Saturday Gardening Thread: Lights in the Night [KT]

Hello, gardeners and friends of gardeners. I have been dismayed by the fires south and west of us this week. Hope to hear today from those who were near or in a fire zone. Are you all OK?

I was especially struck to hear about some of the expensive real estate lost in and near Bel-Air. Guess it's not the first fire there, though. I've only been to Bel-Air once, but it occurred to me that the brushy hills below many homes would be susceptible to wildfires. I've seen a few from the road or from the air, and most of them were on hillsides or in canyons. Those may not be the only danger zones now. Winds are picking up. Yipes.

I thought that today some calmer scenes were in order. The photo above is from the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. There's a slide show at the link. Lots of features there, including a musical light show and S'Mores kits, but I liked the relatively simple lights around the fountains above. I wonder what those fountains look like in the snow?

There are places where water features are frozen solid, however. Different approaches are possible even there.

Here are some Winter pond ideas from a landscaping firm in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Penguins, waterfalls of lights, or this extravagant inspiration from a botanical garden in Washington State.

We are looking forward to some night lights or other seasonal decorations in your yard or garden. We have one set on hand . . .

Feeding Chickens

CaliGirl sent in a photo of her pampered chickens eating pomegranates, making some members of The Horde jealous: "They come running when I get near that bush/tree."

Sometimes the branches on one of our trees bend over like that when harvest season approaches. We should probably do a little pomegranate summary sometime soon.

Feeding People

That photo also gives me a chance to post the recipe for Gordon's "Chicken Feed, Repurposed", aka Pomegranate Salsa. Couldn't find it last week when I posted the photo.

Pomegranate Salsa
Do not wear white when working with pomegranates!
Preparing the arils: Slice just deep enough to score the skin all the way around. Break it apart with your hands. Arils (the purple seed juicy things) go into one bowl, rind and white stuff in another. The brownish and/or clearish airls go away, they're not good. Fill the seed bowl with water, so the white bits can be gotten out. Drain them well. This does take some time, so allow for that.
Arils from four pomegranates
1 jalapeno, seeded, minced
1 small red onion, minced
Zest of 1/2 lime, juice of two limes
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup of chopped cilantro
Mix it up. Some people say add a bit of sugar, but they're silly. Don't omit the salt, really. It needs it.
It's better a day later. Stir it up before serving.
Serve with scoop tortilla chips. It's considered thoughtful to close your mouth before biting down.

Crunchy salsa!

And remember to check out The Deplorable Gourmet in the sidebar. Bet there are some recipes that go with Pomegranate Salsa.

Back to the subject of chickens, does anybody besides CaliGirl keep chickens for egg production? If so, you might be interested in George Washington's Eggnog, which uses raw eggs. They say these are Washington's instructions for the finished eggnog: "Let set in cool place for several days. Taste frequently."

Meanwhile, you may soon be able to try scrambled eggs made from beans. The in-crowd raves about them. This is sustainability in their dreams, apparently. Look appealing?

The beans used to make "scrambled eggs" are mung beans, the kind typically used in Chinese cooking as "bean sprouts". If Ace can sprout broccoli seeds, he can sprout mung beans. Keep them in the dark so they won't turn bitter. I think they are better for you after cooking. Also safer. Don't know if raw eggs or raw sprouts are more likely to be infected with dangerous bacteria. Follow directions, Think about using tested seed just for sprouting. I have sprouted mung beans. They really are better than the ones you buy at the store.

You might want to try sprouting this winter. Sprouting is the fastest kind of gardening. Tips and recipe at the link. Next thing you know, you'll be doing microgreens.

Co-blogger Challenge

This week, in an ONT, Misanthropic Humanitarian posted a photo of the ultimate riding lawnmower.

I'll see your riding lawnmower and raise you a nut shaker. Weird to see a line of these short little machines going down the road.

Gardens of The Horde

We haven't experienced the winds the are driving the California fires here in the Central Valley. In fact, about the time the current round of fires were starting, the fans went in the citrus groves in the nearby foothills because of freeze warnings. The tomato plants in our front yard froze except for the ones draped over the sidewalk. Picked some green tomatoes. The Snapdragons, Chrysanthemums and China Pinks made it through this frost. Even out in the open. Plants on the porch are still good.

Anything going on in your yard or Garden?

If you would like to send information and/or photos for the Saturday Gardening Thread, the address is:

ktinthegarden
at g mail dot com

Include your nic unless you want to be a lurker.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 12:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Gorgeous lighting,
Good afternoon greenthumbs

Posted by: Skip at December 09, 2017 12:28 PM (aC6Sd)

2 Had to check carefully it wasn't Longwood Gardens, that place is a Christmas wonderland

Posted by: Skip at December 09, 2017 12:29 PM (aC6Sd)

3 Hi, Skip. Longwood Gardens does have some beautiful displays.

Posted by: KT at December 09, 2017 12:31 PM (BVQ+1)

4 I've gotta run. I'll check back on the thread in a couple of hours or so.

Posted by: KT at December 09, 2017 12:32 PM (BVQ+1)

5 Wow, Skip was right - beautiful pictures, KT!

And I'm one of the ones jealous of CaliGirl's chickens. My whole family loves pomegranates.

Posted by: bluebell ~ TDG has sugar and spice and everything nice! at December 09, 2017 12:33 PM (kNasr)

6 We use a shorter nut shaker in the filbert orchards here.

Get your filthy mind out of the gutter.

They use them for shaking the cherries down for the underripe cherries to brine and use for maraschino cherries too.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 09, 2017 12:34 PM (2K6fY)

7 My son found a dandelion yesterday. He made his wish and blew, and it started snowing soon after. His wish came true.

One of the best semi-gardening experiences I've ever had.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Han didn't shoot first. ONLY Han shot at December 09, 2017 12:35 PM (y8m+O)

8 I havd been a bad gardener, my tractor still hasn't got worked on so not a leaf has been picked up. And light snow is falling on the foot of leaves in the yard.

Posted by: Skip at December 09, 2017 12:36 PM (aC6Sd)

9 Somebody called for a nutshaker?

Posted by: Sandra Fluke at December 09, 2017 12:38 PM (A3b6q)

10 Everything is dead after it snowed for 5 hours Thursday evening. Luckily I brought my plumerias and lime tree into the house that afternoon. I'm worried about my Meyer lemon in the ground and kumquat

Posted by: linduh at December 09, 2017 12:38 PM (kufk0)

11 The nutshaker picture looks like it could have been made near here in Georgia.

A lot of those groves have signs that say "It is illegal to harvest nuts from the right of way during harvest season". Season ends December 31st. People still do it though. I've caught them doing it in our yard under the pecan tree by the road. That tree doesn't make good nuts though so the jokes on them.

Posted by: freaked at December 09, 2017 12:40 PM (UdKB7)

12
We had such a weird spring that my forsythia never bloomed. I looked out the window yesterday and noticed what few branches were still green had flowers on them.

Allegedly the time to plant garlic is around the beginning of the new year. So I have that to look forward to. :~(

Posted by: Acme Explosives at December 09, 2017 12:42 PM (ajiE5)

13 I hadn't gotten around to saying it here yet, but you Cali folks he been on my mind during these fires--and in the earlier fires that kind of got ignored because of all the hurricane mess going on. I hope there's a change in the weather soon so the firefighters can get control.

Cute chickens, CaliGirl!

Posted by: stace at December 09, 2017 12:43 PM (6HFDU)

14 Thanks for the cookbook plug, KT!

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 12:45 PM (Sfs6o)

15 Skip, do you tow a sweeper, or do you have a reticulated vacuum rig? Just as things work out, vacuuming those leaves behind the ZTR is the biggest single "harvest" operation I do. You feel a little silly, but hey, I make 6 cu. yards of first-rate topsoil every year, and I'd have to be blowing, sucking or raking all those leaves anyway, for the city to have. But it's a lot of machinery, and it's hard, from a Moronic point of view, to remember to tune up and get parts for a tool you're going to leave parked for 6 months.

And the leaves, they really mess with you. Each species is different each season, varying with moisture, temperature, mysticism and the phases of the moon. I feel halfway decent at this moment, because contrary to the weather fairies I got a couple of extra dry days and made an extra circuit, minimizing the biomass that will get frozen down to the turf. But there's a maple or two, and the very tops of a couple of tulip poplars, holding back just to spoil Christmas.

And I need to remember to see Tractor Supply about a "bonnet" for the trailer connector, and re-tape all those vac hoses. Lot of "wear items."

Posted by: Stringer Davis at December 09, 2017 12:45 PM (H5rtT)

16 My HOA doesn't allow chickens but the city does. I would have a few chickens if allowed, like 6-8 hens.

Posted by: linduh at December 09, 2017 12:47 PM (kufk0)

17 We've had a month of hard freezes, so the garden is done, other than turning in the stubble and straw.
We replaced our deer fencing (upper 4') with chicken wire, for permanence.

After finding out here that pepper plants are not annuals, we brought 3 in. We have fungus amungus, though, and need to spray when it gets warm enough to haul them outside.
Fun trying something new though.

Posted by: MarkY at December 09, 2017 12:48 PM (g6yUI)

18 I need to get outta bed. To be fair I did wake up and make covfefe before 7 then got back into bed. Then I got up again to make waffles and bacon for 5 kids before getting back in bed again. It's only 11:57 so not noon yet.

Posted by: linduh at December 09, 2017 12:53 PM (kufk0)

19 My flower garden is over and done by December. The first snowfall is floating down right now, guaranteed to stick!

Posted by: exdem13 at December 09, 2017 12:53 PM (W+kMI)

20 14 Thanks for the cookbook plug, KT!
--------
Ordered mine first, and it will reach me first of all my ordered Xmas gifts.

Posted by: exdem13 at December 09, 2017 12:55 PM (W+kMI)

21 Snowing here. I hate winter.

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 12:55 PM (Sfs6o)

22 I gather up leaves with a tarp, take to back area and drive mower over reducing volume probably by 90%, then take that pile and put it into my compost bin. If I didn't chop them up I could fill a tractor trailer

Posted by: Skip at December 09, 2017 12:58 PM (aC6Sd)

23 Dec 9, 2017....only six more weeks before my crocus begin to pop up!

Posted by: Diogenes at December 09, 2017 12:59 PM (0tfLf)

24 My gosh, those night photos of the lights are gorgeous! What a treat for these old eyes.

Posted by: JTB at December 09, 2017 01:00 PM (V+03K)

25 20 14 Thanks for the cookbook plug, KT!
--------
Ordered mine first, and it will reach me first of all my ordered Xmas gifts.
Posted by: exdem13 at December 09, 2017 12:55 PM (W+kMI)
-------
Thanks! Note to eBook readers: you may have to adjust your device settings slightly to optimize the experience.

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 01:00 PM (Sfs6o)

26 I believe that today was the first accumulation of frozen precipitation that we have had at my house in the 30 years we have lived here. Twenty years ago we jumped in the car and drove 40 miles so that the kids could see snow and make slush angels.

Thanks Al Gore.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at December 09, 2017 01:03 PM (WbIyz)

27 Thanks for the pomegranate salsa recipe I'm saving that, it sounds great.

I love the lights. How pretty. Cambria has a nice Christmas market/light display.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 01:04 PM (Ri/rl)

28 On the bright side, we still have lots of Satsumas and the cold snap only makes them sweeter.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at December 09, 2017 01:05 PM (WbIyz)

29 The Clogginstien family will not be celebrating Christmas this year becase there is nothing to be thankful for with Trump as our Presdent. We wants Presdent Obama back !!!

Posted by: Mary Clogginstien from Brattleboro at December 09, 2017 01:07 PM (u54O2)

30 I am sure the pomegranite salsa is tasty but I like them too much to do anything except eat them plain. (I do like well buttered sourdough toast on the side with them.) If I wasn't 3000 miles away those chickens would have competition.

Posted by: JTB at December 09, 2017 01:08 PM (V+03K)

31 KT,
I don't know how to take care of anything really. They prune all the trees/bushes but that pomegranate bush really put out a metric crap ton of fruit this year. They built a frame around it but there's so much fruit the branches bend.

All the pomegranates produce much more fruit this year, I wonder if it's because we had a lot of rain last year.

My husband and the guy that work here discuss how to prune everything.

They also take some of the small fruit off of the stone fruit trees. They say it will be too heavy for the branches and the remaining fruit will be better.

As you can see, I'm not in charge and I don't know how to prune.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 01:09 PM (Ri/rl)

32 I'm OT, but I just got my COOKBOOK!!!!!!!

It is actually amazing. I collect cookbooks, and this one is really, really good. I can't wait to start cooking!!!

Weasel and bluebell, if you are around, well done. You too, Bander.

Posted by: moki at December 09, 2017 01:09 PM (V+V48)

33 32 I'm OT, but I just got my COOKBOOK!!!!!!!
It is actually amazing. I collect cookbooks, and this one is really, really good. I can't wait to start cooking!!!

Weasel and bluebell, if you are around, well done. You too, Bander.
Posted by: moki at December 09, 2017 01:09 PM (V+V4

-------
Thanks Moki!!!! We're anxiously awaiting the Horde's reaction!

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 01:12 PM (Sfs6o)

34 Just FYI, youtube has several videos about colonial era gardens, especially herb gardens. Search on townsends. He also has a ton of videos on food and items from that era. Interesting stuff for history buffs.

Posted by: JTB at December 09, 2017 01:12 PM (V+03K)

35 Posted by: moki at December 09, 2017 01:09 PM (V+V4

-------
P.S. Our mutual friend bluebell deserves most of the credit!

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 01:14 PM (Sfs6o)

36 Jane, Stace, linduh,

We have 37 hens and two roosters. One of the hens was broody and we put fertilized eggs under her and we had 10 chicks. We got the roosters at the same time as the chicks.

The stupid sparrow hawk has taken 3 of the chicks. He even flew in the coop yesterday and got one.

The hen and her chicks are locked up now where the sparrow hawk can't get them for at least another month.

We have a lot of eggs.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 01:14 PM (Ri/rl)

37 Blubell, sorry that last post was addressed to you not jane. Forgive my mistake.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 01:15 PM (Ri/rl)

38 We are getting some light snow but it is only on the non-paved surfaces. The roads and sidewalks are just wet. Pretty scenes but no shoveling. Yaaa!

Posted by: JTB at December 09, 2017 01:15 PM (V+03K)

39 It is actually amazing. I collect cookbooks, and this one is really, really good. I can't wait to start cooking!!!

Weasel and bluebell, if you are around, well done. You too, Bander.
Posted by: moki at December 09, 2017 01:09 PM (V+V4

Really? Already I'm jealous.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 01:16 PM (Ri/rl)

40 The lights are gorgeous! I especially like that second one.

Posted by: Peaches at December 09, 2017 01:16 PM (14URa)

41 35 Posted by: moki at December 09, 2017 01:09 PM (V+V4
-------
P.S. Our mutual friend bluebell deserves most of the credit!
Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 01:14 PM (Sfs6o)

She is amazing, isn't she?! But thank you too.

Posted by: moki at December 09, 2017 01:18 PM (V+V48)

42 moki,

The delivery guy dropped something off on my front porch and my cookbooks are here too!!!

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 01:19 PM (Ri/rl)

43 The delivery guy dropped something off on my front porch and my cookbooks are here too!!!

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 01:19 PM (Ri/rl)
Do the cookbooks come by USPS or did Weasel contract with hoboes to deliver them?

Posted by: Peaches at December 09, 2017 01:20 PM (14URa)

44 Posted by: Peaches at December 09, 2017 01:20 PM (14URa)
--------
Dang It! Should've thought of that!

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 01:22 PM (Sfs6o)

45 Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 01:19 PM (Ri/rl)
Do the cookbooks come by USPS or did Weasel contract with hoboes to deliver them?
Posted by: Peaches at December 09, 2017 01:20 PM (14URa)

I don't get regular mail at my house, it was delivered by On Trac. I didn't go look at the package until the cool tip by moki.

The driver looked like and ewok on my security camera though.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 01:24 PM (Ri/rl)

46 The physical cookbooks are scheduled to arrive tomorrow and the Kindle version as well. I hope the e-version comes through in the wee hours so I can look at it before the book thread starts.

Judging from the part Mrs. JTB and I proofed, it is going to be great. Many thanks to Weasel and bluebell for all their work. And if you haven't seen it yet, Bandersnatch did a wonderful job on the cover. If you need some serious laughs check out the comments for it on Amazon.

Posted by: JTB at December 09, 2017 01:25 PM (V+03K)

47 Posted by: JTB at December 09, 2017 01:25 PM (V+03K)
--------
Thanks JTB! The eBook version seemed to look best on kindle and you may need to adjust the reader settings for the best result. I'm not well versed in using readers so I'm not sure how normal it is to need to do that. Sorry if it's inconvenient.

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 01:28 PM (Sfs6o)

48 Dang It! Should've thought of that!

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 01:22 PM (Sfs6o)
You knew I was available for pro bono consult. smh

Posted by: Peaches at December 09, 2017 01:30 PM (14URa)

49 Jut checked out the reviews on Amazon. Love the negative review:

41 people found this helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars

Let me be clear, I am disappointed,
By Barack Obama on December 8, 2017
What a waste of money... how can you call it a cookbook if there over 500 recipes, and not a single one for dog? i'm sending it back for a refund.

Posted by: Acme Explosives at December 09, 2017 01:31 PM (ajiE5)

50 Nice day here in upstate NY, neighbor out raking leaves in shorts. I would tell him its only 37, but hes young and probably hot blooded, By mid week, this will be only a dream....Very cold weather coming this way and the lake effect will probably kick in.

Posted by: Colin at December 09, 2017 01:31 PM (aekx3)

51 This week we used the very last of the windowsill tomatoes. They made a great bacon, tomato, and avacado sammich. The chives are still with us for the moment and go good on my morning fried eggs.

I am getting concerned about the romaine lettuce. Inspite of cold nights, it is continuing to grow a little. Mutant lettuce seeds?

Posted by: JTB at December 09, 2017 01:32 PM (V+03K)

52 I did some gardening this morning. Shoveled snow for the first time in my life. 10 inches about 20 miles west of Atlanta.

Posted by: John Marston at December 09, 2017 01:33 PM (SkuXa)

53 Nice day here in upstate NY, neighbor out raking
leaves in shorts. I would tell him its only 37, but hes young and
probably hot blooded, By mid week, this will be only a dream....Very
cold weather coming this way and the lake effect will probably kick in.

Posted by: Colin at December 09, 2017 01:31 PM (aekx3)
I was in the Post Office here south of Indy yesterday. One of the personnel (maybe a manager) was in shorts. It was in the 20s here. But, she looked like someone who perhaps didn't need a lot of after-market insulation.

Posted by: Peaches at December 09, 2017 01:34 PM (14URa)

54 Cookbook question: What charity are the proceeds going to?

Posted by: Emmie -- please, no public display of insanity at December 09, 2017 01:34 PM (/A+Cl)

55 and not a single one for dog? i'm sending it back for a refund.

Posted by: Acme Explosives at December 09, 2017 01:31 PM (ajiE5)

Geeeee, if you want a cookbook for a dog, print your own, it might actually be a good idea........

Posted by: Colin at December 09, 2017 01:34 PM (aekx3)

56 KT,

I'm sad to report that besides the life, livestock, horses and structures lost in the Ventura County fires the botanical gardens are gone. But the Serra cross still stands.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 01:34 PM (Ri/rl)

57 Dennis Prager points out Leftists are the most unhappy people, and give you our Mary as proof.

Posted by: Skip at December 09, 2017 01:34 PM (aC6Sd)

58
54 Cookbook question: What charity are the proceeds going to?
Posted by: Emmie -- please, no public display of insanity at December 09, 2017 01:34 PM (/A+Cl)
----------
Hookers for Jesus.

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 01:35 PM (Sfs6o)

59 I'm sad to report that besides the life, livestock,
horses and structures lost in the Ventura County fires the botanical
gardens are gone. But the Serra cross still stands.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 01:34 PM (Ri/rl)
CaliGirl, I lived in LA for over 4 decades and the Ventura fires are some of the worst I've ever seen, all things considered. It's just heartbreaking. Very sad about the botanical gardens.

Posted by: Peaches at December 09, 2017 01:35 PM (14URa)

60
54 Cookbook question: What charity are the proceeds going to?
Posted by: Emmie -- please, no public display of insanity at December 09, 2017 01:34 PM (/A+Cl)
-------
Kidding!!!
Toys for Tots and Fisher House for this year.

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 01:37 PM (Sfs6o)

61 *rolls eyes at Weasel*

Posted by: Emmie -- please, no public display of insanity at December 09, 2017 01:38 PM (/A+Cl)

62 47. .. Hi Weasel, Once it is downloaded I will play with the settings on the Kindle Fire and Paperwhite to get the best look and report on the book thread.

We ordered 4 copies of the physical book. One for us and the others for gifts. It should be interesting trying to explain AoSHQ to the recipients!

Posted by: JTB at December 09, 2017 01:38 PM (V+03K)

63 Thank you, Weasel.

I'm trying to determine how many of my friends or family members might have the refined tastes required to appreciate a Horde cookbook.

Posted by: Emmie -- please, no public display of insanity at December 09, 2017 01:39 PM (/A+Cl)

64
61 *rolls eyes at Weasel*
Posted by: Emmie -- please, no public display of insanity at December 09, 2017 01:38 PM (/A+Cl)
------
I will probably get a sternly worded note from bluebell.

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 01:39 PM (Sfs6o)

65 It should be interesting trying to explain AoSHQ to the recipients!
Posted by: JTB at December 09, 2017 01:38 PM (V+03K)
---------

Oh boy. One of those "conversations."

Posted by: bluebell ~ TDG has sugar and spice and everything nice! at December 09, 2017 01:40 PM (kNasr)

66 I will probably get a sternly worded note from bluebell.
Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 01:39 PM (Sfs6o)

She's going to let you off easy, eh?

Posted by: Emmie -- please, no public display of insanity at December 09, 2017 01:40 PM (/A+Cl)

67 Emmie, there is some "language," innuendo, and political incorrectness in there, so just know that before you decide who to give it to. But it's not as bad as the typical thread here, so there's that.

Posted by: bluebell ~ TDG has sugar and spice and everything nice! at December 09, 2017 01:41 PM (kNasr)

68 I will probably get a sternly worded note from bluebell.

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 01:39 PM (Sfs6o)
You can just add it to your collection . . .

Posted by: Peaches at December 09, 2017 01:41 PM (14URa)

69 Weasel gave me a big beautiful bouquet of flowers this morning. No sternly worded note from me!

He also gave me pudding cups. I'm not sure how to explain that to the fam.

Posted by: bluebell ~ TDG has sugar and spice and everything nice! at December 09, 2017 01:42 PM (kNasr)

70 Bluebell, I just love this place. But I hesitate about inflicting our culture on others.

Posted by: Emmie -- please, no public display of insanity at December 09, 2017 01:43 PM (/A+Cl)

71 Wow, flowers and pudding cups? That's very sweet!

Posted by: Peaches at December 09, 2017 01:43 PM (14URa)

72 Emmie, I know exactly what you mean. We are an acquired taste, you might say.

Posted by: bluebell ~ TDG has sugar and spice and everything nice! at December 09, 2017 01:44 PM (kNasr)

73 Thanks JTB. If it's truly awful (it's really not) I will schedule a free download day or something in a few weeks. One element is a formatted line that ran over a few spaces. It's not a big deal but it bugs me.

Emmie - the book is not surprisingly very much like the content and feel of the blog, so perhaps use that as a guide. I just found out a friend who has never seen this place is having a copy sent to her 85 year old mother which is a little bit of a catastrophe.

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 01:44 PM (Sfs6o)

74 It is, Peaches. He even waited to open the package with the books in it until I got there. We both were jumping up and down in our seats and exclaiming. This was in a restaurant. I'm not sure they knew what to make of us.

Posted by: bluebell ~ TDG has sugar and spice and everything nice! at December 09, 2017 01:45 PM (kNasr)

75 >>>If so, you might be interested in George Washington's Eggnog, which uses raw eggs.

Um, I'm pretty sure that Eddie Murphy has proven that George Washington *stole* this recipe from George Washington Carver, along with his secret peanut butter recipe. Get woke.

Posted by: Ta-Nehisi Coates at December 09, 2017 01:46 PM (/qEW2)

76 I just found out a friend who has never seen this place is having a copy sent to her 85 year old mother which is a little bit of a catastrophe.
Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 01:44 PM (Sfs6o)
---------

Hoooo boy. Wait until she gets a load of CBD's nic and recipes, particularly the drink one. GULP.

Glad we're in the witness protection program.

Posted by: bluebell ~ TDG has sugar and spice and everything nice! at December 09, 2017 01:47 PM (kNasr)

77 We are keeping the California folks in our thoughts. Mrs. JTB learned that Colorado Alex is on the east coast as of yesterday so he's safe. Don't know about his home.

Does anyone know if prohibitions against clearing out dead undergrowth is contributing to the fires ir if conditions are just bad?

Posted by: JTB at December 09, 2017 01:47 PM (V+03K)

78 Need to learn how to landscape and garden in the high desert where the wind blows most of the time.

Posted by: AzDesertRat at December 09, 2017 01:48 PM (/2TXu)

79 Hoooo boy. Wait until she gets a load of CBD's nic and recipes, particularly the drink one. GULP.

Glad we're in the witness protection program.
Posted by: bluebell ~ TDG has sugar and spice and everything nice! at December 09, 2017 01:47 PM (kNasr)
-------
Yeah! At least CBD's first recipe is inconspicuous on page 2.

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 01:48 PM (Sfs6o)

80 e high desert where the wind blows most of the time.
Posted by: AzDesertRat at December 09, 2017 01:48 PM (/2TXu)
------
Man do I ever love your part of the country!

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 01:51 PM (Sfs6o)

81 Does anyone know if prohibitions against clearing out dead undergrowth is contributing to the fires ir if conditions are just bad?

Posted by: JTB at December 09, 2017 01:47 PM (V+03K)

Single digit humidity levels with high winds seem to be the biggest culprit.

I'm in Pennsylvania and anytime we get into around the 30% humidity levels all sorts of warnings are issued. But it never lasts more than a couple of days here before we get rain.

But I'm sure the state of California could take some proactive steps. The problem is high winds can blow a spark a mile. It's kind of tough if not impossible to cut fire lanes that wide.

Posted by: Acme Explosives at December 09, 2017 01:55 PM (ajiE5)

82 If so, you might be interested in George Washington's Eggnog, which uses raw eggs.

I was a skinny child, picky eater, and my mother made me eggnogs with raw eggs throughout my childhood. Never got sick once. My dad had a PhD in microbiology but it wasn't until many years later that anyone had concerns about raw eggs (including him iirc). Not sure why that is . . . did eggs get funkier over the decades or did we all just become more snowflake-y?

Posted by: Peaches at December 09, 2017 02:00 PM (14URa)

83 I used to mix a raw egg into OJ and it didn't kill me that I'm aware of.

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 02:01 PM (Sfs6o)

84 CaliGirl, your chickens look delicious!

Posted by: Johnny at December 09, 2017 02:01 PM (WsqCN)

85 nice ideas today ... I should have chickens, and one of those nut shakers too. Except I'd need one with a big net collection basket that would spread out to catch the walnuts. like at this link, but for bigger trees.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eOlM-l1114

Then I just need a machine to hull, crack, and separate out the nuts, and to make the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with the nuts.

Lights on the pond ... that would change the outlook for all these days with so much darkness. LEDs make it cheaper I guess.

(last week's garden thread was good, too, but I showed up too late ... ideas for game birds or song birds. part of the solution involves a lot of killing ... raccoons, invasive sparrows and starlings ... but getting the right foods in the open "prairie" space could help a lot, habitat and food supply)

had the first ice on the pond yesterday, and saw the first bald eagle by the pond yesterday. cheers to the gardeners ...

Posted by: illiniwek at December 09, 2017 02:01 PM (otAqJ)

86 Candice Owens (sidebar video) had a good video, but she is not trustworthy. She tried to make a web site that reveals personal information about anonymous shitlords, and of course this has dangerous consequences. She said that the site was taken down (only a front page) but it wasn't. I trust her less than Lacey Green.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at December 09, 2017 02:02 PM (rnAwa)

87 >>I used to mix a raw egg into OJ and it didn't kill me that I'm aware of.

Posted by: Weasel

It's just protein.

Posted by: Uncle Harvey at December 09, 2017 02:03 PM (2cuLk)

88 81 ... Acme, Thanks for the info. Northern Virginia, at least around DC, is usually humid enough so that isn't often a problem. But get up in the Blue Ridge and that is another matter.

Posted by: JTB at December 09, 2017 02:04 PM (V+03K)

89 CaliGirl,
Do you have any Aracuna in any of you chickens so you get those beautiful "Easter egg" colored eggs? I love that. I know the eggs don't taste different but the eggs are so pretty. Even though I can't have chickens I only buy eggs from strangers in parking lots and the side of the road in the middle of no where. No store bought eggs for me.

Posted by: linduh at December 09, 2017 02:05 PM (kufk0)

90 Lurking Moronette here. Just ordered the Cookbook.

Posted by: Maya32603 at December 09, 2017 02:07 PM (U2Ask)

91 Meanwhile, you may soon be able to try scrambled eggs made from beans. The in-crowd raves about them. This is sustainability in their dreams, apparently. Look appealing?

========

No, it looks more like vomit than a beaten egg, although it does look semi-realistic by the end. Despite the hard sell, some things are off putting.

Just Scramble is free of antibiotics and cholesterol. It requires less water and fewer carbon emissions. And yes, it tastes like an egg, but it's more than that. "It's got endless, limitless applications [insert floor wax/dessert topping joke here]. That's what's brilliant about it," said Marut Sikka, one of India's top chefs. In so many ways, building a more just food system starts with breakfast.

I notice that they're only offering a "scrambled" product, and that it has no cholesterol. But my favorite part is the yolk. Does this just taste like scrambled egg whites with yellow food coloring?

And if the main purpose in this is "building a more just food system", it raises the question, does the "just" in Just Scramble mean "All you have to do is scramble"? Or does it mean "Scramble in a way that does not commit injustices against humanity, for once in your miserable life, you foul Earth parasite"?

Posted by: Steve and Cold Bear at December 09, 2017 02:09 PM (/qEW2)

92 90 Lurking Moronette here. Just ordered the Cookbook.
Posted by: Maya32603 at December 09, 2017 02:07 PM (U2Ask)
----
Thanks! Don't be a lurker!

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 02:10 PM (Sfs6o)

93 I put in some sod into the yard in October.

The squirrels have been ripping it apart and using it for their nests.

I put some chicken wire of the worst areas.

Well. about a month later, the squirrels are back and have destroyed another section of new sod.

So not happy.

I now have chicken wire over ALL the sod. And in the spring, I'll buy MORE sod and more chicken wire.

So, so fed up. Birds eat the grass seed, squirrels destroy the sod. I might was well just throw the money away.

Posted by: shibumi at December 09, 2017 02:12 PM (aT+Bx)

94 I'm less than two miles from the Skirball fire evacuation zone. Doing OK though - at least partly because I'm downhill from there and I don't live in a brushy/hilly area. There is ash in the driveway and on the bathroom counter. Praying for rain every night.

Posted by: Dr Alice at December 09, 2017 02:13 PM (LaT54)

95 Weasel,
Why are you still here? Shouldn't you be out shooting or something?

Posted by: linduh at December 09, 2017 02:14 PM (kufk0)

96 I was wondering if the cookbook was NSFW, well not where I work but you know.
Still snowing here, way more than I was lead to believe.

Posted by: Skip at December 09, 2017 02:14 PM (aC6Sd)

97 re: lighting the night. My neighbors are keeping up the Christmas spirit. It's so nice to be surrounded by color and light when night falls at 5 pm. Just 12 days til the days get longer...

Posted by: kallisto at December 09, 2017 02:16 PM (Fy1TT)

98 In my much younger days I delivered feed and hay to small family farms and would sometimes be offered breakfast. (Every small farm seemed to have a grandma who was convinced I was on the edge of starvation. Bless them!) Those eggs had been under a hen just a short time before. There was no comparison to eggs from the grocery. The commercial stuff was fine but the fresh ones were food for the gods.

I miss that but we aren't going to start keeping chickens at this point in our lives. Dammit!

Posted by: JTB at December 09, 2017 02:20 PM (V+03K)

99 KTin the garden, I just submitted my first picture.

Posted by: Bonecrusher at December 09, 2017 02:21 PM (r+mGZ)

100 I was wondering if the cookbook was NSFW, well not where I work but you know.
Still snowing here, way more than I was lead to believe.
Posted by: Skip at December 09, 2017 02:14 PM (aC6Sd)
------

Skip, there are a few bad words in it, but I edited out the f-bombs. There are a few recipes whose submitters bragged were good for, uh, getting dates. There a few instances of making fun of liberals. Okay, maybe more than a few. And then there are the regular nics that can be a little dicey. Think of CBD, for example.

Maybe Weasel can add more to this.

Posted by: bluebell ~ TDG has sugar and spice and everything nice! at December 09, 2017 02:21 PM (kNasr)

101 95 Weasel,
Why are you still here? Shouldn't you be out shooting or something?
Posted by: linduh at December 09, 2017 02:14 PM (kufk0)
------
Too nervous about cookbook reviews!

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 02:22 PM (Sfs6o)

102 86. I was disappointed to learn of her doxxing effort since I was prepared to board the red pill black train.

Posted by: kallisto at December 09, 2017 02:23 PM (Fy1TT)

103 Does anyone know if prohibitions against clearing out dead undergrowth is contributing to the fires ir if conditions are just bad?
Posted by: JTB at December 09, 2017 01:47 PM (V+03K)

You can clear brush on your own property but it's kind of hard to clear 4,000 acres of billy goat hills. My husband swears you need to do control burns. I don't know.

Last year we had a lot of rain so I'm sure there is a ton of fuel in those hills. Also there aren't a bunch of cattle in the hills because of the long drought.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 02:24 PM (Ri/rl)

104
Posted by: bluebell ~ TDG has sugar and spice and everything nice! at December 09, 2017 02:21 PM (kNasr)
------
Skip - just think of a normal thread here. If you would refer someone to this place chances are the cookbook isn't going to freak them out too much.

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 02:24 PM (Sfs6o)

105 94 I'm less than two miles from the Skirball fire evacuation zone. Doing OK though - at least partly because I'm downhill from there and I don't live in a brushy/hilly area. There is ash in the driveway and on the bathroom counter. Praying for rain every night.
Posted by: Dr Alice at December 09, 2017 02:13 PM (LaT54)

Prayers for you and everyone in the path of all these fires. Stay safe.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 02:26 PM (Ri/rl)

106
----------
Hookers for Jesus.
Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 01:35 PM (Sfs6o)

I am a member in good standing of that organization, and I thank you kindly.

Posted by: Ladyl at December 09, 2017 02:26 PM (TdMsT)

107 Oh my gosh, Cannibal Bob just left the funniest review. Thanks Cannibal Bob, if you're here!

Posted by: bluebell ~ one small step for man, one giant leap for Moronkind at December 09, 2017 02:26 PM (kNasr)

108 89 CaliGirl,
Do you have any Aracuna in any of you chickens so you get those beautiful "Easter egg" colored eggs? I love that. I know the eggs don't taste different but the eggs are so pretty. Even though I can't have chickens I only buy eggs from strangers in parking lots and the side of the road in the middle of no where. No store bought eggs for me.
Posted by: linduh at December 09, 2017 02:05 PM (kufk0)

I don't know the kinds of chickens they are but we get all different shades of brown and some blue eggs. The baby chicks we have lay blue eggs.

Those eggs are my favorite too.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 02:28 PM (Ri/rl)

109 So, so fed up. Birds eat the grass seed, squirrels destroy the sod. I might was well just throw the money away.
Posted by: shibumi at December 09, 2017 02:12 PM (aT+Bx)

We use chicken wire for planting trees and shrubs, for the lawn we have a heavier wire we use. We have gophers and they can't chew through it.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 02:30 PM (Ri/rl)

110 Not worried for me, just some who might pick it up unaware

Posted by: Skip at December 09, 2017 02:32 PM (aC6Sd)

111 77 We are keeping the California folks in our thoughts. Mrs. JTB learned that Colorado Alex is on the east coast as of yesterday so he's safe. Don't know about his home.

Does anyone know if prohibitions against clearing out dead undergrowth is contributing to the fires ir if conditions are just bad?
Posted by: JTB at December 09, 2017 01:47 PM (V+03K)

I was worried about him, thanks for reporting.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 02:32 PM (Ri/rl)

112 Thank you! for the pomegranate salsa recipe. I have been working on this idea since a hapless hero in 1001 Nights was saved from a head-lopping by putting the right amount of pepper on a pomegranate salad.

Posted by: sinmi at December 09, 2017 02:34 PM (OX3J8)

113 Not worried for me, just some who might pick it up unaware
Posted by: Skip at December 09, 2017 02:32 PM (aC6Sd)
--------

The front cover should tip them off! And then if they read the back cover, that will give them more clues.

If they look inside, it's all over.

Posted by: bluebell ~ one small step for man, one giant leap for Moronkind at December 09, 2017 02:34 PM (kNasr)

114 My grandmom used to make zabaglione using raw egg. As a child I loved it. Adult me won't go anywhere near raw egg though. Yuck.

Posted by: kallisto at December 09, 2017 02:35 PM (Fy1TT)

115 CaliGirl,
Any chickens that lay blue to green eggs have some aracuna in them. They are the original blue egg layers. The most common chickens you see that lay these color eggs are Americana which are a hybrid.

Posted by: linduh at December 09, 2017 02:36 PM (kufk0)

116
110 Not worried for me, just some who might pick it up unaware
Posted by: Skip at December 09, 2017 02:32 PM (aC6Sd)
-------
It's probably not any worse than you will find readily in print magazines or other publications. We toned it down quite a bit during editing.

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 02:36 PM (Sfs6o)

117 Let's see if that cannibal review stays up...you know cause it's soooo raycist!!!///

Posted by: linduh at December 09, 2017 02:38 PM (kufk0)

118 Hah! I do love me some pommy granitz. I don't know about making it into a salsa though. Yes, when I pull them out of their hateshell, I wear a beat up old red shirt.

Posted by: BurtTC at December 09, 2017 02:42 PM (Pz4pT)

119 Okay, you guys are flippin' hilarious. Love my first skim of the cookbook.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 02:44 PM (Ri/rl)

120
119 Okay, you guys are flippin' hilarious. Love my first skim of the cookbook.
Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 02:44 PM (Ri/rl)
--------
Good! Thank you so much!

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 02:47 PM (Sfs6o)

121
119 Okay, you guys are flippin' hilarious. Love my first skim of the cookbook.
Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 02:44 PM (Ri/rl)
---------
And I would be remiss if I didn't say thank you to all of the contributors..This book is really about all of YOU.

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 02:49 PM (Sfs6o)

122 Any chickens that lay blue to green eggs have some aracuna in them. They are the original blue egg layers. The most common chickens you see that lay these color eggs are Americana which are a hybrid.
Posted by: linduh at December 09, 2017 02:36 PM (kufk0)

The guy that works here brings us chicks from his friend that has a ranch with chickens, pheasant, and quail.

My favorite little chickens are the brabanters. I call them the mowhawk chickens or punk rock chicken. That's the only breed of chicken that I know what kind it is. I'm not even sure which chicken lays the blue eggs.
The guy that works here can tell me which hen each brown egg came from.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 02:54 PM (Ri/rl)

123 CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 01:04 PM

So, you can go to the coast to see the monarch butterflies hanging out for the winter and see the Christmas light in Cambria too . . . . .

The fire situation in Ventura County sounds grim. Didn't part of the Botanical Garden in Santa Barbara burn a few years ago, too?

Posted by: KT at December 09, 2017 02:54 PM (BVQ+1)

124 Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 02:49 PM (Sfs6o)

Thank you, all of you that brought this cookbook to fruition. It's great.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 02:55 PM (Ri/rl)

125 CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 01:09 PM

If you start early, you can train a pomegranate to look like a tree. Or an espalier. They're not much fun to prune because of the thorns.

You can also thin the fruit. Remaining fruits will get bigger.

Posted by: KT at December 09, 2017 02:56 PM (BVQ+1)

126 >>Weasel,

Why are you still here? Shouldn't you be out shooting or something?

Posted by: linduh at December 09, 2017 02:14 PM (kufk0)

------

Too nervous about cookbook reviews!

Posted by: Weasel
----------

Shooting always relaxes me.

Posted by: Uncle Harvey at December 09, 2017 02:56 PM (2cuLk)

127 The fire situation in Ventura County sounds grim. Didn't part of the Botanical Garden in Santa Barbara burn a few years ago, too?

Posted by: KT at December 09, 2017 02:54 PM (BVQ+1)

I'm not sure, there's been so many fires. My mother just went there, she didn't mention any fire damage.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 02:56 PM (Ri/rl)

128 Or an espalier
--------
Amazing examples at Longwood Gardens.

Which would be an amazing place for a MoMee.

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 02:58 PM (Sfs6o)

129 Amazing examples at Longwood Gardens.

Which would be an amazing place for a MoMee.
-----
I thought an amazing place was your backyard....

Posted by: linduh at December 09, 2017 03:00 PM (kufk0)

130 I thought an amazing place was your backyard....
Posted by: linduh at December 09, 2017 03:00 PM (kufk0)
--------
You mean Happy Place Farm? Soon!

Posted by: Weasel at December 09, 2017 03:02 PM (Sfs6o)

131 If you start early, you can train a pomegranate to look like a tree. Or an espalier. They're not much fun to prune because of the thorns.

You can also thin the fruit. Remaining fruits will get bigger.
Posted by: KT at December 09, 2017 02:56 PM (BVQ+1)

Thank you, I will tell my husband. We planted two new pomegranates last year. The chickens hang out underneath it. My husband knows fruit trees but not pomegranates.

We probably should have taken some of the fruit off the bush in the photo. Also,there are always a lot of blossom drops around the bush. Is this normal?

I wanted a lot of fruit but the branches are almost breaking.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 03:03 PM (Ri/rl)

132 cannibal bob review is hilarious!

Posted by: Infidel at December 09, 2017 03:04 PM (Ix4M6)

133 Only thing in our garden producing food are the cold frames giving us spinach, lettuce, swiss chard, and arugula. We currently have ten
laying hens. The 2+ year olds were slaughtered in October and will become soup or chicken and dumplings.

The salsa sounds interesting, will order the cook book soon and look forward learning new recipes, and what I assume will include ingredients such as remove pants, put sock on/off, the barrel, and willowed.

Pretty lights, pretty ribbons of blue.

Posted by: colfax mingo at December 09, 2017 03:06 PM (Xm9C+)

134 There is ash in the driveway and on the bathroom counter. Praying for rain every night.

Posted by: Dr Alice at December 09, 2017 02:13 PM (LaT54)
Dr. Alice, I heard something of interest on the radio in the last day or two (still listening to KFI and KOGO). They said that if you are in an area with a lot of ash, when it's over, check your car's air filter. Because if it's completely clogged with the stuff, you can wreck your car if you don't either clean it or change it out.

Posted by: Peaches at December 09, 2017 03:06 PM (14URa)

135 I forgot, good luck to CA moron/ettes, and I hope your property or at least your life is safe.

Posted by: colfax mingo at December 09, 2017 03:11 PM (Xm9C+)

136 Kindltot at December 09, 2017 12:34 PM

They use shorter nutshakers here for almonds and pistachios, too. Weird looking little vehicles.

Didn't know about the cherries. Interesting.

Posted by: KT at December 09, 2017 03:29 PM (BVQ+1)

137 AzDesertRat at December 09, 2017 01:48 PM

Good topic idea: landscaping for constant wind.

Posted by: KT at December 09, 2017 03:39 PM (BVQ+1)

138 Bonecrusher at December 09, 2017 02:21 PM

Got the photo! Thanks.

Posted by: KT at December 09, 2017 03:42 PM (BVQ+1)

139 Eggs, sprouts, salmonella, etc.

I don't know why raw eggs suddenly became a concern with regard to bacterial contamination, but it was about the time salmonella in other foods started killing people.

There is some treatment for eggs or chickens now to cut down on this problem. Don't remember the details.

I think an incident with organic sprouts from Germany is still the top killer from contaminated food in the last few decades. Don't remember which organism it was. But shortly after that, it became harder to buy alfalfa sprouts. I prefer red clover sprouts, and think they are better for you, too.

Seed catalogs have seeds tested for pathogens, meant for sprouting. And of course, if you cook sprouts (a good idea with most legumes) you kill bacteria.

Posted by: KT at December 09, 2017 03:48 PM (BVQ+1)

140 JTB,

Your romaine lettuce is probably normal. There is a romaine cultivar called "Winter Density". Romaine does better in cold weather than many other kinds of lettuce.

Posted by: KT at December 09, 2017 03:51 PM (BVQ+1)

141 another thing that makes branches breaks is when a 12 pound raccoon crawls out to eat the peaches. A neighbor suggested a section of stovepipe at the base to discourage them climbing. Other advice was less raccoon friendly.

I get moles, lotsa squirrels but they never seem to damage much, nothing like the squirrel and gopher problems you guys mention. I told an old friend of my coons killing a rabbit, remains caught on a camera. She had sympathy for the coons, I said the rabbit family was demanding justice. She suggested #RabbitLivesMatter.

ha ... politics and social justice permeates everything.

Posted by: illiniwek at December 09, 2017 03:54 PM (otAqJ)

142 KT. Just curious about where you live in the Central Valley.
I grew up in Corcoran and have a handful of relatives in Kingsburg still.

Posted by: jrhull at December 09, 2017 04:05 PM (5UJ0y)

143 I'm not too far from the Kings/Tulare county line. Kingsburg is an interesting town to visit.

Posted by: KT at December 09, 2017 04:19 PM (BVQ+1)

144 Thank you Peaches, that's good to know. I will be sure to check the air filter.

Posted by: Dr Alice at December 09, 2017 04:21 PM (LaT54)

145 " the refined tastes required to appreciate a Horde cookbook."

Black Rifle Coffee double shipped me, so now I have two extra bags of MO. I don't want to continually drink older coffee. I asked my wife if she knew anyone who would want it. She said none of her friends would drink coffee from gun nuts. Sure, MO is short for Murdered Out, because it is very dark.

So if KT sends me an address, I will ship it to Fresno. For her hard work.

Posted by: Gordon at December 09, 2017 05:07 PM (34oOF)

146 an old friend of mine, I visited once after he moved to San Luis Obispo. He still does hang-gliding, para-gliding there (last I checked). Nice country ... an old Kentuck country boy, but said "hey, we can choose to live in a nice climate". Maybe he made a great choice.

I never quite got up in the air (out in the dunes), but I had 30 pounds more than him. Too bad the politics are trying to destroy CA, but still good people as one gets to the right areas. Need more bright shining cities on the hills. Maybe the answer my friends, is blowin in the wind.

Posted by: illiniwek at December 09, 2017 05:25 PM (otAqJ)

147 142 KT. Just curious about where you live in the Central Valley.
I grew up in Corcoran and have a handful of relatives in Kingsburg still.
Posted by: jrhull at December 09, 2017 04:05 PM (5UJ0y)

How funny, my husband is from Lemoore.

Posted by: CaliGirl at December 09, 2017 05:43 PM (Ri/rl)

148 Not much to say about this week in Idaho's Treasure Valley. Today I raked up more Damn Sycamore leaves and stuffed them in the trash - finished getting the north part of my street-front clear, and the center part too. The south half, I raked into one big pile, and that will be stuffed in the trash each week until I run out of leaves.

I still need to cut the leaves off the Siberian Iris clumps - 8 done, 9 to go.

This looks like a normal winter to me so far, with some November rains, then December nights below freezing and days that try to get above freezing (sometimes succeeding). No snow yet. We're prepared, though - 2 bags of ice melt are in the garage, along with 2 snow shovels, and my car has its winter emergency clothes and stuff in it.

We did brew a batch of Belgian Saison beer - does that count as gardening?? We didn't grow any of the components, but we did throw the spent grain and hops onto the compost pile!

Since this week's thread discusses Christmas lights - we did put up two 24" pine wreaths we made ourselves on wire frames, each with a strand of 50 lights on it - a strand of 100 going down each pillar - and one final strand around the front door. Given how much trouble we had during the process, I can now see why people pay installers, particularly people who are older or physically limited. (May that day take a long while to arrive at our house!)

Posted by: Pat* at December 09, 2017 06:19 PM (FtfVi)

149 colfax mingo at December 09, 2017 03:06 PM

We have a continuing interest in your cold frame.

Posted by: KT at December 09, 2017 06:45 PM (BVQ+1)

150 Gordon at December 09, 2017 05:07 PM

Thanks, Gordon. But I don't drink coffee. I can think of some other people around here who have been doing some hard work . . . .

Posted by: KT at December 09, 2017 06:48 PM (BVQ+1)

151 Pat* at December 09, 2017 06:19 PM

Thanks for the report and the timely tips on winter preparation.

We get a little flexible about what counts as gardening here when the sun doesn't stay up in the sky too long. Historical note: This used to be the Yard and Garden Thread or something along those lines. Seems especially appropriate in winter.

Posted by: KT at December 09, 2017 06:54 PM (BVQ+1)

152 You have my email, KT, so let me know who and where.

Posted by: Gordon at December 09, 2017 09:43 PM (TYh1g)

153 Hooray, Kalamazoo!

Posted by: Philip at December 10, 2017 07:00 PM (A/RLV)

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