Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Garlic Sprouts


We have been having such incredibly warm weather that my garlic is beginning to sprout. I have to tell you, it does my heart good to see something green growing as the rest of Mother Nature begins to go to sleep. I just hope the bed of oak leaves keep all the baby garlic warm this year. Puts me in a very PINK mood. :))

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Red Pepper Flakes

I am crushing the red pepper into flakes today using my mortar and pestle. My window looks so naked without all of them hanging over the sink.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

FreeCycle


Today my eighty-five plus year old neighbor, Mr. Bob Hench took me in his old pick-up truck to the neighboring community of Dillsburg to pick up some furniture for daughter number 3. (I have to tell you about the farm field he mentioned where they picked up the airmail when he was in his twenty's!) I heard about the giveaway from the online forum, FreeCycle. You probably have one in your online community and if not, START ONE! Basically, the concept is to Reuse, Reduce, Recycle. Here is what they say to describe the concept:

The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,852 groups with 6,691,000 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer (them's good people). Membership is free.

You are not supposed to sell what you get, and you must give your junk away in equal or more amounts than what you get. Pretty amazing. You have to have a yahoo email address, which is easy and join a yahoo freecycle group. It is easy to sign-up online, then just wait for the emails for free stuff, and clean out your basement and attic by offering junk that people come by your house to pick up. Kind of fun, to tell you the truth.

A fellow FreeCycler, Bob P. was generous enough to give us two end tables, three lamps, and a queen size bed headboard and footboard which are in great shape. Plus the added bonus was they are "retro", which the mimers (aka daughter number 3) loves. She is very supportive of the whole *Reduce*Reuse*Recycle* concept, which is fantastic for a nineteen year old and bodes well for our future generations.

I have given some stuff away...and am looking forward to cleaning out some more. Sure makes sense, rather than just bagging it for the trash man. Thanks to both Bobs!!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Road Trip into Apple Country


The 'Sisters in Spirit' went for a nice sojourn to apple country today. What a beautiful ride and day! We had lunch at Pomona's in Biglerville, went to the country store and stopped off at Hollabaugh's for apples on the way home. Perfect day...except I forgot the camera. Here is the only picture to document the day...a bag of a wide variety of apples in the fridge to soon be made into applesauce. I really have to go back to take pictures of the proprietress of the country store in downtown Biglerville. What a hoot!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Mystery Tree


I really like this tree in my neighbors back yard as it reminds me of one of my favorite trees in Carlisle. My friend Laura has a tree next to their front door, and reminds me of this one. It has a very rough trunk. We don't know what it is. Anyone want to take a guess? I wonder if I can start a few seedlings from these pods...I will post what happens when I do.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Get Well Cookies


I made some macaroon cookies dipped in chocolate from a recipe from the Barefoot Contessa Cookbook. They are going to Cincinnati to my brother who is not feeling well. Their richness should provide some healing powers, I hope.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Pumpkin Seed Saving


When I spread out the Rouge Vif D'Etampes seeds to dry them, I noticed some had already begun to sprout while still inside the pumpkin. Kind of cool.