General Discussions - 2010 - Chapter 29

Marti. If I really raised way more than I can use, we do have farmers markets. Don't really want that much work though. But we also have a Gospel Mission, they really appreciate it if you can give them enough for a meal or two for the down and out or homeless. Myself like you, I have a few people in their late 80s, that we take produce to. I have also a time or two, made extra for a meal and Barb and I would take it to this one ladies home and have lunch or supper with her. She loved the company and of course the meal and extra veggies. There many ways to help as well as have a feel good attitude.
Here I could sell to some of the local grocers. This was something brought by our economic development person. This is state wide, but I'm sure you would need a lot of extra to make it worth while for you to put that much work into your garden.
Be well.
Russ

Thanks Russ. I'm checking with some of the local church groups also. In Calif we had a homeless shelter that I could take extra food to but here in Ky they don't have that. If necessary, I'll just put a sign on the front gate. "Free Veggies." I bet I'll get some response from that!!

Marti

Marti, around here it's the Chruch groups who help out without as many restrictions. There are several "Local missions" that accept donations, and said they'd be happy to have veggies and eggs. You might ask Church members if they are familiar with any current projects.

Marti, I've gotta ask you what are you doing that you are raising so much produce you can't use it all? Is your ground just so fertile? Are you planting so much just to try different plants?

I know Russ can't help himself, but what's your excuse? LOL

Hey has anybody noticed; or do I just think Jeanette is in a teasing mood. LOL
I don't mind though, at least we aren't a crabby bunch. Right????

I am trying several different things. As far as the tomatoes I am trying different one for my Spicy Tomato Jam. If I have extras I don't want them to go to waste so thought I'd give away or sell the extras. I was making and selling homemade jams and jellies in Calif. and have found that there is a market here for it.

Marti

Are you going to share your findings with us? Spicy Tomato jam. I have never had any of that before. Would you use any other than a paste like Romas or San Marzanoes? And then the spicy must come from some kind of peppers. I guess you probably wouldn't want to share your recipe with us if you are going to sell it???

Russ, I can get crabby too. LOL At least I asked Marti why, and now you are going to want her recipe aren't you? You just wanted me to ask.

I am so sorry I am so far away from Ky. I would love to have her extra produce. Let me tell you, with the price of fresh produce now I don't know how those people that get food from the food banks can get any. Cripes, I don't even know how vegetarians can exist. It costs more to eat vegetables than meat etc.

OK Russ, I am getting off of my soap box now.

Tell Barb hi for me and you go shovel snow.

Russ alreay has my recipe for Spicy Tomato Jam. We did some trading for it. IT is a sweet spicy flavor. Comes from cinnamon, allspice, cloves. I prefer it on hot buttermilk bisquits, pancakes, french toast or waffles. Makes a great spread for them. Do not like it on plain bread or with peanut butter. ONLY eat Strawberry jam on peanut butter.

I will trade the recipe for things I want. The recipe is very old. Other wise, I do plan on selling the jams and jellies.

Marti

Ha Ha Ha see how ya R! Jnette
Don't think I need to shovel snow today, even though we didn't quite get up to 40 today, it was above freezing an I was sinking in mud in the path to the goat pen. The rest of the drift is still there but has been shrinking. Then we got some rain today which really helped. Didn't really want the hail we got with it though. even if it wasn't big enough to cause any damage.
I'll just have to be envious of your 50 degree weather.

Marti; If you get enough jams and jellies ahead. You might try checking with an auctioneer, I've seen a lot of people selling breads and sandwiches at farm sales. Jelly & jams could go right along with that.
Maybe that's what I should be doing. I Make all kinds of jellies too. Mostly to give to the kids and grand kids for Christmas. Also since ( Sara Lee )
bought out ( Old Home ) The price of bread nearly doubled, so I'm back to baking breads now. Gives me something to keep my hands busy. It had been a lot of years gone by since I made homemade bread as a youngster. I had to make a couple errors before I got it right again. But I know I could sell it now but don't want to horn in on the gal that has been doing it around here. Her husband and I worked together, for a delivery service.

Marti I just thought of another jelly you could probably make. You probably have wild persimmons growing in fence lines. There were in Missouri anyway. we lived there for 6 years. I'm trying to get a couple of the trees started here. Not many varieties will grow here, so I am limited there.

So Russ, did you make some of Marti's tomato jam? If so, how was it? Worth trading something for the recipe? Not sure what she wants. What was it worth to you?

If you can figure a way to get it to me fresh Russ I will buy some bread from you. LOL, no preservatives now.



edited to add: At a reasonable cost.

This message was edited Mar 6, 2010 6:59 PM

Traded moon & stars. Water melon seeds that is. I hope Marti likes water melon as that was one that produced rather well I had to give some away.
I also made water melon rind pickles. Still munching on some of those once in a while.
I didn't get enough tomatoes this last season to do much of anything. Although I did make some juice and a little tomato sauce. That was my bad year, trying to take care of my head. Not enough weeding or other care.
Hope nothing gets in the way this year.
No there wouldn't be any preservatives. other than a half tsp of salt. I may try it without and see how it turns out.
I don't make it the conventional way, with all the kneading. I just cut back on some of the flour. It is a little sticky to handle but it is very light when done. I will send you my recipe so you can try it. It really isn't hard to make.

Ok, but it better be soon 'cause I am going to start planting tomato, petunia, etc. seeds this week. I got my shelving set up, now Bob has to go down to the basement and bring up the lights for it and I'm on my way.

It was 54 today, and gorgeous. I'm crowing, but we still could get a good snow storm. It just wouldn't stick around. The snow that is.

I'll try e mailing it. I have to kind of pick my brain as to tell the consistency of the batter before I let it rise a couple times. Need to hit the sack now though.
Russ.

Jnette



Happy Birthday



Tubby

Well thank you Tubby!!!

How are you doing? Your wife said you had a pretty rough time. I sure hope you are doing better now.

Take care and don't rush it.

Jeanette

For Russ and those others that may make homemade bread, check out this website:

http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/

I have not purchased their books, but I hear that it is a simple process and very quick (5 min obviously does not include baking time) and is very tasty. Better that bread machines, which I have been unsuccessful at.

Jnette,

What have you got to trade? I open to discussion. Of course, if you go check your dmail, you might have a surprise waiting for you.

Marti

I also am planting Elderberry bushes for my YUMMY Elderberry Jelly. I'm almost out and I will be crying soon.

I get all MENTALLY jazzed and ready to do so many things after reading everyone's entries, like the jam making. Follow through is a whole other subject. Many moons ago, in my twenties and in a tiny apt kitchen I made sweet and yeast breads and jams and mustards and other such delicacies. I did not have a garden, but could buy from farm stands occasionally. They were generally for Christmas gifts i baskets. Cut to current time and I have a nice large kitchen and all sorts of kitchen equipment and only thoughts of what I could do, with no followthrough.

I am hoping I get a much crop this year - but almost anything would be better that my first attempts the last 2 years. Tomato jam might be a possibility in the canning arena as I do not care for canned veggies and fruit. Frozen would be what I'd do. Speaking of fruit, I picked up a raspberry and blueberry bush to plant from WalMart. Then I noticed that the nursery has them for less, go figure. Wonder if they are better quality and if I should return the first ones. The nursery also has boysenberry and blackberry (mouth watering). Anyone have experience with the vine berries? I heard raspberries can become invasive - I would like that and have the room for that.

qg, I suppose anything can become invasive depending on your area and weather and also how you tend to them. In the Seattle area blackberries are invasive. Whereas I, in the same state but 400 miles away, it is colder and drier, I can't keep them alive. I had an awful time with them in Seattle.

So, that is why I said all of the above being factors in the reason for "invasive".

WalMart's berries vs the nursery? They are probably different varieties. Do a little research. One thing to keep in mind, I believe WalMart, like all big corporations, have purchasing agents in one part of the country and they purchase for all of their stores from there. Meaning that they probably do not buy specific to your area.

qg; 5 min prep time. that is about it for mine too with the exception you have to let it raise. That is where the most time is consumed. Although My oven is electric and its light offers enough heat to help speed up the raising process I'm still looking at a couple hours. as I let it double is size twice in in the mixing bowl and using the mixing spoon fold it down in the bowl both times. Here is the tough and messy part. since I cut the flour by a cup, it is still sticky and and very elastic. Have to divide the batter in half and turn it into 2 greased loaf pans. Then put it back in the oven to raise in the pans until it raises enough to be slightly above the edges of the pans. before turning on the oven. So I would guess the total time would be 2 - 2-1/2 hrs.
Being winter time and retired, I have the time and don't mind. Of course Barb and I both love it and it don't last as long as a duh flat tasteless, loaf from the store. Not too good for cutting down on breads in a diet but we can cut back elsewhere, Right?
Jeanette I forgot to mention putting a pan of water in the oven while baking bread. Makes the top crust softer. Also be very careful not to bump or try removing the pan of water until it has cooled, as the pan sides above the water level are hotter than the water and can suddenly start boiling over.

edited to say
Happy Birthday Jeanette

This message was edited Mar 7, 2010 3:03 PM

Hey, Thanks so much for the happy happy Russ. I do try to forget them now tho. LOL What the heck's one more right?

Also, thanks for the pointer on the waterbath which is what I might have had if you hadn't told me.

Yeah whats another birthday? They announced mine at church this morning. Of course they sang happy birthday too. It's actually on Tuesday but no church then, lol I fibbed a little turned the numbers around an said I was 37, that brought a cheerful laughter. Somebody come up with 21 and holding.

Gosh Russ, you are older than I am. Sure glad to find someone who is. LOL. Well happy birthday to you too. Must have been a good year. Month?

I am singing to you. What? You can't hear me??

Just a little hard of hearing. . . .Whats that you say???

Let's start Chapter 30 in honor of Jeanette's b-day!!! :-)

Here's the link: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1079961/

Not much gardening going to be getting done here for a while
OUCH!!!!!

I had major surgery on Thursday and my dad gum Strawberries didn't get here before the sugery, so my DSH has offered to plant them for me when they come.

Yikes!! It seems things always happen, when there is something important to do or get done hope the same care will be given so they will take off and grow.

we will be praying for your recovery, may it be a quick recovery. Lord knows we have enough trouble getting things done without being laid up. Even though he does like it when we take the time and thank him for even the little things. And your strawberries will still get planted.
Get well "SOON"
Russ

Hope your arm heals up nicely!!!

Chapter 30 is up and running.

Let's move there:

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1079961/

This message was edited Mar 8, 2010 8:43 AM