winner - something to keep in mind for next time!<br />
<br />
October was Thanksgiving - not too surprising! We had the big turkey meal with all the traditional sides. Given that my kitchen was in the middle of renovations at the time, we held it at Mom & Dad's place - thanks Mom!<br />
<br />
For November, I had to plan the meal around my youngest nephew's hockey games. We had settled on Sundays as being the day that most people could get together, but, as luck would have it, my nephew ended up playing most Sunday evenings. So, I planned a quick meal after one of his games, and went with the time-honoured post-game meal of pizza and wings! As it was the first meal in the new kitchen, it was a great way for everyone to see the new kitchen, and to put it through it's paces :)<br />
<br />
And December, of course, was Christmas dinner. Basically a repeat of Thanksgiving, but with some nice additions of wine, appetizers and dessert brought by the rest of the family.<br />
<br />
It was an interesting challenge, as much for figuring out what to eat and when as for actually cooking the food. But it was nice to be able to sit down with the family once a month. And, when asked, they all agreed they liked it, and, most surprisingly, wanted the same thing for this coming year!<br />
<br />
So, stay tuned for Year 2 of Twelve Months of Food. And yes, I'll try to keep up this year!!<br />
<br />Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-16628257961043756142013-01-03T10:09:00.000-05:002013-01-03T10:09:24.418-05:00The Return of the Interloper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Over New Year's we <a href="http://myoldnewhouse.blogspot.ca/2011/01/sleep-over-and-500-dollar-challange.html">once again</a> had company, in the form of my sister's dog, Lily. While the dogs all get along, Katy can, at best, be said to tolerate her furry cousin. As you can see in the following photos...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMfFujLIDkBXSjmYaRSgRH8w9oMr2PldBpPjap5ijkrm2Sjs6udPg84Tu2lEHDtChhTeFA17tWKhwjtnDKkWcHUH991YlbtMbVuKYNXl-ZA-6u2f04acX6QTaHjkE0U1GW1_-Nf_xLpYy/s1600/IMG_0447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMfFujLIDkBXSjmYaRSgRH8w9oMr2PldBpPjap5ijkrm2Sjs6udPg84Tu2lEHDtChhTeFA17tWKhwjtnDKkWcHUH991YlbtMbVuKYNXl-ZA-6u2f04acX6QTaHjkE0U1GW1_-Nf_xLpYy/s400/IMG_0447.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why am I all alone?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI79jAX8YcLfXj2SuWkYZPtOKzcKIuqr_MZofOOFE63slLoix3je_C8sB_9ruElatMSnk9WK8McdaMg4VEq29tIAfimm1M_pumi9vpUyEd7tSs78vxbElkqypUpthWgtimWGYm2zhfiKkx/s1600/IMG_0450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI79jAX8YcLfXj2SuWkYZPtOKzcKIuqr_MZofOOFE63slLoix3je_C8sB_9ruElatMSnk9WK8McdaMg4VEq29tIAfimm1M_pumi9vpUyEd7tSs78vxbElkqypUpthWgtimWGYm2zhfiKkx/s400/IMG_0450.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There you are Katy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbC5qM2lkjQNR4VGCGak9geMuic9kB7THqLVj-X48__6aCMHfQNLYINZ6F8qmR2B2HPCqUVZWaUU9kFPKWN-c-NvdQlk5Hwh8rGplqHt2JA-gkFGQDC_tq4NSiZzQrGmjGcleqOvv1oWm/s1600/IMG_0451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbC5qM2lkjQNR4VGCGak9geMuic9kB7THqLVj-X48__6aCMHfQNLYINZ6F8qmR2B2HPCqUVZWaUU9kFPKWN-c-NvdQlk5Hwh8rGplqHt2JA-gkFGQDC_tq4NSiZzQrGmjGcleqOvv1oWm/s400/IMG_0451.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katy, where'd you go?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZy8R2rZBmybEsDV6ULd-VH7ObK-8K5eP9Nv8g1u-wBiV6tg1hFmSDmLBBYs13dIr3ZzVZOyNdA5ki0GGw5yM1i9YCPzsLt23CTg0366Opp5xLPeaP1614Kha3ZodWbJA6PfKpjsHjlaf/s1600/IMG_0453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZy8R2rZBmybEsDV6ULd-VH7ObK-8K5eP9Nv8g1u-wBiV6tg1hFmSDmLBBYs13dIr3ZzVZOyNdA5ki0GGw5yM1i9YCPzsLt23CTg0366Opp5xLPeaP1614Kha3ZodWbJA6PfKpjsHjlaf/s400/IMG_0453.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oooh, is this a good spot? Can I join you?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIeYwzdC9b349EI8wU8d_GIYL0lG1W1TRfpZbEOfdUJ-56l5Ep2ve4ILZ7EQpXsDHQPrrzFwAdteiYhamF01Zl9jiGXhtEVZ0jLAzkn2VKeJ85vZdDt1rCcOoXwm1VmcALPXyNwEMA7ok/s1600/IMG_0455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIeYwzdC9b349EI8wU8d_GIYL0lG1W1TRfpZbEOfdUJ-56l5Ep2ve4ILZ7EQpXsDHQPrrzFwAdteiYhamF01Zl9jiGXhtEVZ0jLAzkn2VKeJ85vZdDt1rCcOoXwm1VmcALPXyNwEMA7ok/s400/IMG_0455.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damn Interloper. She took my spot!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzt6VSm8c-D6Fqzkcqlb8ATQg3oBgDspDAZsRQQkvHk0ZyL9Q-IZ2x4m9s_KC_g0Ea472dmtnPNU0jYvaa2C4iG0Bsz3VptAmMg1GxPeO4e65Yzn1WxLRuOnE-W4QazKz3XofzTn3V3Hc/s1600/IMG_0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzt6VSm8c-D6Fqzkcqlb8ATQg3oBgDspDAZsRQQkvHk0ZyL9Q-IZ2x4m9s_KC_g0Ea472dmtnPNU0jYvaa2C4iG0Bsz3VptAmMg1GxPeO4e65Yzn1WxLRuOnE-W4QazKz3XofzTn3V3Hc/s400/IMG_0463.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's <i>my</i> chair! I don't want to share! I don't know how Kip can sleep...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzhdLc87X6at2S9f41FycM62B_x_gjJ0vwom0XVWqHEZvl-hs1rUgIDyuQQubHHDVdY8aUee-be_1htWCYL2NuEZqmVBGRfLkd7w-FIZUGlL_aBwy7NeJFRu0elhmlSCH4trkvyWxnHpN/s1600/IMG_0469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzhdLc87X6at2S9f41FycM62B_x_gjJ0vwom0XVWqHEZvl-hs1rUgIDyuQQubHHDVdY8aUee-be_1htWCYL2NuEZqmVBGRfLkd7w-FIZUGlL_aBwy7NeJFRu0elhmlSCH4trkvyWxnHpN/s400/IMG_0469.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fine. I'll just move to the back. Don't worry about me, I'm fine. Here. All alone. Hanging on. Precariously. By myself. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPvVm87WpEXC6JL4Ep-qEoyHD9-ss0UFFIhD1GXMTZsV3gooXOW3A6APuOwSjG6hCXhTWlcNWvfnDCtuOU9poRH0gsqDwSKlBm0gm-C4CDWqny8OuaghZPB2G2j3Rbg6aCMWiPH5o1VJg/s1600/IMG_0476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPvVm87WpEXC6JL4Ep-qEoyHD9-ss0UFFIhD1GXMTZsV3gooXOW3A6APuOwSjG6hCXhTWlcNWvfnDCtuOU9poRH0gsqDwSKlBm0gm-C4CDWqny8OuaghZPB2G2j3Rbg6aCMWiPH5o1VJg/s400/IMG_0476.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really, I'm fine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXPu7hFoECzLmzc1B0MADrbhHbsd7icKulcHh1XCNBKN2W77q82gk4TF01j7QzusHEEM06SwMpQV3ZUXxEwfhR8r1ekw2G5fK-LTbKwcbQOYYl70JwFv5KeMaeZPV9BkSJlm9sL3AuUnq/s1600/IMG_0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXPu7hFoECzLmzc1B0MADrbhHbsd7icKulcHh1XCNBKN2W77q82gk4TF01j7QzusHEEM06SwMpQV3ZUXxEwfhR8r1ekw2G5fK-LTbKwcbQOYYl70JwFv5KeMaeZPV9BkSJlm9sL3AuUnq/s400/IMG_0477.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No I'm not. I'm falling.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjq_Gs2HKcNcHUFFCh7OCUvVjqq1tm-UoJEKVPrksFBPbFTI0ZiWmidXLrLbluw3GpRAARLUP7MFt3c_T_Zhxw4Bx1NI4mSBQhmQ0eyoRn6IKGHvIU-8X_Q0ZqxPltuPmoM4R5aqcx6nC/s1600/IMG_0478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjq_Gs2HKcNcHUFFCh7OCUvVjqq1tm-UoJEKVPrksFBPbFTI0ZiWmidXLrLbluw3GpRAARLUP7MFt3c_T_Zhxw4Bx1NI4mSBQhmQ0eyoRn6IKGHvIU-8X_Q0ZqxPltuPmoM4R5aqcx6nC/s400/IMG_0478.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hate you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lily is now back at her own house, and Katy is much happier :)Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-31763495508650514592013-01-01T13:46:00.000-05:002013-02-01T12:24:08.798-05:00Hello 2013!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy New Year!</span></i></span></div>
<br />
Okay, now that that's out of the way... <br />
<br />
So this is apparently the time and place to sum up 2012 and plan for 2013.<br />
<br />
Yeah.<br />
<br />
Whatever.<br />
<br />
:)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflhltPOJFYRkg61w4cXqAPYrBAOJ48izP9ZuEHthkWJ8j4Hg9ZlLAcGtOSFjDKxcN6AyEapVb_nIJsVkE5WQh2HTXj_zvHNTqr0IUVEfnugm7Oy_x37ZxZlYF0WBIvFpaSG1LE67jrZ-B/s1600/IMG_0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflhltPOJFYRkg61w4cXqAPYrBAOJ48izP9ZuEHthkWJ8j4Hg9ZlLAcGtOSFjDKxcN6AyEapVb_nIJsVkE5WQh2HTXj_zvHNTqr0IUVEfnugm7Oy_x37ZxZlYF0WBIvFpaSG1LE67jrZ-B/s400/IMG_0479.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The garden on New Year's Day. I still have kale, collards and leeks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I did learn a few things in 2012, the biggest being that I can't do everything all at once. I can either have a fantastic vegetable garden, or I can renovate my house. I cannot do both at the same time - well I can, but not perfectly. Thus, my plans for 2013 are to focus more on the house. Now that the kitchen is done, I'm getting really annoyed at the mess in the rest of the house. But, I also have a budget to think about, so everything isn't getting done all at once. My plan is to focus on one room at a time - and hopefully I'll have a big chunk of the house done by the time spring rolls around!<br />
<br />
And I'm going to post the plan here, in hopes that I'll actually follow through...<br />
<br />
2013 House Goals: <br />
<br />
January: Living room. The drywall is up, and the first two coats on the seams. I have to finish the seams and paint. I have the fabric for curtains, which I'll need to make, and of course, all the trim, except for the baseboards and door casing, which has to wait until the floor is installed.<br />
<br />
February: Main bedroom. The drywall is done (and has been for an embarrassingly long time), so I need to do the seams, paint and make or buy curtains. <br />
<br />
March: Spare room. Same as the main bedroom.<br />
<br />
Once those walls are done, I can get the floors done, and then the rest of the trim. Which is the goal for the end of April, budget willing. I'm going with engineered wood in those rooms, and it's not cheap!<br />
<br />
During that time, Dad will be working on tearing out the old main bathroom, and turning the back addition into a new bathroom, a laundry area, a furnace room and a pantry/storage/freezer/dog room. I'll be helping, of course, and there will be drywall seams and painting to do as well in those areas.<br />
<br />
So, the main goal is to have all the major renos and the walls done by the end of May, and depending on finances, the floor and trim might get done as well.<br />
<br />
And then...<br />
<br />
Well, it all depends on money. Once the inside of the house is done, I can focus on the outside. A back deck, new siding, and re-vamp the front porch. Then flower beds! I'm not planning on getting it all done this year, but I do want to get the inside done. Four years is long enough!!<br />
<br />
As for the garden and food...<br />
<br />
You may not have noticed, but I'm not great at keeping up to date on the various challenges I've started ;)<br />
<br />
I want to do better at that, and better at posting over all. I'm going to try to post every day. We'll see how it goes!<br />
<br />
I need to find local sources for more of my food, and to figure out a meal plan that works for me. The goal for 2013 is to start buying local beef, and to try to find a source for pork. I also need to re-vamp my herb garden, and to try to grow more of my own spices as well as herbs. I'll talk more about this in other posts!<br />
<br />
And, even though I said I'd do it this year, I want to plan for a winter garden this coming year. I do have a few things in the garden right now, but not as much as I could have. Hopefully I'll have more storage come next summer, and I need to step up my game on food preservation.<br />
<br />
Since the budget is going to be tight (see renos above!), I need to really watch what I'm spending on food and on garden seeds. I plan on limiting my food budget to $5 a week for a while. I know - it sounds crazy, but I have a house full of food, and I need to start eating it!<br />
<br />
And of course, I have personal goals - the main being walking the dogs once a day, and hopefully losing some weight in the process!<br />
<br />
So, a few "small" goals to get me though 2013! Let's see what this next trip around the sun brings!<br />
<br />
<br />Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-471974284024103937.post-86701656268551785502012-12-28T09:19:00.000-05:002012-12-28T09:19:27.633-05:00It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfheSN_92FT-AfoZpzGe0P8571RlAGLmdP_f49z2ycreV6YgeKDqlkdxCdj5IrWsxII361ri5s9EzvZ-xpp5bwqBeKvGvCqHgdRyiwZ0tRghWgK_WWlC9s7kOGK_IhjjyZnDS4iLXILOtG/s1600/IMG_0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfheSN_92FT-AfoZpzGe0P8571RlAGLmdP_f49z2ycreV6YgeKDqlkdxCdj5IrWsxII361ri5s9EzvZ-xpp5bwqBeKvGvCqHgdRyiwZ0tRghWgK_WWlC9s7kOGK_IhjjyZnDS4iLXILOtG/s400/IMG_0445.JPG" width="370" /></a></div>
<br />Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681159007958146626noreply@blogger.com0