Another week is gone. July is almost gone. Where is the year going?! We're still waiting for rain, as are many. It was really heart rending to notice that a neighboring farmer is already feeding hay to his cattle since his pasture is worthless. Work has been work this week- and I work tomorrow. Time is ticking down on when Justine leaves for college and I've got lots to do around the homestead. If it's no rest for the wicked I must have been really, really bad!
But it has been a productive time here. I have been busy, busy, busy and it's time for my Independence Days Challenge update.
Plant something- not a thing- I've been trying to keep things alive that I've got out there. I really need to get my little fall plants into the ground but I don't dare until the weather moderates a little, at least the heat. (although it was only 87 today)
Harvest something- tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, cucumbers, potatoes, basil, thyme.
Preserve something- made two batches of peach jam- one spiced, one plain. Froze a little left over sweet corn and I've got the first 5 pints of diced tomatoes going in the canner right now. And I'm drying the tomato skins to make tomato powder, a trick I just learned here.
Waste not- The usual recycling and such. Brought home some more icky produce from work for the chickens. And I think that the tomato skin powder is an experiment in wasting not- although the chickens may not agree with me.
Want not- Got a bunch more peaches before the sale ended early this week. I'm making a shopping list for the Stringtown Grocery (the Amish bulk food store) since I ran out of both whole wheat and 7 grain flour tonight and I'm nearly out of bulk pectin. I think Justine and I will make a trip to Kalona on Monday which is my day off.
Eat the food- sweet corn, tomatoes and cucumbers, grass fed beef.
Build community food systems- Sweet corn and a melon from local farmers. Eggs to work.
Skill up- Learning to make tomato powder.
Not a bad week, all told.
Oh my gosh, that tomato skin thing is quite a good idea! I will have to try it. Th
ReplyDeleteBesides, e chickens can still get the seedy bits and the smush from sieving tomato sauce, ha. Thanks for passing that idea on!
Isn't it the coolest idea ever!? I just had to try it. I'm wondering if it would work for pizza sauce. I can never seem to get paste thick enough without burning it.
Deleteoh boy ,now I have to get a food dehydrator! that tomato thing sounds like a great idea
ReplyDeleteWhat? no food dehydrator? however do you live without one? You could probably dry them in a very slow oven. My Mom used to dry apple slices in the oven years ago.
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