Monthly Archives: October 2009
Darning socks.
Well, it’s now come to darning socks. I’ve been throwing every pair of socks that develops a hole onto a big pile in the basement. Now I want to wear them, especially the wool ones. Sandal season is over. I … Continue reading
Sauerkraut: new method a success
A couple weeks ago we bought a huge cabbage at the farmer’s market. Usually we keep our ferments covered tightly, opening the jars about twice a day to let out accumulated pressure. Because this was such large batch of ‘kraut, … Continue reading
Filed under Cooking and baking, Practical, Yeast/Fermentation
Fall happenings
Couple of random things going on today. First: Adam made a very local pie: he used raspberries and apples right from our yard (via the freezer for several weeks). It is with great sadness that I report we have now … Continue reading
Filed under Practical
Book review: Root Cellaring
Root Cellaring The Simple No-Processing Way to Store Fruits and Vegetables By Mike & Nancy Bubel Note: the subtitle of the newer editions is Natural Cold Storage of Fruits and Vegetables. I got the 1971 hardcover edition from the library, … Continue reading
Filed under Gardening, Practical, Theoretical, US Food Production, Yeast/Fermentation
Different fermentation method
We’re making a new batch of sauerkraut right now, and it’s our biggest batch ever: 5.5 quarts. My normal method, while the kraut is fermenting, is to keep the jar tightly sealed, and open it about twice a day and … Continue reading
Filed under Nutrition, Practical, Yeast/Fermentation
Sauerrüben
Continuing down the path towards becoming a total fermentation maniac, I tried a new one this week: sauerrüben. It’s just like sauerkraut, except it’s made with turnips instead of cabbage. I think I finally realized the whole purpose and meaning … Continue reading
Filed under Cooking and baking, Nutrition, Practical, Yeast/Fermentation
Parsnips
Parsnip harvest time today, and a beautiful 60 degree day it was, with sunshine. You can’t pull parsnips out like you do with carrots; they are so big that the top would break off before you could pull the whole … Continue reading
Making permaculture plans (but not for Nigel)
I have been so inspired by the book Edible Forest Gardens (by Dave Jacke & Eric Toensmeier) that I’ve been sketching and brainstorming about what we could do with our backyard, now that we’ve eliminated our problematic trees. We’re nowhere … Continue reading
Filed under Community planning, Gardening, Practical, Theoretical
Adam’s bike shop
Well, necessity has bred even more creativity around here. Adam has spent most evenings the past couple months teaching himself how to put bikes together. My 1980 Schwinn Worldsport keeps breaking down in one way or another, so he’s been … Continue reading
Filed under Practical, Water/energy efficiency
Bicycle safety: the bottom line
When it comes to bike commuting, there is a lot of really great advice out there about how to stay safe. But there is one simple way to boil that all down, and greatly increase your safety: Design a bike … Continue reading
Filed under Community planning, Theoretical
