Saturday Gardening, Puttering and Thanksgiving Thread [KT]

Happy Pre-Thanksgiving Weekend! The handsome guy above lives at the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm in Leavenworth, Washington. Kids can pet dwarf reindeer there. There is a Bavarian Village and a Waterfront Park (on the Wenatchee River) nearby. Looks nice.

Vegetables for Thanksgiving

Gordon sent us this great photo of purple sweet potatoes from the Farmers Market a couple of years ago.

I like sweet potatoes baked at Thanksgiving (or the day before, or the weekend after). With butter. Martha Stewart bakes them at 375 degrees. I would put foil on the rack underneath if baked like this, because they ooze.

If I am in a hurry, I start them in the microwave and finish them in the oven. They take SO LONG to bake. But they say that baking in a slower oven (some recipes call for 400 or 425 degrees) allows for more sweetness to develop.

Have you ever had a sweet potato explode because you didn't pierce it?

Do you have a favorite method of preparation for sweet potatoes?

How about other root vegetables? Recipes or storage tips?

I grew sweet potatoes one year. It was a lot of work. Wee Kreek Farm Girl is trying something different:

I am not sure if I sent you a picture of my sweet potato boxes that I made with my step-dad last year on his visit. We always try to build and weld something while he is here. This year it was potato boxes. They are quite large, about 3 feet square and I have lined them with straw to keep in moisture and then put some dirt in and planted the potatoes and covered the top with more straw. These are sweet potatoes but the boxes will do fine for regular potatoes as well. The theory is that when the potatoes are ready I can open the door on the side, move away the straw and harvest the potatoes at the roots when I need them. We shall see. I was growing my sweet potatoes in a chicken wire hoop with straw on the inside but my garden dog helper thought it was great fun to tip it over and dig in the dirt so this idea was born. You can eat sweet potato leaves so I have been harvesting a few leaves every day and putting them in my morning smoothie. I haven't sauteed them yet but supposedly that is good too.

Anybody tried the leaves sauteed? You might want to be careful with the raw ones if you have a latex allergy. Love these boxes.

Here are some colorful non-root veggies for the Thanksgiving table, too. Except for the carrots, which are root vegetables, of course. Did you grow any of these this year?

Speaking of carrots, I try to make carrots with parsnips sometime during Thanksgiving Week. Steamed.

Peel and slice the carrots and parsnips together (I usually cut them into thick quartered coins) in a covered saucepan with a small amount of water. Use about twice as many carrots as parsnips. Hearty, home-grown carrots are great for this recipe. Add a small amount of water, simmer until the parsnips get very soft and mashable. Add more water if necessary toward the end of cooking. You want all the water to be gone when the parsnips are soft, so remove the pan cover to allow the last of the water to evaporate. Add butter, salt and pepper and toss until the parsnips fall apart and coat the carrots with buttery parsnip fluff.

This method of preparation gets you almost to Mashed Carrots and Parsnips. But not quite. Orange sounds like a nice addition.

If you prefer them firmer, you can add some cardamom and parsley. Cardamom is nice with orange. Freshly-crushed cardamom, that is. You can also stovetop-braise small ones.

All is safely gathered in

Did you see the late report from Pat* last week? You doing any end-of-the year work in the garden?

My cousin with the geraniums brought them into her basement last week.

Large Class size this year! 34 students. We have one super achiever and several working hard at Geranium U.

Are you bringing any plants in for the winter?

Travel Tips from The Horde

JT reminds us not to get over-tired.

Another timely tip from JT

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

ktinthegarden
at that g mail dot com place

Include your nic unless you want to remain a lurker.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 01:25 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 First elect

Posted by: Banned at November 21, 2020 01:28 PM (it1im)

2 On CBS right now is the most idiotic programming. A perfect example of our living in IDIOCRACY at this moment: it's two guys playing a video soccer game with random shots from cameras pointed at their faces just staring blankly at the game they're playing. Thats it. So not only is it soccer, it's fake soccer. And then the vapid expressions of guys playing fake soccer. Who watches this stupidity? What advertiser has these tools as their target customer?

Posted by: A Filmways Presentation Darling at November 21, 2020 01:31 PM (9ObsK)

3 Sweet potato vs YAMS

Posted by: MAC SOG'''' at November 21, 2020 01:31 PM (P4Pk9)

4 Yeah Buddy. I hate yams.

Posted by: That Guy What Always Says Yeah Buddy TM at November 21, 2020 01:31 PM (R5lpX)

5 And I don't like sweet taters either. Smelling them cooking in the oven makes me nauseous.

Posted by: That Guy What Always Says Yeah Buddy TM at November 21, 2020 01:32 PM (R5lpX)

6 I got nuthin'.
Great plant pics though.

Posted by: Winston dreg of society at November 21, 2020 01:34 PM (Drr5h)

7 Hi guys.

Brown Line and I are driving to Madison to have Thanksgiving with daughter, and then at Christmas we are driving to NORTH DAKOTA to have Christmas with two sons, because fuck Covid and fuck the hair-on-fire shriekers.

My sisters and I grew up with a mother who should have been in a mental hospital. Except for school we were NOT ALLOWED OUT OF THE HOUSE by ourselves because we might get raped. I hate that the whole State of Wisconsin and half the country have turned into my mother.

BTW,prayer request. The Wisconsin recount has begun as I write this, and Brown Line and I are volunteer "observers" of said recount. We will be in Milwaukee next Monday and Tuesday mornings, 8 am - 2pm. I have no idea how much hostility and obstruction we will encounter. Please pray that it goes smoothly and that we have an HONEST accounting of legal votes.

Posted by: Annalucia at November 21, 2020 01:34 PM (S6ArX)

8 Question for all you professional gardeners out there, I'm looking outside at my Limelight Hydrangeas and wondering if it's okay to prune them all the way back right now? They look a little unsightly.

Posted by: spypeach at November 21, 2020 01:34 PM (Up/Jb)

9
I've been convinced for years that Thanksgiving leftovers should share top billing with the initial servings.

That and picking through the turkey for tidbits while carving, and browsing the leftovers but not grabbing a full plate.

Posted by: irongrampa at November 21, 2020 01:34 PM (KATBx)

10 How about other root vegetables?

I'm a big fan of the lowly parsnip. I make a lentil soup that uses them, also roast them with potatoes and beef .
Next venture would be parsnip-mashed potatoes.

Posted by: kallisto at November 21, 2020 01:42 PM (DJFLF)

11 3 Sweet potato vs YAMS
Posted by: MAC SOG''''

I remember the Great War between Yams and Sweet Potato's. Brutal and costly it was...(stares off into the distance, lights a pipe).

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at November 21, 2020 01:42 PM (D3zBX)

12 I just discovered this Fall that the root stock that I grafted my Gravenstien apple onto is probably a Winter Banana Apple.

This makes me happy, since it is a wonderful winter apple, but also a little concerned because now I have to figure out if I can keep two trees next to each other that close.

The only other thing wonderful is that I used the pumpkins out of my garden to make a bean and pumpkin curry

Posted by: Kindltot at November 21, 2020 01:43 PM (WyVLE)

13 mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar are so good...

Posted by: IC - Call me Madam President-Elect at November 21, 2020 01:44 PM (Nyumu)

14 I keep meaning to send in some pics but then Saturday sneaks right up on me, I'll get some in next week. Going mushroom hunting today so hopefully get some good pics of those if we find any chantrelles.

Posted by: KarlHungus at November 21, 2020 01:44 PM (YlyPd)

15 I like sweet potatoes baked at Thanksgiving (or the day before, or the weekend after). With butter. Do you have a favorite method of preparation?

At times I mix layers of sweet potato and regular potatoes for a delicious gratin.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at November 21, 2020 01:44 PM (sfhL4)

16 I love the garnet sweet potatoes (red inside), and have a quick easy method for cooking since I eat them all winter long.

Wash/scrub however many you want. Poke a few holes with knife or fork. Place in 400 degree oven straight on rack, with another rack just below with a piece of foil on it, because mess. Cooking time varies too much depending on size and moisture content, but when sugar starts dripping out of them, they're cooked enough for now. Pull out and let cool.

Peel, and cut into 2" thick slices, or split down middle, again depends on the shape/size. Lay out in an oven proof dish, I usually use an 8x8 pyrex. Put butter, kosher or ground Himalayan salt, and Demerara (dark is best) all over top. Dark brown sugar is an ok substitute. Throw into a 350 oven for about 30 minutes, edges usually start to brown. That's it! Dumb simple and delicious.

Posted by: clutch cargo at November 21, 2020 01:44 PM (8B6Ng)

17 Leavenworth is a great place to visit. Beautiful there in spite of the fires that came near to the town several years ago. In the winter it is spectacular. Great fishing, camping and hiking.

Posted by: Diogenes at November 21, 2020 01:44 PM (axyOa)

18 oh, and I like potato and turnips mashed together. You have to be careful about it because the turnips are watery so you need less liquid for mashing the potatoes.

I am not so fond of sweet potatoes, but my GF adores them pretty much any way, as long as they are cooked.

Posted by: Kindltot at November 21, 2020 01:46 PM (WyVLE)

19 No garden news, but I am another who likes sweet potatoes just baked in the oven, with butter and sometimes a bit of sour cream. I've had them at restaurants baked, then buttered and a dash of cinnamon on top. That's good too.... if you like sweet potatoes.... don't wanna fight with anyone today...

It's a nice day here in southeast Michigan - sun's out, sky is blue, fall has fell as the trees are all bare. Our lawn is cleaned up and a pleasant green color, the whitetail are moving through finding stuff to nibble in the lawn and gardens. We've got two good size bucks vying for the doe's attention this year. They're lucky they don't live a bit further out in the country where hunting is legal.

Posted by: George V at November 21, 2020 01:46 PM (U2Tva)

20

Parsnips are great roasted with carrots.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at November 21, 2020 01:48 PM (sfhL4)

21 I am relieved to find that others don't like sweet potatoes. I can stomach the smell of roasting sweet potatoes, but sweetened (especially with marshmallows) it truly nauseating to me, too.

I have had sweet potatoes thinly sliced raw and tempura fried and enjoyed both. It the sickly sweet version that I can't abide.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at November 21, 2020 01:48 PM (fTtFy)

22 Are you bringing any plants in for the winter?
Yes, brought in the fern. (empress? Princess?), the thyme plant and the citronella.

Posted by: kallisto at November 21, 2020 01:49 PM (DJFLF)

23 This Thanksgiving is going to be low key chez chique. It's just my mom and me here, and hopefully we can get my nephew, who lives in the general vicinity, to show up.

We plan to order an already prepared thanksgiving dinner. My mom may cook something.

She wanted us all congregated at my house, but all of us siblings live in different states and one brother was concerned that we follow covid guidelines out of concern for our mother.

I decided to scrap it. 1) I want a low key Thanksgiving to eat and vegetate and recover from work (I'll probably work over the weekend) and not have too much social interaction. 2) It was just going to be too much hassle.

So we decided that whenever (if ever?) covid is allowed by our rulers to go away, we'll just have a family vacation.

It's not such a big deal to me since I didn't grow up with the holiday. It was nice to have everyone around in the past (sometimes, even old family friends from the old country), but this year I just want to chill.

Posted by: chique l'African Viking Queen of Greenland (It's not over folks!) at November 21, 2020 01:49 PM (9hauA)

24

We eat a lot of sweet potatoes, but simply roasted and topped with butter. We eat them instead of white potatoes.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at November 21, 2020 01:50 PM (sfhL4)

25 I just made 6 gallons of sweet potato with toasted marshmallow ice cream. Thanksgiving week special!

Posted by: KarlHungus at November 21, 2020 01:50 PM (YlyPd)

26 I like sweet potatoes with no added sweetening.

Love, love, love parsnips.

Posted by: chique l'African Viking Queen of Greenland (It's not over folks!) at November 21, 2020 01:50 PM (9hauA)

27 Back when I was but a wee lad and Mother of Diogenes was making boiled okra (hence my lifelong hatred of that green thing) she would also make candied yams. She'd use yams from a can and put brown sugar and marshmallows on it. Gawd...it hurts me teeth now just to think of it.
It took years for me to get over it by happily Mrs D makes a mashed yam dish that is really quite good.

Posted by: Diogenes at November 21, 2020 01:50 PM (axyOa)

28

I was never a big fan of geraniums, but those pictures changed my mind. Gorgeous.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at November 21, 2020 01:50 PM (sfhL4)

29

Sweet potato soup is delicious too.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at November 21, 2020 01:51 PM (sfhL4)

30 Kindltot,
Add rutabagas to your potatoes and turnips!!!

Winston,
I hope you're feeling better.

Diogenes,
Oktoberfest in Leavenworth isn't what you're used to, but it's fun and very loud.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 21, 2020 01:53 PM (U2p+3)

31 Posted by: Diogenes at November 21, 2020 01:50 PM (axyOa)

Okra is very popular in Nigeria (we call it okro there). Some ethnic groups have their own versions of okro soup (soup there is somewhat different from here) and I love it. But it's something I would not offer non-Africans (even some Africans) because I understand how people may not be able to handle the texture.

Posted by: chique l'African Viking Queen of Greenland (It's not over folks!) at November 21, 2020 01:53 PM (9hauA)

32 18 oh, and I like potato and turnips mashed together. You have to be careful about it because the turnips are watery so you need less liquid for mashing the potatoes.
Posted by: Kindltot at November 21, 2020 01:46 PM

Ma used to mash potatoes and carrots together. Then she would sprinkle crumbled bacon over it. After getting a pile of that on the plate you shape it into a volcano and fill the cone with butter. I would happily eat nothing but that.

Posted by: Delurk Ergo Sum at November 21, 2020 01:55 PM (YwPJG)

33 I've cooked sweet taters the same for 50 years

on the grill, direst with hot coals

first ya cut the in half

then season the inside and put a couple of garlic cloves and pats of butter

the butter the outside and season with S&P

double wrap in foil.

hour and 15 or thirty

pull em

Posted by: REDACTED at November 21, 2020 01:55 PM (R3uW8)

34 sorry, you put the tater back together as it was

Posted by: REDACTED at November 21, 2020 01:56 PM (R3uW8)

35 BTW,prayer request. The Wisconsin recount has begun as I write this, and Brown Line and I are volunteer "observers" of said recount. We will be in Milwaukee next Monday and Tuesday mornings, 8 am - 2pm. I have no idea how much hostility and obstruction we will encounter. Please pray that it goes smoothly and that we have an HONEST accounting of legal votes.
Posted by: Annalucia at November 21, 2020 01:34 PM (S6ArX)

Thank you so much for your efforts. You will have many, many morons with you in spirit.

It sounds like there will be a real counting, and you will be able to actually review each ballot, and put them aside if you see anything hinky.

Which if done this way originally, none of this pres-elect nonsense would have ever happened.

Please let us know here how it went.

Posted by: LeftCoast Dawg at November 21, 2020 01:58 PM (sy5kK)

36 Those purple things are called yams where I'm from. Sweet potatos are shaped more like Russet potatos.

Posted by: Chairman LMAO at November 21, 2020 01:59 PM (29DdM)

37 I love sweet potatoes and yams but doing keto, so no potatoes for me! I will splurge on ThAnksgivg though. I prefer them baked with lots of butter and salt.

Posted by: lin-duh at November 21, 2020 02:02 PM (UUBmN)

38 I rake my leaves (River Birch) early and often. I have learned the hard way that mosquitos reproduce in wet leaves.

Posted by: JAS at November 21, 2020 02:04 PM (2BZBZ)

39
Okra is very popular in Nigeria (we call it okro there). Some ethnic groups have their own versions of okro soup (soup there is somewhat different from here) and I love it. But it's something I would not offer non-Africans (even some Africans) because I understand how people may not be able to handle the texture.

Posted by: chique l'African Viking Queen of Greenland (It's not over folks!) at November 21, 2020 01:53 PM (9hauA)

Chique,
When I was in Somalia I would occasionally see a soup dish that had things in it...strange things...things that looked suspiciously like okra.

Now don't tell anybody I said this, and if anyone says I said it, I'll deny it, but some of it was really good.

Posted by: Diogenes at November 21, 2020 02:04 PM (axyOa)

40 BTW,prayer request. The Wisconsin recount has begun as I write this, and Brown Line and I are volunteer "observers" of said recount. We will be in Milwaukee next Monday and Tuesday mornings, 8 am - 2pm. I have no idea how much hostility and obstruction we will encounter. Please pray that it goes smoothly and that we have an HONEST accounting of legal votes.
Posted by: Annalucia at November 21, 2020 01:34 PM (S6ArX)

Big thanks to you and Brownline for serving as observers. I pray that the Lord will protect you and the others who are there to ensure a fair and honest voting process and that the truth will prevail.

God bless you both.

Posted by: chique l'African Viking Queen of Greenland (It's not over folks!) at November 21, 2020 02:06 PM (9hauA)

41 Kindltot,
Add rutabagas to your potatoes and turnips!!!

Winston,
I hope you're feeling better.

Diogenes,
Oktoberfest in Leavenworth isn't what you're used to, but it's fun and very loud.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 21, 2020 01:53 PM

***

Nurse,
I haven't been to a Leavenworth O'fest is awhile but I had heard it had become more of a party time. As I've many experiences with the one in Munich, I'm OK with that.

And Kindltot...rutabagas FTW.
Besides, you can't say rutabagas without smiling.

Posted by: Diogenes at November 21, 2020 02:07 PM (axyOa)

42 Chique,
When I was in Somalia I would occasionally see a soup dish that had things in it...strange things...things that looked suspiciously like okra.

Now don't tell anybody I said this, and if anyone says I said it, I'll deny it, but some of it was really good.

Posted by: Diogenes at November 21, 2020 02:04 PM (axyOa)

LOL, your secret is safe with me.

Posted by: chique l'African Viking Queen of Greenland (It's not over folks!) at November 21, 2020 02:07 PM (9hauA)

43 I'll give a thumbs up to Leavenworth, WA, for people looking to visit WA, almost any time of year. If you are looking to go during holiday season, be forewarned. Book well in advance.

Posted by: flounder, rebel, vulgarian, deplorable, winner at November 21, 2020 02:08 PM (KnJdm)

44 CANDIED YAMS or SWEET POTATOES
Our family enjoys the Paula Deen *Ol' No. 7 Yams" recipe. I follow it as written except for the 3 cups of water, which I cut by half... https://www.pauladeen.com/recipe/ol-no-7-yams/

Posted by: Kathy at November 21, 2020 02:09 PM (h3RRP)

45 Not a fan of the yams.

A yam once bit my sister.

Posted by: flounder, rebel, vulgarian, deplorable, winner at November 21, 2020 02:10 PM (KnJdm)

46 I am flying out to San Diego on Monday for a week. #2 son and daughter and spouses and grandkids. Just loving it. Son got an 8 rib standing rib roast. He said that wifey doesn't like turkey. I said "It's poor people food, get a rib roast." A friend said the the same thing regarding his wife. She is Japanese so I said "Get her a nice piece of ahi tuna."

Posted by: JAS at November 21, 2020 02:11 PM (2BZBZ)

47 27 Back when I was but a wee lad and Mother of Diogenes was making boiled okra (hence my lifelong hatred of that green thing) she would also make candied yams. She'd use yams from a can and put brown sugar and marshmallows on it. Gawd...it hurts me teeth now just to think of it.
It took years for me to get over it by happily Mrs D makes a mashed yam dish that is really quite good.
Posted by: Diogenes at November 21, 2020 01:50 PM (axyOa)

-----------

My mom made the same thing. No one else liked it, but she sure did. The first Thanksgiving my husband & I hosted at our new home, I told her (nicely), please don't bring that dish because no one likes it. But I like it, she said. And brought it over anyway. She dropped it on the way to the table -- all over our off-white carpet.

Posted by: Hoplite Housewife at November 21, 2020 02:11 PM (R1NI2)

48 The Geraniums are gorgeous!

Posted by: FloridachickTrump WON at November 21, 2020 02:12 PM (1a8bK)

49 >>>Winston,

>>>I hope you're feeling better.

Seconded.

Posted by: flounder, rebel, vulgarian, deplorable, winner at November 21, 2020 02:12 PM (KnJdm)

50
Yeah, pretty much all the locals enjoy visiting Leavenworth. It goes into a Christmas mode about this time, but with Scrooge Jay shutting down retail commerce because of "science", I would imagine it is but a shell of the fun and enjoyment it always used to be.

Oh, and camping / hiking in the summer / fall? Right as you come into town from the west side on Hwy 2, there is a road called Icicle Road, which parallels Icicle Creek for over 20 miles back up into the mountains. Many different camp grounds, for tents, RV's, everything. Something like 7 or 8 different campgrounds. The best are all the way near the end of the road. And it is a short but steep hike, considered the "back door" to the Enchantment Lakes area, considered by some to be the most beautiful examples of North Cascades geography. Hundreds of alpine lakes at 4500 feet elevation or higher.

It is so popular now that in peak times, you have to get a pass to even hike it for an overnight stay. No pass needed for daytime hikes. But they keep it limited so not too many people are there at one time, and keep the area pristine.

There are a lot of pictures online of the area. My best pics remain in my head, taken by my eyes, years ago.

Posted by: LeftCoast Dawg at November 21, 2020 02:13 PM (sy5kK)

51 Next venture would be parsnip-mashed potatoes.
Posted by: kallisto

We've been loving parsnips, and have tried growing them the last two years. Knowing serfs in the Middle Ages grew them made the first attempts kinda embarrassing.
Roasted with other root veggies... OMG!
We did raise our own seed this year.

Posted by: MarkY at November 21, 2020 02:13 PM (JZx7M)

52 A couple of years ago, due to a storm, we lost power. I had planned on cooking a pot roast. Well, I broke out the Coleman Deluxe Camp stove and the dutch oven. First time I tried parsnips. With spuds, carrots, etc. OMG. The best pot roast I ever made.

Posted by: JAS at November 21, 2020 02:14 PM (2BZBZ)

53 For shits and giggles I grew some cannabis this year since I'm in a state its legal, its quite a beautiful plant, the purple varieties, I like the smell too. I ended up with some massive specimens and enough weed to barter for goods when the dark times come.

Posted by: KarlHungus at November 21, 2020 02:14 PM (YlyPd)

54 Missed ya'll last week.

I put the twiced-baked potatoes in the freezer yesterday. It must be my MIL's recipe: nothing but butter, salt and sour cream.

It's just him and me this year. The family host bowed out b/c COVID fears and all the kids are doing their own things. We are just worn out by 2020.

Cut back the ageratum and took down the morning glory vine. Not much else to do but rake leaves into lines for him to shred for me with the mower.

Need to put another coat of paint on the FREE metal folding chair for the garden. I like to have several seats scattered around, so I can look at it from various POVs

I had a nice surprise: the iris rhizome that I bought last fall at the town Fall Fest finally bloomed. I had actually forgotten about it- I assumed it died when it didn't come up this spring. Walked past the iris bed by the shed and -boom- there it was.
A lovely white with very pale blue shading.

Posted by: Sal at November 21, 2020 02:14 PM (KTdeA)

55 I'm bringing in the fig trees that are in pots. I keep meaning to plant them, but they'll (hopefully) survive another long winter's nap in the garage. Need to prune back and wrap the one that is planted outside.

Posted by: Hoplite Housewife at November 21, 2020 02:15 PM (R1NI2)

56 I never used to like sweet potatoes because I really don't like squash, it is a texture thing, but then I figured out not all orange veggies are bad. I like to make my sweet potatoes mashed with butter, minced ginger, a little coconut milk and salt. Really delicious. I also make a hot sweet potato salad with kale that is to die for.

Posted by: WeeKreek Farm Girl at November 21, 2020 02:15 PM (6T5sH)

57 LCD,
Icicle creek was the site of #1 sons first camping trip. He was 8 weeks old. We had to get out of the house. The singing of the creek pulled him to sleep and we got a few hours in a row. It was lovely.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 21, 2020 02:17 PM (U2p+3)

58 Chique d'Afrique and LeftCoast Dawg, thank you for prayers. I admit I'm nervous. I am, in fact, the biggest fraidy-cat on two legs.

I will check back in on Tuesday afternoon, or maybe Wednesday, to let you know how it went. I've been staying off the net ( and stopped reading the newspapers ) pretty much since the election because there's so little hard news; it's mostly noise. As my daughter said, it's like waiting for medical tests to come back - somehow your life gets suspended while you're waiting.
On the other hand, I've been able to do a lot of sock knitting :-) And Kyle Rittenhouse is FINALLY out on bail, so there's a bit of good news among all the screaming and foot-stomping.

Posted by: Annalucia at November 21, 2020 02:17 PM (S6ArX)

59 Love sweet potatoes just about any way they are cooked. Also actually like okra. Preferably fried okra but like it in soup too.

Posted by: FloridachickTrump WON at November 21, 2020 02:19 PM (1a8bK)

60 Spent nearly a decade living in Wenatchee, WA. Used to call football games for the Cascade Kodiaks (Leavenworth) and Cashmere Bulldogs as a side gig.

One of the best things about living there (other than the weather, The Loop, etc, etc) was just getting away for a day in Leavenworth when the crowds weren't there.

Posted by: Bea Arthur's Dick at November 21, 2020 02:19 PM (jWe5r)

61 Speaking of places to visit:
Homestead Heritage outside Waco IS having their annual Thanksgiving Weekend Fair, so YAY! and good for them.

I can go whenever I want, so won't be going to that, but am so happy for them.

Posted by: Sal at November 21, 2020 02:19 PM (KTdeA)

62 God bless you Annalucia for your efforts with the recount. Praying here that truth prevails.

Posted by: FloridachickTrump WON at November 21, 2020 02:20 PM (1a8bK)

63 I see a group of fellow local morons here, so I'll pass along that I did talk to a Park Ranger of a local state park about having a daytime MoMe here in the PNW, but thanks to Mr. Guvnor Science, we have to limit it to 5 people.

So none for now.

We can't even find a restaurant to meet at to drink Diogenes' beer. Insless is a stupid, evil man. Mr Science isn't following the science, and doesn't care about the death of small and family business in his state.

Strange, he never mentions the rising suicide rate here, either. Yeah, you're right, it's not strange, it's evil.

Posted by: LeftCoast Dawg at November 21, 2020 02:21 PM (sy5kK)

64 There's one place to avoid at all costs in Leavenworth.

Don't go to the Nutcracker Museum. It's creepy af. Just. Don't.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 21, 2020 02:22 PM (U2p+3)

65 Not a fan of the yams.
A yam once bit my sister.

Posted by: flounder, rebel, vulgarian, deplorable, winner at November 21, 2020 02:10 PM (KnJdm)

I yam what I yam

Posted by: Popeye, the Dioscorea tuber at November 21, 2020 02:25 PM (WyVLE)

66 Annalucia,

Thank you both for your service. Will be praying for you.

Working on a vest for myself- chicken knitting, as I may not have ordered enough yarn...

Posted by: Sal at November 21, 2020 02:25 PM (KTdeA)

67 You can meet at my shop, but I'm in Oregon, and it would be before noon, or after 10pm... Kinda makes things hard.

Posted by: KarlHungus at November 21, 2020 02:25 PM (YlyPd)

68 Although not plants, the pictured turkey reminds me of an article in the wsj, before Rupert ruined it, that talked about a farm that "rescued" turkeys. They don't live a happy life with age because of being so top heavy with breast meat putting a painful strain on the skeleton. Plus they develop arthritis. So being humane isn't all that great...

Posted by: Captain Hate at November 21, 2020 02:25 PM (y7DUB)

69 One word regarding Turkey.... BRINE

Posted by: It's me donna at November 21, 2020 02:26 PM (Zmnko)

70 Kindltot at November 21, 2020 01:43 PM
My grandparents had a Winter Banana apple tree. Distinctive!

Posted by: KT at November 21, 2020 02:26 PM (BVQ+1)

71 And LCD,

We weren't "allowed" to congregate and camp in May either.

Name a place and time and I'll be there. Screw Inslee. How much do you want to bet his rules don't apply to his family or friends.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 21, 2020 02:26 PM (U2p+3)

72 And my front is mostly glass, kinda risky with roving bands of Karen's in minivan technicals..

Posted by: KarlHungus at November 21, 2020 02:27 PM (YlyPd)

73 I love the bell pepper carts. That is genius. So is the reclining topiary. Smiles all around.

Posted by: JTB at November 21, 2020 02:27 PM (7EjX1)

74 No one in my house will eat yams so I no longer make them for Thanksgiving...

Posted by: It's me donna at November 21, 2020 02:27 PM (Zmnko)

75 69
One word regarding Turkey.... BRINE

Posted by: It's me donna at November 21, 2020 02:26 PM (Zmnko)

It's one of the few ways to get delicious, juicy breasts. The other known ways are deep-frying and big wallet.

Posted by: flounder, rebel, vulgarian, deplorable, winner at November 21, 2020 02:29 PM (KnJdm)

76 I saw reports that the Rockefeller Center's Christmas tree is scraggly and I thought, well, how bad can it be? And it's really bad!

Bernard B. Kerik
@BernardKerik

Nov 18
What is this, a joke? This is the Rockefeller Christmas tree for 2020. It depicts
@NYCMayor's city as it stands today: broken, empty, drained of its life, by failed leadership and incompetence.

Posted by: m at November 21, 2020 02:29 PM (7d/2N)

77 71
And LCD,

We weren't "allowed" to congregate and camp in May either.

Name a place and time and I'll be there. Screw Inslee. How much do
you want to bet his rules don't apply to his family or friends.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 21, 2020 02:26 PM (U2p+3)

I'm up on a weekend away.

Posted by: flounder, rebel, vulgarian, deplorable, winner at November 21, 2020 02:30 PM (KnJdm)

78 WeeKreek Farm Girl, if you put in diced carrots, chili peppers, potatoes, a knob of butter and curry paste, you will have my recipe for pumpkin curry.

Posted by: Kindltot at November 21, 2020 02:30 PM (WyVLE)

79 STUFFIN' MUFFINS ... Just popped a bunch of these in the freezer for family members who will be dining alone on Thursday -- and/or not roasting whole birds. Made a large pan of sausage stuffing yesterday, refrigerated it overnight, then scooped portions into Texas-size muffin tins today. Ziploc freezer bags will be okay for storing these short-term, but I would use the FoodSaver freezing method for long-term. Anyway, these will need only 1 day to thaw and can be quickly reheated just before serving.

Posted by: Kathy at November 21, 2020 02:30 PM (h3RRP)

80 I don't like turkey. Except smoked and sliced in sammiches.

Hopefully my friend doesn't freak out at the last minute and pull the plug on dinner Thursday. There will only be five of us, but four different households, so technically we are breaking the rules.

Then it's just me and boy #1. Which is fine too.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 21, 2020 02:31 PM (U2p+3)

81 Sal at November 21, 2020 02:14 PM
Fun surprise, that iris!

Posted by: KT at November 21, 2020 02:31 PM (BVQ+1)

82 Posted by: Kathy at November 21, 2020 02:30 PM (h3RRP)

That's a great idea. We have China Lung Aids friends we will be bringing food to as they are in quarantine.

Posted by: flounder, rebel, vulgarian, deplorable, winner at November 21, 2020 02:32 PM (KnJdm)

83 Great pics today especially the veges and the topiary. Sent it to my grandkids.
Took some cactus pics in Texas that I hav3 been meaning to send except they are not great. I was impressed with the flower buds on them. Maybe I'll send and you can see if they are worthy.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at November 21, 2020 02:35 PM (sd8p8)

84 57 LCD,
Icicle creek was the site of #1 sons first camping trip. He was 8 weeks old. We had to get out of the house. The singing of the creek pulled him to sleep and we got a few hours in a row. It was lovely.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 21, 2020 02:17 PM (U2p+3)

Icicle creek was the second camping trip for Little LCD. His first one was at 6 or 7 weeks old at a friends outdoor weekend party north of Arlington on 20 acres, few hundred people, live bands, kegs and food.
Some Lummi Indians would show up and have a separate firepit from the bonfire pit, grilling fresh salmon over alder coals, and we put the tent on the front lawn on the other side of the house where the bands weren't so loud. He just rolled with the punches, and the women fought to hold him so the wife got lots of time off.

Two or three weeks later, we went to Icicle Creek, it was nearly 100 degrees (yeah, but Eastern WA is a "dry heat") and again, he was a trooper, never cried. All weekend he was pretty much naked except for a diaper.

Posted by: LeftCoast Dawg at November 21, 2020 02:36 PM (sy5kK)

85 For those who like okra (and shrimp!), I made this and it was da bomb (recipe at Gun and Garden): https://tinyurl.com/y3qjqxqk

Just be sure you use fresh young okra pods (smaller, uniformly light green). The mature larger ones can have tough seeds and fibrous skin.

Posted by: Chairman LMAO at November 21, 2020 02:42 PM (29DdM)

86 For outside-the-bird stuffing, try adding a little Better Than Bouillion's roasted turkey concentrate to whatever amount of broth/stock your recipe calls for. It really boosted the flavor of the Stuffin' Muffins mentioned earlier.

Posted by: Kathy at November 21, 2020 02:42 PM (h3RRP)

87 60 Spent nearly a decade living in Wenatchee, WA. Used to call football games for the Cascade Kodiaks (Leavenworth) and Cashmere Bulldogs as a side gig.

One of the best things about living there (other than the weather, The Loop, etc, etc) was just getting away for a day in Leavenworth when the crowds weren't there.
Posted by: Bea Arthur's Dick at November 21, 2020 02:19 PM (jWe5r)

Long ago college roommate moved his paint contracting business to Wenatchee about 20 years ago from Snohomish, and does quite well. His business has grown as the area has grown. It's been tough with the China flu / Insless nonsense, though. I hear from him every few weeks or month to stay caught up with local / Eastern WA issues and events.
Wenatchee / Leavenworth / Chelan area is so beautiful.

A lot of people are moving there from the West side.

Posted by: LeftCoast Dawg at November 21, 2020 02:44 PM (sy5kK)

88 I see a group of fellow local morons here, so I'll pass along that I did talk to a Park Ranger of a local state park about having a daytime MoMe here in the PNW, but thanks to Mr. Guvnor Science, we have to limit it to 5 people.

So none for now.

Thanks to Mostly Peaceful Grognard for coordinating our own MiniCentralOHMoMe today. Salute!

Great turnout and lovely company. No masks, we shook hands and hugged and no park or LEO officials took notice of us.

I know, we're Rebels.

Posted by: Tonypete at November 21, 2020 02:46 PM (Rvt88)

89 One word regarding Turkey.... BRINE

Posted by: It's me donna at November 21, 2020 02:26 PM (Zmnko)

It's one of the few ways to get delicious, juicy breasts. The other known ways are deep-frying and big wallet.

We deep fry ours.. Have for years

Posted by: It's me donna at November 21, 2020 02:47 PM (Zmnko)

90 Leavenworth is a great place to visit.

Leavenworth always gave me that caged up feeling.

Posted by: That Guy What Always Says Yeah Buddy TM at November 21, 2020 02:48 PM (R5lpX)

91 Thanks Kindltot, I will try this. I do like pumpkin, I make a pumpkin pasta sauce, but I admit to using canned pumpkin puree which is nice and smooth...

Posted by: WeeKreek Farm Girl at November 21, 2020 02:50 PM (6T5sH)

92 Cornbread stuffing is gross.

And I like cornbread

Posted by: RoyalOil at November 21, 2020 02:52 PM (vPKfA)

93 On the potatoes, sweet or otherwise...

We try the straw method In boxes but the watering of the plants turns the straw into goo over the summer and we get very little yield.

What am I missing?

Posted by: Derak at November 21, 2020 02:52 PM (k0WjC)

94 7 My sisters and I grew up with a mother who should have been in a mental hospital. Except for school we were NOT ALLOWED OUT OF THE HOUSE by ourselves because we might get raped.
Posted by: Annalucia at November 21, 2020 01:34 PM (S6ArX)

I'm very sorry.

Posted by: m at November 21, 2020 02:53 PM (7d/2N)

95 Just made it.
Good afternoon Greenthumbs.
Leaf collecting all day, some still on trees others trees bare.
Seems early this year to me, but have most done, at least most important.

Posted by: Skip at November 21, 2020 02:53 PM (9sWOw)

96 Found out that the new son-in-law likes to garden.
They just moved into a lease house, so I think we
might pre-construct a raised bed for him for Christmas.
We could take it up there, put it together and fill it with dirt.
I'll ask our daughter...

Posted by: Sal at November 21, 2020 02:54 PM (KTdeA)

97 Cornbread stuffing with oysters is to die for.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 21, 2020 02:55 PM (U2p+3)

98
Yams vs. sweet potatoes. A true yam is nothing like a sweet potato. A true yam comes from Africa and also grows in the Caribbean -- true yams sold here are generally imported from the latter.

A true yam tastes and looks more like a regular potato, although it's different.

Big Sweet Potato here got to calling the red-skinned, orange flesh sweet potatoes "yams" for marketing purposes to distinguish it from the older white flesh varieties.

USDA regulations require the word "sweet potato" to be used somewhere on the label to properly identify it.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Rapscallion of a Poperin Pear at November 21, 2020 02:57 PM (rCwaK)

99 19 fall has fell

Posted by: George V at November 21, 2020 01:46 PM (U2Tva)

Nice!

Posted by: m at November 21, 2020 02:58 PM (7d/2N)

100 am flying out to San Diego on Monday for a week. #2 son and daughter and spouses and grandkids. Just loving it. Son got an 8 rib standing rib roast. He said that wifey doesn't like turkey. I said "It's poor people food, get a rib roast." A friend said the the same thing regarding his wife. She is Japanese so I said "Get her a nice piece of ahi tuna."
Posted by: JAS at November 21, 2020 02:11 PM (2BZBZ)

My home town 45 years ago.

Wife and I are having standing rib roast for Thanksgiving dinner also. Local market has them on sale this week. I don't think we'll need an eight ribber, though.

Be careful your roast don't get confiscated when the gestapo barges in.

Posted by: That Guy What Always Says Yeah Buddy TM at November 21, 2020 02:58 PM (R5lpX)

101 Posted by: Annalucia at November 21, 2020 02:17 PM (S6ArX)

Please do keep us posted.

Posted by: chique l'African Viking Queen of Greenland (It's not over folks!) at November 21, 2020 02:59 PM (9hauA)

102 Just placed my order for a thanksgiving meal that I will pick up on Sunday, so we are all set!

Posted by: chique l'African Viking Queen of Greenland (It's not over folks!) at November 21, 2020 03:00 PM (9hauA)

103 97
Cornbread stuffing with oysters is to die for.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 21, 2020 02:55 PM (U2p+3)

You are in charge of stuffing. I have never had it.

Posted by: flounder, rebel, vulgarian, deplorable, winner at November 21, 2020 03:00 PM (KnJdm)

104 LCD,

Chelan was another place my girlfriend (now wife of 22 years) and I would head up for the day when the crowds weren't there. And concerts at the Gorge were only 40 minutes away.

She'd come over on the weekends and it was like a mini-vacation for her every time. I miss it.

Posted by: Bea Arthur's Dick at November 21, 2020 03:02 PM (jWe5r)

105 The little vegetable wagons are too cute

Posted by: Skip at November 21, 2020 03:02 PM (9sWOw)

106 27 Back when I was but a wee lad and Mother of Diogenes was making boiled okra (hence my lifelong hatred of that green thing) she would also make candied yams. She'd use yams from a can and put brown sugar and marshmallows on it.
Posted by: Diogenes at November 21, 2020 01:50 PM (axyOa)

"Can"died yams; recipe on the can.
My mom made those, too!

Posted by: m at November 21, 2020 03:03 PM (7d/2N)

107 32 Ma used to mash potatoes and carrots together. Then she would sprinkle crumbled bacon over it. After getting a pile of that on the plate you shape it into a volcano and fill the cone with butter. I would happily eat nothing but that.
Posted by: Delurk Ergo Sum at November 21, 2020 01:55 PM (YwPJG)

Yum!

Posted by: m at November 21, 2020 03:06 PM (7d/2N)

108 spypeach at November 21, 2020 01:34 PM
I see directions to prune them back by a third in late winter or early spring. Though they can be pruned in the fall. They bloom on new wood. If you want them to be smaller, you could maybe cut them all the way back, but it might be a shock to the plants to do it all at once. You might also trigger re-growth if your weather is still warm. Might not be good.

Posted by: KT at November 21, 2020 03:07 PM (BVQ+1)

109 clutch cargo at November 21, 2020 01:44 PM
Nice sweet potato recipe!

Posted by: KT at November 21, 2020 03:08 PM (BVQ+1)

110 MarkY at November 21, 2020 02:13 PM
Parsnip seeds have a short shelf life. Among the shortest of common veggie seeds. Keep them cool.

Posted by: KT at November 21, 2020 03:09 PM (BVQ+1)

111 I see directions to prune them back by a third in late winter or early spring. Though they can be pruned in the fall. They bloom on new wood. If you want them to be smaller, you could maybe cut them all the way back, but it might be a shock to the plants to do it all at once. You might also trigger re-growth if your weather is still warm. Might not be good.
Posted by: KT at November 21, 2020 03:07 PM (BVQ+1)

Thank you, yeah we are still having warm days here in VA. But they are so tall and leggy, would really like them to be smaller/fuller. Maybe I'll wait until it gets colder and just take a little off like you said.

Posted by: spypeach at November 21, 2020 03:10 PM (Up/Jb)

112 I raked and burned some velvet and tumbleweeds that I never got mowed this summer.

Colorado has turned deep blue (or Dems have cheated to appear so in a light blue state) but I live in a red county. Last night on the news they had a bit about "Weld county commissioners have voted to refuse to follow the state's red stage COVID lockdowns" So small blessing there. I am just so over the hysteria. Last spring when things were first heating up they were going to add 1000 ICU beds by May. The weather got warm and sunny and the beds were not needed so not added. (but dumb Karens and Pols thought the lockdowns and mask mandates kept the virus from spreading) Well if they could add beds last spring they can add them now. Chop chop.

Posted by: PaleRider is simply irredeemable at November 21, 2020 03:11 PM (Aashi)

113 58 As my daughter said, it's like waiting for medical tests to come back - somehow your life gets suspended while you're waiting.

Posted by: Annalucia at November 21, 2020 02:17 PM (S6ArX)

Yes, it is just like that.

Posted by: m at November 21, 2020 03:14 PM (7d/2N)

114 Outside the bird stuffing is called "dressing." My mom was a Southern girl. We NEVER had stuffing. We had dressing.

Posted by: JAS at November 21, 2020 03:19 PM (2BZBZ)

115 Colorado has been Californicated.

Posted by: JAS at November 21, 2020 03:20 PM (2BZBZ)

116 "Be careful your roast don't get confiscated when the gestapo barges in."

My son is more heavily prepared than me.

Posted by: JAS at November 21, 2020 03:21 PM (2BZBZ)

117 Posted by: Annalucia at November 21, 2020 01:34 PM (S6ArX)
Thank you and God Speed

Posted by: Gonzotx at November 21, 2020 03:23 PM (eQh3B)

118 Pets are up!

Posted by: m at November 21, 2020 03:23 PM (7d/2N)

119 114
Outside the bird stuffing is called "dressing." My mom was a Southern girl. We NEVER had stuffing. We had dressing.

We had both. If you liked the crispy, drier dressing or a little soggier with bird juices you could have a little of both. The ol' man always got the giblets roasted outside of the bird and always left us a taste. He got first pick of the dark meat too because well, he worked and paid for it.

Posted by: dartist at November 21, 2020 03:30 PM (+ya+t)

120 Florida s**t the bed in 2000 with its ballots. It reformed and updated, and poof, like magic it turned from a swing state to a red state.

Also Ohio in 2004, as far as I can tell. Garbage governors not withstanding.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at November 21, 2020 03:44 PM (LxTcq)

121 Hiya KT ! LOL !

Posted by: JT at November 21, 2020 03:51 PM (arJlL)

122 Brought in the poinsettias at end of Sept due to surprise cold-snap... they started turning color within a couple of weeks!

Should be fully bloomed out by Christmas.

Too bad I didn't prune them back in Feb-- they look so straggly.

Posted by: JQ at November 21, 2020 03:54 PM (09wCi)

123 Annalucia,

Thank you both for your service. Will be praying for you.

Seconded !

And safe travels !

And you have a beautiful name !

Posted by: JT at November 21, 2020 03:56 PM (arJlL)

124 >>>[114] Outside the bird stuffing is called "dressing." My mom was a Southern girl. We NEVER had stuffing. We had dressing. Posted by: JAS at November 21, 2020 03:19 PM (2BZBZ)
==============
Having southern roots myself, the distinction has always been easy. Living considerably north of the Mason-Dixon, however, I found it wise to simply verbalize *outside-the-bird* stuffing. Because most of the folks in my world would initially perceive a salad condiment were I to say *dressing*, followed by confused facial expressions and then me trying to explaining the difference. Ironically, many would either lose interest after 2 seconds or try to debate the topic ad nauseum. Meanwhile, I typically had 47 other kitchen tasks to accomplish before the dinner bell could ring.

Posted by: Kathy at November 21, 2020 03:56 PM (h3RRP)

125 We are having cornish hen for Thanksgiving, it's become our go-to holiday meal. Ribroast if anyone is visiting.

Hubby's son can't make it; our parents have all passed; siblings (mostly childless) all live far, far away.

We're not lonely:

Neighbors all have their own little ones or grands, so there's still Holiday Magic!

Posted by: JQ at November 21, 2020 04:02 PM (09wCi)

126 Hiya, JT

Posted by: KT at November 21, 2020 04:07 PM (BVQ+1)

127 spypeach at November 21, 2020 03:10 PM
You can probably trim them back some now. Probably won't hurt them to trim all the way back if you wait for deep cold weather.

Posted by: KT at November 21, 2020 04:09 PM (BVQ+1)

128 If you get parsnips at the store, try planting the tops. They really don't have hybrid varieties for these. They will grow and go to seed. Parsnip seed has to be very fresh to grow.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at November 21, 2020 05:45 PM (YynYJ)

129 Thanks KT for another great thread!

It hardly seems like Thanksgiving this week, it has been a rough year here at Chez Boots, as it has been for everyone else.

We would normally be planning a big meal with lots of people. This year, there will be four of us. We are and will continue to be thankful.

We give thanks for our food...
We give thanks for each other...
We give thanks for our lives.

I love the Pepper Train! Someday when serving appetizers, someday hopefully soon, I will be stealing that!

Posted by: President-Elect Boots at November 21, 2020 06:06 PM (oGBso)

130 I really missed the garden thread. Classes went online Thursday, with only one day of preparation. I have to go in tomorrow after church or I'll never get everything done that administration wants. Was going to go today, but the weather was too nice.

I had a lot of branches to pick up after last weekend's gale. Previously, I mulched the lawn with finely-chopped leaves, but the winds completely cleaned them out. Looks like the blower-loving neighbor worked on all the yards.

The succulents which I brought in were cleaned, watered, and arranged in the guestroom. The geraniums will be replaced in the spring. Their pots are full of centipedes.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at November 21, 2020 06:16 PM (/+bwe)

131 From Idaho's Treasure Valley, Boise area: Am I the only one still doing garden work, instead of talking about food??

It's been mostly above freezing at night, though it will be getting colder this coming week - we've had frost the last 2 nights. Daytimes have been as high as 61 F, as low as 40 F.

I previously mentioned having 5 onions left in the ground - I decided to dig them up. An experiment for next spring (or even this winter?) will be to plant the onion *seeds* I have, to see how long it takes them to do anything useful.

We raked up 15 leaf bags' worth of sycamores of Tuesday. Husband also mowed/mulched the sweet gum leaves. Over the course of the week, we've raked and shredded all the leaves from a 4-story silver maple (I named it Jupiter, for the King of the Gods). The shredded maple leaves go into cages, and we save them for mixing into compost. (If KT ever wants somebody to write a guest article about "How to Make Compost, Very Basic Version" - yes, I'm volunteering.)

The crabapple, linden, and sweet gums are done dropping leaves. So are the southside maple, the "donut maple", and "Eric the half-a-maple" (he got better).The silver maple is down to the point that we can mulch what little is still on the tree.

Then there's the 4 Annoying Sycamores... The leaves don't mulch. The leaves don't burn well. And the leaves don't all fall off until February. If you are thinking about planting a sycamore, I beg you not to add to your life's troubles...

But, we'll try soon to sweep up oaks and sycamores, add a bit of lighter fluid, and see if we can get the leaves to burn. Oaks may not compost at all, but they do have a waxy coating that's useful for getting sycamores to burn. Otherwise, all the sycamores I rake up, have to be raked up and stuffed in leaf bags, or the trash, or into big plastic bags during the trash company's "We'll take anything" week.

It's frustrating that leaf-raking season, and the start of our seasonal precipitation, happen at the same time... We actually had a thunderstorm on Wednesday, so we had to wait until the sun and wind dried the leaves to do our shredding. Since we were able to shred so many leaves today, tomorrow we'll take a crack at the leaves under Eric-maple, see if we have room in our leaf cages for any more!, otherwise it's the trash for those.

It's also about time to hack some limbs off the pine we're taking apart, and make our Christmas/Yule wreath.

May your God bless you on Thanksgiving Day, and be generous to you in the coming year.

*****
Remember: We are not The Deplorables. We are The Unconquerables! We won't be lied to, and we won't live under the lash.
Stay alert, stay prepared, stay safe out there.
Be ready to build over, build under, build around, if events should turn against us.

Posted by: Pat* at November 21, 2020 06:24 PM (2pX/F)

132 You're talking Leavenworth, WA and not Kansas?

Posted by: Williechokertoobin at November 21, 2020 06:58 PM (49IcX)

133 Ugh, sycamore trees... Had *one* at my last residence and I've sworn to never have one on my property again! If they're not shedding leaves (which is: 10 months of the year) they're shedding bark and/or those ugly seed-balls. Messy and not nearly picturesque enough to make it worth the trouble!

Pat*, you're not the only one to still be doing yardwrk! There's a bit more raking to do here. Will tackle it tomorrow since I goofed off too much today.

Maybe will be able to put up the Christmas lights so they'll be ready to *switch on* next weekend!

Posted by: JQ at November 21, 2020 07:58 PM (09wCi)

134 Peel, deseed and cube butternut squash. On parchment lined rimmed baking sheet toss cubes with olive oil, salt, pepper and sage. Roast about 40 mins at 375 degrees. In the meantime mix about 1/4 cup chicken broth with 1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Remove squash from oven. Toss with broth/sugar mixture. Return to oven for 5-10 minutes. I'll eat the entire platter, it's so good.

Posted by: S.Lynn at November 21, 2020 08:16 PM (2Kb6M)

135 I've been in charge of the sweet potatoes in my family or every family gathering, no matter who hosts, for the last 25 years. The most simple recipe, but everybody loves them. (My brother-in-law saves them for dessert.) Made a video about it a couple years ago here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yyQy1aSLeU

Posted by: P. Dawg Night at November 21, 2020 08:25 PM (1ypKD)

136 P. Dawg Night at November 21, 2020 08:25 PM
Cool. You want it posted?

Posted by: KT at November 22, 2020 10:01 AM (BVQ+1)

137 If KT ever wants somebody to write a guest article about "How to Make Compost, Very Basic Version" - yes, I'm volunteering.
Please! I've never had luck with compost and I'm not sure if it's my basic laziness or something else. All I ever get is a bad pile of weeds.

Posted by: gingeroni at November 22, 2020 04:02 PM (X7FeU)

138 Pat* at November 21, 2020 06:24 PM

We'll take you up on the compost offer!

Posted by: KT at November 22, 2020 09:11 PM (BVQ+1)

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