tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post1568866441925153775..comments2024-03-28T19:35:24.365-07:00Comments on Rural Revolution: Friday RoundupPatrice Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06012022335047974670noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-40878096077806032592015-04-29T08:59:05.620-07:002015-04-29T08:59:05.620-07:00Ditto! got 20 jars made. 40 more to go!Ditto! got 20 jars made. 40 more to go!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-77231182913969387442015-04-28T18:59:31.772-07:002015-04-28T18:59:31.772-07:00I wish I lived closer too, I'm a transplant to...I wish I lived closer too, I'm a transplant to the state of KS, a bit far to go for classes. I will keep your timer idea in mind, and hunt for one, that and get my very old pressure canner out of the garage, and to someone that can make sure it is working properly. THANKS!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-50863308072830557372015-04-28T13:51:53.030-07:002015-04-28T13:51:53.030-07:00I have been caning my pinto beans dry for years, j...I have been caning my pinto beans dry for years, just fill the jars 1/3 full of beans and add filtered water, put in the caner for 90 min. They are ready to make into refried beans when every I want. Dee in the South WestAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-53481391237668401692015-04-28T09:43:40.338-07:002015-04-28T09:43:40.338-07:00For several years I have run my CPAP on a small of...For several years I have run my CPAP on a small off-grid solar electric system. It has been a great comfort to know that I am not dependent on the grid (or fuel for a generator) for power for this essential to my life device. <br /><br />Recently I got an improved and updated CPAP which has been a big improvement, except that it needs a lot more power. This week I have at long last been able to update the solar system to a lot more power so I once again have enough power for my CPAP each night without charging the batteries from the grid.<br /><br />Next step will be a off-grid solar system that will power our refrigerator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-60625245388331269802015-04-28T08:08:03.904-07:002015-04-28T08:08:03.904-07:00Oh, and here's a secret the Extension classes ...Oh, and here's a secret the Extension classes may not cover: when canning, ALWAYS have one of those little clip-on kitchen timers attached to your collar, to go off every five minutes and remind you to check the pressure. The biggest danger in pressure canning is forgetting to keep an eye on the pressure.<br /><br />- PatricePatrice Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06012022335047974670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-62643641495387821752015-04-28T08:06:24.421-07:002015-04-28T08:06:24.421-07:00Sure wish you were local, I love to teach pressure...Sure wish you were local, I love to teach pressure canning. I'm simmering the rest of the pintos as I type this and will can them this afternoon.<br /><br />Once you learn the art of pressure canning, you'll never look back.<br /><br />- PatricePatrice Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06012022335047974670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-42336051381014190292015-04-28T06:47:16.124-07:002015-04-28T06:47:16.124-07:00Sounds like a good trade, neighbor has cow and you...Sounds like a good trade, neighbor has cow and you have bees. Ha Ha..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-84636587600798758212015-04-27T20:44:23.569-07:002015-04-27T20:44:23.569-07:00I called our local county extension office today, ...I called our local county extension office today, and signed up for their class in pressure canning, water bath canning, dehydrating and freezing. In fact I signed up for the same class, twice! One is in June and one is in July. I figure as afraid of pressure canning as I am, two classes couldn't hurt. I thought it was a reasonable price, 30.00 per class, from 9am to 4pm, with lunch thrown in. I want to learn how to can so badly, would y'all mind sending a few prayers my way? TIAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-56670423193183098362015-04-27T13:00:34.039-07:002015-04-27T13:00:34.039-07:00We have had deer eating tomato vines! ?? A first ...We have had deer eating tomato vines! ?? A first in over 50 years. Have lost our corn to raccoons and squirrels, and believe it or not, lost 2 years of cantaloupes and watermelons to FOX! Gophers took down our okra, also a first. We've lost our will to garden for a while, other than onions, garlic and sage.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-11562482593486488702015-04-27T12:51:52.566-07:002015-04-27T12:51:52.566-07:00I also saw the flow hive information. My neighbor...I also saw the flow hive information. My neighbors would have a cow if I invited bees and bats to my yard, but I sure would like to have both.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-53235404995973509242015-04-27T04:59:18.299-07:002015-04-27T04:59:18.299-07:00Flow Hive? Neat idea, however I'm one that lik...Flow Hive? Neat idea, however I'm one that likes having bees wax candles, lip balm, royal jelly, bee pollen and many other things that can made or used from the hive. I don't think it's a good idea to let a hive get lazy and with this new invention that's just will happen as the bees don't need to make comb, they reuse their cappings over and over. Just like my Angels, I don't let them get lazy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-57770546658260663352015-04-27T03:42:49.952-07:002015-04-27T03:42:49.952-07:00I quite agree with trying this method. A sauce can...I quite agree with trying this method. A sauce can be added as part of the liquid total. Meat can also be added. Chicken, white beans, green Chile sauce and a bit of water becomes a jar of green chicken Chile. Tweak as desired with salt and spices; serve with sour cream.merryannnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-63191252699786618292015-04-25T15:46:38.337-07:002015-04-25T15:46:38.337-07:00We have been working hard around here. We moved th...We have been working hard around here. We moved the chicken coup and pen, cleaned out all the manure and gave them a fresh start. Our neighbors have a horse barn where they board. The previous occupants left behind piles of old fence material which they graciously let us have. So we have been building raised beds out of it and filling them with what else but old composted horse manure and chicken manure. We have planted beets, peas, kale, chard, onions and one bed of potatoes outside... Oh and some cabbage and broccoli. Inside we have started a bunch of hard squashes, tomatoes and peppers. We are not out of the woods for frost yet though. So we moved our greenhouses(we use them for the chickens in the winter) and put stuff in them that needed transplanting. Our sons 6 baby chicks got moved to our outside chick accommodations(fiberglass truck caps) and we purchased 6 barred rocks and 6 Rhode island reds chicks to keep our flock laying. We are trying desperately to grow many storage veggies this year like hard squash, potatoes and onions since we use so many. This week we have fences to work on because mid may we are getting sheep(read lamb), and a dairy goat hopefully. June we should be getting our freedom rangers and pigs. So much to do yet. We are also working inside on cleaning out/simplifying/organizing. I'm so ready for spring.<br /><br />Did you ever name your good Friday calf or did I miss it? Also... have you ever thought about raising pigs(why/why not)? <br /><br />Learning in NY<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-31016783982917248472015-04-25T15:02:49.854-07:002015-04-25T15:02:49.854-07:00Ok....I'll get busy. I used up my last jar of...Ok....I'll get busy. I used up my last jar of seasoned pintos last week. I'll get to sorting and soaking tonight. The husband likes these so well, I can't slip a store bought can past him without him saying something. <br /><br />I'll have to watch a store that opened up here for bags of veggies like yours. Its some sort of over stock, close sell by date store. I bought a 5# bag of Ore Ida tater tots for $3. It was packaged in a brown bag, maybe for restaurant or food service. I'll bet they will get in some big bags of veggies. mdoe37https://www.blogger.com/profile/03019276985594142350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-81818206256067404262015-04-25T11:41:26.090-07:002015-04-25T11:41:26.090-07:00We don't keep bees, but I saw the most amazing...We don't keep bees, but I saw the most amazing innovation in bee hives recently. I think it's called the flow hive - made me want to keep bees, just because it looks so easy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-36550809577914938452015-04-25T11:08:02.867-07:002015-04-25T11:08:02.867-07:00Hey, that is quite pertinent since north Idaho had...Hey, that is quite pertinent since north Idaho had 3 on Thursday evening: 4.1, 4.2 (that brought us all out of bed) and a 3.3. Did not feel the other two but I made a beeline for my pantry. We just moved to north Idaho last year and my pantry hasn't been "finished" with extra shelving and a board to hold the jars in. I checked the pantry and then son and I checked live stock (that all wanted out, as did the neighbors). All was well but it was definitely a wake up call to get the extra shelving and edging installed. <br />sidetracksusieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-31184789573347965262015-04-25T06:35:21.934-07:002015-04-25T06:35:21.934-07:00You might add a bit of salt to your jars, usually ...You might add a bit of salt to your jars, usually 1/2 teaspoon for pints (except to fruit, of course). Salt in this case is a flavor-enhancer, not a preservative. But the fact remains, exposing foods to high heat will, to some extent, alter the flavor. Try using your canned foods as part of a larger dish, i.e. mix your canned veggies with rice and a bit of meat and some spices, etc.<br /><br />- PatricePatrice Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06012022335047974670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-30233537177782310472015-04-25T05:16:18.627-07:002015-04-25T05:16:18.627-07:00Question for you: there are some things I can tha...Question for you: there are some things I can that really taste great, even over time... like chicken, beef, tomato sauce.... but most everything else I have canned turned out like flavorless mush.... like beans, carrots, potatoes, peas, etc.... any suggestions?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09586330044953097637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-57793437978633569132015-04-25T05:03:37.350-07:002015-04-25T05:03:37.350-07:00Good morning, most swarm traps are just crude boxe...Good morning, most swarm traps are just crude boxes that hold at least 5 deep hive frames. But because I plan on using my catch boxes for rearing queens and splitting my established hives in the future, I built complete hive nucs. Bees are attracted to lemon grass oil, a little wiped on inside of entrance and some queen pheromone if have some, hang the box about 8 feet high in a tree along a field edge and wait. Swarm season is usually late April thru June depending on weather. Bees swarm when they feel over crowded. Two reasons I wish to catch my own, 1 to buy them it's a minimum of 140.00 and your getting bees from who knows where and possibly all their problems too, 2 I'm actively seeking bees that have been living in hollow trees for years. My thought on the latter is these bees are Feral and have learned to deal with all the problems that haunt our honeybee colonies. Check out Michiganbees.org the beekeepers workshop Steve Tillman, I used his plans except for the joinery, I box jointed mine. Hope this helps, Good Luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-83714114850216332262015-04-24T17:47:22.319-07:002015-04-24T17:47:22.319-07:00There's actually a great book with recipes for...There's actually a great book with recipes for canning dried beans: I can can dried beans!! by Jennifer Shambrook. I can't remember where I came across it, but I ordered it and really had good luck with it, though I haven't tried all the recipes. Mostly I can beans for chili and soups.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-44147372589463236022015-04-24T17:43:45.310-07:002015-04-24T17:43:45.310-07:00Tattler has actually addressed this on their websi...Tattler has actually addressed this on their website with a video explaining the process. Essentially, while you put the band on rather loosely at the start of processing, when you remove the jar from the canner at the end of the processing time, you then cinch down the band tightly before the jar cools. Since I've started doing that I haven't had any failures. I did invest in a couple of "OveGloves" to make it easier to do this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-42041628367551706832015-04-24T17:14:19.911-07:002015-04-24T17:14:19.911-07:00Great post, Patrice.Great post, Patrice.Glendanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-35012063648117993082015-04-24T17:07:52.186-07:002015-04-24T17:07:52.186-07:00last weekend i did a little clening of the freezer...last weekend i did a little clening of the freezer and found some beef that had been in there about 6 months...so it got canned...6 quarts of rump roast..there was also a half off ham shoulder that made 5 quarts...one failed to seal, so 4 went on the shelf...a total of 0 quarts of meat added to long term preps...<br /><br />as for the garden...it's easier to show you them tell you...<br /><br />http://xtronsgarden.blogspot.com/?view=classic<br /><br />i try to keep a blog of the garden...it's easier than keeping a journal and typing the same info on posts like this and others<br /><br />tomorrow i hope to put out more cabbage and tomatos, plant beets, lettus, and spinich...weather permitting.<br /><br />God bless you all and keep your hands in the dirtxtronnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-27583353198124649202015-04-24T16:40:38.659-07:002015-04-24T16:40:38.659-07:00I totally love that you did this. What a great ide...I totally love that you did this. What a great idea. <br /><br />Just MeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-62152973186158474142015-04-24T16:33:38.053-07:002015-04-24T16:33:38.053-07:00It's always so fun when the readers contribute...It's always so fun when the readers contribute!<br /><br />My own Friday Roundup:<br /><br />Got two new fruit trees delivered this week. Heeled them in. Too wet to plant yet.<br /><br />Worked on the spring garden.<br /><br />Cleaned up the asparagus bed.<br /><br />Cursed the deer for ravaging my rhubarb. (The leaves are supposed to be poisonous. What the!?) Totally covered now. Will have to wait another year for my first crop. Live and learn. When the deer are hungry, all bets are off.<br /><br />Just Me<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com