Friday - June 27,  2003                                                            posted 8:50 AM PST  

Weather Report:  Another scorcher!

Thursday - June 26,  2003                                                            posted 6:10 AM PST  

love to gobble down) she asked if it would be alright if she tasted the lettuce also... I suppose she figured if the ducks were certainly enjoying it, why not her?

She hesitantly bit into lettuce and then exclaimed with surprise "your lettuce tastes better than the ones I eat!"  She was puzzled with why our lettuce tasted sooo good.  Now every time she comes over she asks if it's OK to go into the garden and pick lettuce to eat--more like nibble on! 

The other day while she was visiting, she remarked that we should try to get more children to enjoy eating their veggies - like she had learned by eating some of our produce.   Her remark made us think about the many children out there like her who only know bland supermarket vegetables.  Kids of course balk at eating certain veggies... but get them to taste one that is homegrown and sweet and they want more! 

Having a garden is certainly making us spoiled.  When we are away traveling we grumble and complain about eating tasteless "slop" or "utsaput" {a Flemish slang word that we utter -- Now, don't ask me what it means because I haven't the faintest clue; our Belgian grandfather used it to describe food that was prepared poorly} 

Anyhow, why go out to eat, when you can enjoy a better tasting meal picked right outside your door.. and not to mention cheaper too!

Weather Report:  Well, we wanted it and certainly got it... warm and hot with temps reaching close to 100º!

Wednesday - June 25,  2003                                                            posted 6:25 AM PST  

Playing 'This Little Piggy'              Eyeing the chickens           Finally fully feathered!

ALL GROWN UP

The Khaki Campbells are finally fully feathered (say that 10x fast!) and they are gorgeous birds (not to mention crazy characters!)  Each morning one of the ducks, gives whomever is feeding it a kiss on the lips... well more like a love peck!   They are such a joy to watch as they waddle their little selves around, constantly shakin' their backside!  Really cute!

The other day we went to pick up some organic chicken lay mash in Arcadia from Chino Valley Ranchers, est 1903.  This company has a farm in the area which sells organic, vege-fed, free ranged eggs and feed. The warehouse was a nice old brick building and inside were thousands and thousands of eggs stacked up on pallets!  Hadn't seen so many eggs in one place -- it was quite a sight really.

It was great to find this local supplier of organic, non hormone lay mash since the ducks and chickens have decimated the bug, aphid and worm population in the yard and they needed some natural protein added to their diets.  Also, we feed them a bowl of cooked soybeans in the morning which they utterly enjoy.  Hopefully now the worm population will have a chance to replenish.

Weather Report:  Sunny and warm!

Tuesday - June 24,  2003                                                            posted 8:10 AM PST  

 This cool weather is making me think about food quite a lot lately.  So, I went online yesterday searching for some new recipes to try...   I'd like to make stuffed grapes leaves again this year and was searching for some different fillings and in my search I found some really tasty recipes at Vegetarian Recipes From Around The World and Vegetarian Recipes... Reading over the recipes got me licking my lips and heading for the kitchen to whip up some new meals.

Hey, readers, let's hear from you!  What are your favorite recipe sites or recipes?  Please post them in the comment box.... Thanks for sharing!

Weather Report:  Overcast, predicted to clear up later on in the day.

Sunday - June 22,  2003                                                            posted 8:56 AM PST  

Lizzie, as do all of our chickens, enjoys jumping on our backs and fiddling with our hair.

FEATHERED FRIENDS

I mentioned in a previous posting that an AP reporter was doing a piece on 'chickens as pets' and asked us a couple questions.... Well, here's his article:
Move Over, Fido!  Chickens Are Becoming Hip Suburban Pets.  After a long day, it's soooo relaxing to go visit the gals... sit among them and feed them treats (raisins being their favorite). 

They, as you can see from the photos, love to jump up on our shoulders and backs.  The gals also have this fascination with hair, they love fooling the strands around in their beaks as if they were arranging it to their satisfaction.

Weather Report:  Still dreary and gloomy.  Yesterday being the longest day (Solstice) the sun instead took a vacation,  it drizzled practically all day.

Friday - June 20,  2003                                                            posted 6:03 AM PST  

JUNE DOOM?

It's baaaack!  Yep, that darn gloom is back!  The past couple days we've been socked in with downright gloomy weather.   Again.  Yesterday and this morning we've even had light rainfall. So much for the brief spat of warm sunshine the other day... it didn't stay long.  And so much for the Summer Solstice.

When will all this June Gloom end?  Check out the LA TIMES article: "How does June Gloom affect your life and your work?"

One thing for sure, the vegetables are certainly affected!!!  They don't know what to make of this weather!   The tomatoes are dropping blossoms, the squashes are not producing any blossoms, the corn ears are small, and everything's at a standstill as if waiting for warm weather.  We have to be constantly on guard for mildew and other pesky diseases that like to grow in damp, dark weather.

On the local news the other day, the weather man didn't give us much hope that'd Summer would actually decide to show up.   He predicted that this gloom would last thru July and even into August!   ARGH!

The weather's not only wacky here, other parts of the country are getting their fair share.   Last night on the evening news the guy reported that the East is being inundated with storms, one state (can't remember which) has had rain 40 out of 50 days!!! 

On the bright side, this weather's great for tidying up the house.  Yesterday, we gals went on a cleaning binge... dusting, polishing, organizing, sorting, washing, etc... Sheesh, what's got into us anyhow?  "Blame" it on the weather! ;-)

Weather Report:  Light rain.

Monday - June 16,  2003                                                            posted 6:13 AM PST  

Seeds of Change and Renee's Garden were both generous enough to donate seeds so we can hand them out to the children for their participation in our hands-on activity.  While looking up facts for the activity we have planned, I came across some startling facts about the incredible amount of plants that are being lost. 

If you are planting a garden this year, it would be wonderful to start saving your own seeds.... and if you are already SOS {saving our seeds}, more power to you!  Here are some sobering facts for you to consider:

All around the world, more than 3 species of plants are becoming extinct every hour.  This adds up to 27,000 species each year.

The Seed Savers Exchange estimates that 90% of the food crops grown at the end of the 19th century are no longer commercially available.  The United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that in this century, 75% of the genetic diversity of agriculture crops has been lost.

97% of the food that our grandparents ate at the turn of the century are no longer in available.

Today, agriculture uses only 20 plant varieties for 90% of our food, although there are an estimated 30,000 to 80,000 food plants in existence. 

Although we are already trying to save as many of our seeds {SOS}, some species like squash and cucumbers won't come true to seed due to the limited space that we have.  So, when we do have to purchase seeds, we make sure to purchase them from seed companies that are doing their part in preserving the biodiversity of edible food crops.  ...."if we take care of the seeds, they will take care of us. The first step begins with the seeds, because they carry the memory and wisdom of how to survive."  ~ Seeds of Life ~

Not only is the plant kingdom in trouble but the animal kingdom is also facing a dismal future.   Wild and domestic animals are being lost at an alarming rate. 

One third of farm animal breeds face extinction.

Domestic animal diversity : two breeds are lost every week - new report warns that 1,350 breeds face extinction

"Human beings treasure what is rare. Our inclinations toward the unusual distinguish us from our fellows. An increasingly wealthy society can afford to turn what was once deadly serious business, growing food, into a hobby.

The thousands of crop and domestic animal breeds in the world today were brought into existence by the private efforts of farmers and herdsmen through the ages. Individual people following their private passions are still the best way to preserve these varieties for future generations." ~ Reason Magazine ~

Weather Report:  Overcast in morning, expected to warm up later in the day.

Sunday - June 15,  2003                                                            posted 5:55 AM PST  

 Corn almost as high as an elephant's eye?     Tomato jungle ... machete anyone?   

SHINE ON

What's this!?!  Could it be?  There's something bright and yellow in the sky....  Yes, the sun finally has come out and decided to stay!  Hmmmm, I wonder if this sudden occurrence had anything to do with Melissa's (aka Pioneer Woman) sun dance?  ;-)

  Now we can try out our new CooKit. Whoopee!  It's an inexpensive hybrid developed by longtime solar oven pioneer, Barbara Kerr.  Each kit SCI sells goes to provide third world countries with these efficient cookers. 

The new CooKit is a great addition to the homemade solar oven we built last summer, we should really start turning out sun cooked dishes!   The guys have started on building another solar oven, but with all that's going on, they haven't had the time to finish it.  Here's a great article about solar cooking -- The Sun Also Bakes: Get out of the kitchen and discover solar cooking.

And now for an update on our progress of installing solar panels to the garage: We are waiting for the school session to end before we start.  The garage is surrounded by a middle school on both sides -- the school was built so close to the houses in the neighborhood, the eating area and class rooms are right over the wall  So when we are in the yard we can hear entire lunch hour conversations with the oh-so-exciting topics of  "Did you see what Brittany was wearing," or " Don't you think so and so is cute"  and so on - typical teenage gab.

We finally started harvesting some tomatoes and beans, hopefully with the warm weather expected this week, they and the other summer crops will start to ripen.

Weather Report:  Warm and sunny.

POSTSCRIPT - To "Glen A Cook" who emailed me on 6/16 asking for the recipe: I was unable to contact you, the email kept coming back "undeliverable".  So, I posted the recipe in the comment box below...

Friday - June 13,  2003                                                            posted 7:40 AM PST  

The "Animal Farm"

TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY? - THAT IS THE QUESTION

From our observations and the comments of others, it appears that almost everyone is experiencing quite an unusual Spring.  Pioneer Woman comments that the blooming cycles are "out of whack" -- couldn't be said better!

We are still busy with putting together a display/activity/presentation for the SLF in Long Beach.  While it is easy to run out and purchase everything to make the booth look great, we are attempting to do it the 'simple way' by scrounging up bits and pieces here and there and using a little innovation to create what we need.   It IS a Simple Living festival after all! Showing up with professional presentation displays similar to those at trade shows just wouldn't fit the picture of what we are trying to do with our Path Project.

However, we can't help but wonder if doing things the "simple way" is really simple!   Creation from recycled materials requires a lot of creativity, time, frustration and a whole lotta "brain power".  It also requires "thinking outside the box". Wouldn't it be easier to slap down a credit card and get everything pre-made?

Then again, even with all the mental exhaustion of trying to create, somewhere deep in our minds we know that this way is much more rewarding. By creating from recycled materials we can educate ourselves in ways that slapping down a credit card could never do. 

So, we are working on a photo presentation display which we salvaged from the school across the street.  The students had a science festival and we rushed over there that night to fish out the cardboard display boards from the dumpster. What luck!   They are flimsy and kind of beat up, so we covered one with old burlap and stapled some thin wood (salvaged from an outdoor privacy screen) around the edge for a finished border.   It looks really nice!   Yesterday, us gals were kept busy printing up photos, graphs, and designing the graphics to put up on the board.  With all the bright colors and nice photographs against the rough background of burlap, the display is looking downright pretty!

Another creation we completed was a banner for our booth made from items we had lying around.  A piece of cedar wood, a box of nails, some twine, and sticks gathered from our hikes in the mountain was all that it took.   With a little bit of money (for the nails), and a bunch of creativity, we made ourselves a sign that is pretty cool!  It came out better than I expected and looks so much better than any vinyl banner that we could buy.  You really got to see it for yourself!   I'll have to post some pictures now won't I?  Well, stick around.... :-)

On another topic - Here's a nice tribute piece on the passing of one of our favorite actors {Jimmy Stewart being another}.  Among his many memorable roles, Gregory Peck will always be fondly remembered by us in his amazing,  talented portrayal of the noble Atticus Finch in 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and General Frank Savage in 'Twelve O' Clock High'.  A class actor and a person whose wholesome and honorable traits often appeared in the roles he played, Gregory Peck will be much missed.   

Weather Report:  The gloom continues!!!!

Wednesday - June 11,  2003                                                            posted 6:51 AM PST  

THE GLOOM CONTINUES

We are going into our second week of dreary "June Gloom" weather.  The past three days we haven't seen the sun at all and even have some measurable drizzle which is quite unusual for this time of year.  Normally, we have overcast mornings with the sun hazily peeking through in late afternoon, but this week we are experiencing a severe case of gloom -- just won't go away.

June in Los Angeles is not the sunny, sprightly affair it is in other parts of the country. "June gloom" we call it as soon as we remember it, which is usually after three or four days of shivering in our hopeful tank tops and muttering things like: "Man, what is with the weather these days?"

Read more at: 'June Gloom': Just think of it as a tax on paradise

Weather Report:  The gloom continues.

Monday - June 09,  2003                                                               posted 6:50 AM PST  

SIMPLE LIVING FESTIVAL

During these next two weeks we'll be working like crazy on our display for the Simple Living Festival that is going to be taking place June 21 from 10am - 3pm in Long Beach at the El Dorado Nature Center.

We are trying to come up with innovative and cheap ways to make up our booth/table display.  Since the event is promoting "simple living" we are trying to use recycled or natural materials, purchasing as little as possible.  DIY is a bit harder and time consuming, it would be so much easier to purchase pre-made display items from an office store or pay someone to make a banner, etc., but in the end DIY is much more rewarding and a valuable learning experience.

Weather Report:  Drizzling.

Friday - June 06,  2003                                                               posted 6:01 AM PST  

The weather has been cool and overcast practically all week {what us So Californians know well as "June Gloom}.  The heat loving crops are in a stage of limbo... but I guess it's better than being baked by the heat.  So no complaints here! 

Here's an insightful posting of a fellow gardener having to deal with the 'Forces of Nature'

"Only with a counteractive force of vigilance and persistence can the gardener find the correct balance that allows him to cooperate with nature for mutual benefit."

Weather Report:  Same as yesterday... overcast, cool, dreary.

Thursday - June 05,  2003                                                               posted 10:39 AM PST  

I'll have to get a group shot of the ducks, chickens and bunnies all together... it's a little animal kingdom!  Trying to make them sit still is another story!

A LITTLE BIT O'COUNTRY...  IN THE CITY

Downright Country! Covering the concrete patio and pathways with hay. 

Yesterday Tim brought us some bales of hay/straw.  We love using it to cover the pathways and concrete patio to keep the glare down in summer.  Not to mention it adds a little touch of country charm to the place and makes great mulch!

This morning I also uploaded some new photos of the "city chicken" coop and run.  Enjoy!

Weather Report:  Misty and overcast in the mornings, clearing in late afternoon.

Tuesday - June 03,  2003                                                               posted 7:50 AM PST  

 Also the peach trees have set less fruit than last year due the extreme fluctuation of temps we had during their critical flowering stage. (Not to mention the problem of the missing bees mentioned in diary entry 5/01 ) Calling all bees far and wide...

And, last but not least...  the Jerusalem Artichokes and Yacons are painfully slow in poking their shoots up through the ground. Come on guys you can do, just a little more, that's good... *sheesh* 

Everyone says that our garden looks beautiful in the pictures.... Really? Hmmm...  Do you think we would actually waste computer gigabytes to take pictures of some of the dying plants we have? *grin*

We are constantly checking the harvest records (dates, pounds, weather, etc)  that we keep and found out that last year we harvested our first crop of tomatoes in late May. So far this year our tomato plants have produced nothing but a measly handful  - that are carefully guarded!

 Everything seems like it's few weeks behind "schedule."

Well, I think that's enough "bad news" for one day. 

Weather Report:  "June Gloom" is here...

Sunday - June 01,  2003                                                               posted 7:00 AM PST  

It's truly one of the many miracles in life to watch a garden grow.  Everyday a new surprise awaits you when you go outside...

Like to learn more about growing salad greens in the summer?  Then check out this informative thread from GardenWeb

Weather Report:  Pleasant.