Random Ramblings

Are We Worthy? Thoughts on Bears Ears

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I want to shout “Yes, this nation IS worthy.” But are we?

Teddy Roosevelt quote, my Grand Canyon picture

In 2012, the husband and I took a fabulous road trip through Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon among other places. The beauty and cultural significance of this part of our country cannot be overstated.

This is not a political post. Instead, it’s an awareness post. News comes at a fast and furious pace these days. It’s not always easy to keep up nor is it always to get to the heart of the matter. I’ve spent some time reading about Bears Ears over the past week and have found a couple of resources that resonated with me personally.

So, if you want to read more about Bears Ears and what the recent decision could mean, check out this article. Also, check out The Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition if you want to help Native American tribes.

Random Ramblings

What Caught My Eye: Misplaced Monarchs and Collapsing Ecosystems

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It’s a cold and gray day here in Cincinnati. After a lovely breakfast with a great friend, I headed outside to fill up the bird feeders, pull up more tomato plants, check my fall crops, and do a few other garden chores.

But I’ve spent most of the day inside, reading and catching up on blog posts and other articles I’ve been meaning to read. Here are a few interesting articles that caught my eye:

Misplaced monarchs: Clusters of butterflies stuck up north | Phys.org

Have you heard about this large population of Monarch butterflies that should be in Mexico by now? They’re not really misplaced; they’re just in the wrong place. It’s an interesting situation and this article provides a lot of great information about what may be happening.

A giant insect ecosystem is collapsing due to humans | The Guardian

I can’t say the title of this article surprised me. But the stats (staggering numbers) in the article are eye-opening. I like to give humans the benefit of the doubt but it’s hard at times.

Why Insect Gardens Are About to Become the Biggest Trend in Landscaping | Country Living

Gardens should be all-inclusive, too. I’m all for spotting bees and butterflies in the garden. But I also check the garden for spiders, green lacewings, lady bugs, and other beneficial insects. Check in with me next spring and I’ll let you know how my insect garden plans are shaping up. Because I need yet one more garden project (that’s sarcasm, folks).

Random Ramblings

Small Batch Preserving

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This past weekend, I harvested about 5 pounds of tomatoes, 3 or so cups of lima beans, and a whole bunch of green beans.

Too much to eat but not enough to can.

What do I do when this happens?

Preserve in small batches! Small-batch preserving is a great way to make sure the veggies I’ve worked so hard to grow don’t go to waste.

Here’s how I preserve lima beans, tomatoes, and green beans—all in small batches.

Small batch preserving: tomatoes, lima beans, green beans

Lima Beans

Lima beans are a lesson in patience every year. I always expect them to be ready earlier than they are and I most definitely have to get in my zone when it comes to shelling them.

I’m not really complaining because both my husband and I love lima beans. It’s worth the lesson!

I have to admit I’ve never canned lima beans—I always freeze them. Here’s the nifty way I do it because there’s no blanching required. Yay!

Tomatoes

I love slow roasting and freezing tomatoes. However, I don’t always want to take the time or heat up the kitchen. In the past, I’ve frozen whole tomatoes but they usually just hung out in the freezer for way too long.

Today, I decided to stew and freeze the tomatoes. Could not be any easier and I’m looking forward to using these tomatoes in soups and stews this winter.

Green Beans

At last count, I have 12 pints of canned green beans. That might not be enough for some but it’s a good start for my husband and me.

After this weekend’s bean harvest, I didn’t feel like canning again and decided to freeze the green beans, which I usually blanch.

However, sometimes I cook the beans with garlic and black pepper for 30 minutes or so.

After I cook the beans, I fill a jar with them, add cooking liquid, let them cool, pop on a lid, and then pop them in the freezer. They’ll be great in soups and stews along with the tomatoes.

A Note About Containers

I try to stay away from one-time use plastic (like freezer bags, etc.). While it’s not always possible, I’ve been happily freezing in both Ball freezer jars (yes, I know they’re plastic but they’re reusable) and Ball wide mouth mason jars.

Learn how to freeze food in mason jars.

Random Ramblings

My Religion Is Nature

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My Religion is Nature Oliver Sacks Quote | Horseradish & Honey

Nature—and everything it encompasses—IS my religion. So, yes, I feel responsible for helping Mother Earth.

While I don’t think my generation or the next one or the one after that can fix all the wrongs we’ve done to Mother Earth, I do think that my generation and the next and the next must all do our part to help.

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Random Ramblings

Blooming Bog Bean

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In addition to our lovely yard and garden, my husband and I also have a decent-sized koi pond. Right now, we have two big fish and a number of baby koi. We used to have six big fish but, over the last fall and winter, two died and two disappeared. Say what you want, but the fish have different “personalities” and, while I’m not exactly attached to them, it is sad when they die/disappear. Darcy, who was my favorite, is buried in the garden—NOT the vegetable garden—so he’s giving back in a way.

Blooming Bog Bean | Horseradish & Honey

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