Memorial Day

 

Hello, friends.  Last week, I harvested mint to dry, which, along with mint I potted, will be given as a gift next month.  Also harvested were asparagus, peas, mulberries and lambs quarter.  Peas were blanched and frozen.  I baked sweet potatoes in the toaster oven, instead of the regular propane oven, so the energy was free, with our solar.  We've been enjoying lots of salads with our lettuce.  Sadly, the recently planted round of lettuce was coming up nicely, until the pill bugs ate them off.  I also found one chewing off a tromboncino seedling,  which had to be replanted.

I harvested rose petals, and started a glycerite.  I harvested purslane for pesto, and also to dry and add to the greens mix.  If you're not familiar with purslane, here's some info on the site I got the purslane pistachio pesto recipe from.  "Regardless of what one calls it, purslane contains more omega 3 fatty acids than any other plant source in the solar system, and an extraordinary amount for a plant, some 8.5 mg for every gram of weight. It has vitamin A, B, C and E — six times more E than spinach — beta carotene — seven times more of that than carrots — magnesium, calcium, potassium, folate, lithium — keep you sane — iron and is 2.5% protein.

Two pigments, one in the leaves and one in the yellow blossoms, have been proven anti-mutagenic in lab studies, meaning they help keep human cells from mutating, which is how cancer gets started. And you get all that for about 15 calories per 100 gram (three ounce) serving. As a mild diuretic, it might even lower your blood pressure as well."

A few carrots were harvested.  The smaller carrot tops and tiny carrots were dehydrated for a jar of mixed vegetables, along with some of the purslane.  I learned of that idea from a post by A Working Pantry, on Let Nothing Go To Waste.  Larger carrot top stems and carrots past their prime went into the broth bag.  The Omega juicer  MM recommends was on sale for 20% off.  I decided to look on Marketplace, and found a like new one locally for $200 (it was used twice), which retail for $360.  This one is a higher end model, and has pasta and breadstick attachments, and will make nut butters and nut milks.  The pulp it sends out is drier than the juicer I'd been using, which means it will produce more juice, stretch produce just a bit farther, and pay for itself over time.

Every year, mid-spring, when the oak tassels are falling, our rainwater tanks get stinky, and the water turns black, from all the tannins.  Though there is an initial flushing system, along with three filters before entering the house, the tassels break down into such tiny pieces that they end up in the tanks.  Even with then going through the filters, the damage has been done while sitting in the tanks.  Our drinking water is on an entirely different system, and thankfully doesn't do this, but all our bathing and washing is done with this water, which is pretty darn unpleasant.  We both researched it, and J thought about it, then came up with a system we installed this week.  It aerates the water in the tanks, and filters it as well.  We just finished it today, and haven't had a chance to see how well it's working yet, but I'll let you know next post.

J harvested the garlic on Sunday, all but a few heads that I harvested earlier in the week.  I enjoyed watching The Book Thief via Netflix.  I'd read the book previously, and thought they did a good job with the movie.  I also watched Dear Evan Hansen, which I loved.  I can imagine how wonderful it must be on stage.  I was in Lowes twice during the week, and found a few marked down plants.  Two geraniums ($4), a lantana, and an another unusual geranium  "Vancouver Centennial" with two-toned leaves, ($2 ea.) were purchased.  On Friday and Saturday, I worked in a pottery gallery.  I brought water and lunch, brought soap to wrap, and worked a bit on deleting emails (never enough time to work on my inbox!).  I read the juicer manual, finished one book, and began Cloud Cuckoo Land, which has been interesting so far.  We're planning on grilling for Memorial Day, and also bought 2 huge watermelons for $3.99 ea. and cherries for $2.99/lb at Food Lion.  May you enjoy your day, however you spend it.