No, I meant by my work on the deck, cleaning off all the things that had to go to the compost pile etc. That kind of work. Can't believe all the stuff I had out there. One deck I had 5 20 gallon tubs of compost pile clippings. Mashed down.
I think the rhubarb would be best picked and frozen if it has been growing for quite a while. The older it is the tougher it will be. When I had it I cut it up in 1 1/2" pieces and froze it in amounts for whatever I wanted to make. Like pie, cake, or whatever. Or just freeze it in quart freezer bags. You know if you freeze it on cookie sheets and then put it in gallon bags you can pour out the amount you want. Just like berries. That's how I do all my berries.
Jeanette
General Discussions 2008 - Chapter 25
Jeanette, my rhubarb will be eaten before it makes it into the freezer! This is only the first season that its pickable, and this will only be my second picking. Both plants will give enough for one pie, so the leaves are young. Freezing is a good idea for when I have more than I can pick at once. So I should pick what I want, and leave the plants to make their flowers?
What happens to your compost piles in winter? Do they freeze? The poor worms!
Lena
Lena, I don't think you want your rhubarb to bloom.
Russ, help Lena with her rhubarb.
Lena, yes the compost piles freeze, but the worms go down deep enough that they don't freeze. At least that is my understanding. I have never gone out and chipped the compost away looking for worms.
Jeanette
Gee Wizz; I have a lot of catching up to do.
I checked toe computer a few times, and didn't see any messages.
Then finally today, I was just going to do some teasing. And ask yall to come over and help.
I guess somehow the computer forgot to tell me of any messages coming in. I just though everyone was just as busy as I was, so I didn't check any further. Oh Well.
We are on our third frost now and after covering the sweet potatoes that I hadn't dug . I am finally geting around to digging them. I'm down to two rows now and I think I may get done by this evening. We had a lot of rain earlier and I just didn't want to try digging when it was that wet. Now This morning it was 20F when I started. It is now up to 44 and I was sweating like a horse. I don't want to leave them in the ground any longer, or they may freeze solid. LOL
No pictures today. I have to get back out to digging.
This will end the garden for another year, with the exception of composting and tilling under any leaves I can gather up. I have some rather large Castor been stumps. I may leave them till spring and see if the tiller will up root them.
Lena The seed stalks won't harm the rest of the stalks. I have found though that the stalks that branch off of that main stalk are a little tougher, so I don't use them. Will it hurt the plant? I don't think so. But it don't need to go to seed as they will still form new tubers for more plants without going to seed. I don't really know all that much about rhubarb I guess I have just taken it for granted that it always comes up every year, and does better each year. I have been pulling the seed stalks and not letting them go to seed. Also I have never tried to see if I could start any from seed.
In about a week and a half, we are going to take a trip to Ohio, to take some stuff out for our daughter. That will be a good test to see if what I have hooked up on the pickup so far, will help much on the MPGs.
It does produce enough hydrogen that it should help. However I haven't done anything toward tricking the onboard computer to allow a leaner burn. I know it will attempt to counteract the extra oxygen in the exhaust. But we will find out.
Well, think I have rested enough for now, so better get back out and dig more taders.
Russ
Russ, you sound like you are doing stuff like my dad used to do years ago. In fact I remember him telling me about the fan belt breaking out in the middle of nowhere and my mom taking off her stocking and he used that for a fan belt.
I guess those were the days. Depression here we come?
I see on the news they say the price of gas is down to $2.63. Wonder where that is.
Jeanette
Hey I'm resting again. Last night my daughter said she filled up at the super Wal-Mart, Murphy station. $2.01. That is Sioux City.
I have to get the rest of these taders dug or I would go in today and fill up.
We have to go in tomorrow anyway , Barb is still got that nasty cough an we are trying desperately to get shed of it.
Might be my luck that it will go back up before we get there.
Speaking of improvising when you have a break down. We had a fan blade break off and it stuck through the hood. It didn't hit any thing else, so I just took the whole fan assembly off and tightened the bolts back onto the pully and went on home with no fan. Just didn't try going very fast and coasted down hills and that kept it cool.
Had a weird hood ornament though. LOL
I'm hoping for low gas prices for the trip as it will have to be on credit card. Of course I am hoping that my little hydrogen generator does better than without it. I will have to let you know how it went. We plan on staying there around a week.
That should let my friend Gary know what it is like to take care of animals, Right????
Hey have you ever made Prickly pear cactus jelly?? I made some this year, and am sharing it with the kids. Their first thought has been like Huh- - -???? But then they liked it, so they will probably want more next year. lol
Russ
Wow just got a call back from the Lutheran Minister here in town. I had called earlier to see if he would mind helping me dig and get some sweet taders in return. So if I cover them up he will be over tomorrow and help me finish. He is quite a bit younger than I so it should make quick work of it. And I would gladly give him the rest of the taders, but I don't think he would want that many.
I had better go hose what I have dug down to get some of the dirt off. I need to get them in the garage to dry a little then they will need to go upstairs on the wire rack. and I will run a fan on them to finish drying them. I really wish you were here to take some. I still feel bad that you put in all that work into trying to grow them and not get any.
Well, I really didn't have the right place for them Russ. I didn't realize they were going to go so far astray. LOL They had arms and legs 6 feet long. But, i needed a better place for the roots.
You are going to replant the sps so the Minister can work for his meal?
Jeanette
Thanks for sharing your experiences with Rhubarb, Russ. Not sure what Ill do, maybe let one flower, and stop the other. I was thinking, wouldnt the production of a flower take away from leaf production?
Dont dig too much in one day, it gives you terrible back ache. I learnt that lesson the hard way this week, digging drains, then trying to mix lime and blood meal into compacted and soaking wet clay soil. The flood has subsided though, and my exams are over! Now I just need some sunny weather...
Take care,
Lena
hey , russ ,we make p. pear jelly in tex . i like the big purple ones . we flip them off with a fork ,and hold them over a flame with tongs to singe the thorns off , then drop them in boiling water for a few seconds to loosen the skin a bit .drop them in cold water to cool then peel . years ago , we used a lot of lemon to give them acid to gell .i still like the flovor of the lemon , even with the liquid sure jell .sally
your energy amazes me lena . don't overdo it . sally
Ha Ha Ha. No Jeanette I don't think I'll try that trick. There are only 5 hills left but that will give him more SPs than he would probably use this winter. I'm glad he said to leave them for him to dig, as by the time I hosed off the mud and partialy dried the ones I had already dug and got them picked up and in the house, I was and am beat. And I just now remembered that I dug the Cannas up and they are laying out there. I do need to get back out there cover them so the roots that are sticking out of the big ball of dirt don't freeze.
Russ
Wish you all were closer. I picked up one of those Friendship Bread starters a couple of weeks ago at the drs. office and every 10 days you are suppose to add to it and take out 3 starters and give to friends. LOL, I think I was the last friend to get it 'cause everyone else runs when they hear it. They say they have a freezer full of it.
Actually it is pretty good. I would mail you some but it raises. LOL wonder how it would do in the mail.
Bet NZ Customs wouldn't be too happy Lena. No sense of humor.
Jeanette
Hehe funny, imagine sloppy bread starter dripping all through the mail bags. Your right though, I cant see the post service laughing though, or the people whos mail got destroyed my it. Although it would be taking the sharing to a whole new level ^_^
Is it a sauerdough? Ive been meaning to start one of those for a while now, but havent got around to it. So my breadmaker is still getting its regular exercise. Most of the bread in the shops here is ghastly, and expensive. I wouldnt recommend it to anyone.
What time of day is it right now? It seems a few people are online. Its 1.40pm here I just got home from my exam.
Lena
Hi Lena; It's 7.51 here in Iowa USA and probably 6.51 in mountain time. I think.
That is PM
This message was edited Oct 28, 2008 7:57 PM
I am 2 hours earlier than Russ Lina. Pacific Standard Time.
No, the starter wasn't sourdough. I let my sour dough get kind of ugly and Bob threw it out. He doesn't realize that it can be rejuvinated. Takes a bit, but it can be.
This is a kind of sweet bread starter. Not really a cake and not as dense as a banana bread. But good.
Jeanette
Digger; The fork trick would also be great, I used the tongs that are hinged at the handle, then put them in water and used an old scotchgard pad to scrub them while holding them with the tongs.
I know the ones up here don't get nearly as big as a few zones further south. The purple ones is right, which is right at frost time here.
I had to make do some siding for the improvised GH. The last big wind riddled the plastic. So I gathered up a few pieces of mismatched fiberglass roofing. Have all the sides almost covered now. Will still use plastic on the inside. Might even use some insulation about 3 feet up.
I'm trying to get all the little things done, before we go to Ohio. The truck is all loaded, except for suit cases, Sp's, some canna tubers and
some of the jelly.
It seems like this might be the best time for this trip. We were in town yesterday and topped off the gas tank. $1.95 a gallon.
That AIN'T GONNA stop me from going forward with separating the hydrogen from water, to bump up the mileage as high as possible.
Don't have much room under the hood of the Lil S10, for any size of a unit. This trip will be a good test, for the unit I put together. Got my fingers crossed. Hoping for a good show, even though there are a couple more devises needed to override the computer.
Maybe with this new stimulus check they are talking about, will pay for those parts.
If that don't mature, then the raise us old folks will get will have to take care of getting them.
This is the size I could fit under the hood, without going to a lot of trouble.
Sorry it don't look like a straw bale LOL
R
This message was edited Oct 30, 2008 8:25 PM
russ, the cactus apples are much better after you have a freeze on them , and I use the long handled fork . don't bother trying to wash the thorns off , singe them , does a much better job and no accidental stickers in your hands . have a safe trip ....sally
Sally; That would mean building a fire. Guess I could use the grill. No old cook stove around. lol
Russ
Russ. have good safe trip. Take lots of pictures and enjoy.
Donna
Be sure to let us know how the gas or whatever you are calling it does mileage wise. Wow under $2!! Wonder if that's enough to win this election for the Reps. Whoops, sorry no politics.
Have fun and drive careful.
Jeanette
jnette , I hope . sally
Hi guys, Well we had a great visit. The kids wanted to have a Thanksgiving dinner. We did a combined effort with the cooking. It was a great dinner. Even went on a road trip. I'm guessing about 150 miles, to an Amana colony. There we browsed through a very large mercantile store. They had nearly any thing you could think of. But the old wood burning cook stoves were at a premium price. from 2 to 3k. Big copper kettles you name it, they had it. It was a fun day I didn't buy much but we could have made a great museum with stuff from there.
On the way out there we drove the first 50 or so miles in freezing rain.
stopped for a "pit stop" knocked the ice off the wipers. We must have got into a micro climate area, as the rain was no longer freezing on the wipers or the hood.
Since the weather had started turning nasty, we started out the night before. We had planed on leaving in the morning but wanted to be ahead of the bad weather; so about 250 or 300 miles we stopped for the night. It was not raining there. Started out in the morning at 4.00 AM. It had started raining. Got some miles in before breakfast. The first fill-up with gas showed 24 mpg. Not spectacular, but better than what I had expected with the load we were carrying. But after that, the interstate speeds with bucking a strong wind. The mileage dropped. to 20mpg. I now know the reason that the hydrogen generator didn't take care of the whole problem. What happens is that it gave a cleaner burn of the fuel. The O2 sensor looked at that as a lean burn and sent that signal to the ECU, which in turn dumped more fuel in to rich en the mix back to it's determined rich mixture. I am working on that problem now. and have ordered an electronic device to allow a leaner burn.
I feel confident on that outcome. We were out there about a week. Headed back early Monday morning. 15 hours later we were at my oldest brothers place in the northeastern part of Iowa. It was evening and had started getting dark already. But they knew we were coming so they had a stew waiting. The next day we had another Thanksgiving dinner. Yes I helped with the fixings I made the baked sweet potatoes. Not a whole lot but again it was a combined effort. Got in a lot of visiting and stayed another night. The trip from there to home the milage went back up, 26 mpg. Still not great but good for a pickup.
I am sure I will be able to give a much better report on milage at a later date.
I know this was not a quick response on the trip. I had a lot of catching up to do once we were home. And now the kids are back here for an early Christmas with their granddaughter and both sets of parents. Connie came with them as well. She is using our car to get around to see her friends and family. She had to spent the night about 50 miles north of here as freezing rain coated everything with about 1/4 in of ice.
At least she had a warm place to stay. we got about 4" of snow on top of that. By morning it was all drifted up right were nobody wanted it.
We will have a good visit before they have to go back. We plan on getting some supplies tomorrow sometime. when Connie gets back here. Naturally we have to have a great meal. LOL
Really now, I have had enough winter, I'm ready for S P R I N G!
And winter is just getting a good start.
I shoveled the drift out that was in front of the garage" by hand" as my skid loader is kind of laid up, no drive on the left side. Oh well the rest of the drive way only had a 5" layer of snow and it was dry and fluffy. so we are not stuck at home.
I took a few pictures but have been very lax at getting them posted.
At present I am still making a good shed for the goats so they can get in out of the cold wind and nasty weather. They like what I have for them I just need to get it enclosed a little better. So not as much wind can get to them.
On a brighter note, I got one seed catalog already. Not really one I plan to order from but it is a start. LOL Hope every one else is nice and warm and got a good fire to keep warm by.
More later.
Russ
Russ, do you still have snow at home now? Is it cold enough for ice?
Glad you got to your destination and back safe and sound. Also that you had a nice visit with all the kids. Bet it is good to get home tho.
Well, burrow in for the winter, and I am sure you have many more seed catalogs by now. I just got Parks new one and they have a sweet potato for the north that is vine-less.
Almost time for the armchair gardening.
That is all I am going to be doing. I just went into the hospital a week ago, had my foot rebuilt, and am off of it (totally) for 3 months. Just in time to start my seeds.
Jeanette
Russ so glad you had a good safe trip and are safely home.I would not like traveling with icy conditions. that happens rarely out here. And that you had good meals and visiting, I guess that makes traveling in ice bearable.
Jeanette sorry to hear about your foot surgery, and that you have to stay off of it. But good that you have catalogs for company and I hope the foot heals well and fast.
Donna
Thanks Donna, I've been wondering how you are faring over there. Good to hear your "voice".
Jeanette
Jeanette; Which is worse???? a bum foot that you have to stay off of, or feeling good and full of pep but you can't do anything?????
Sorry about the foot. I guess better now than in the spring though.
We met Connie in town today, had lunch together and went shopping for groceries. She will be here for a couple weeks or so. She will go back after Christmas. We let her use our car while she is here, as she rode with Ken & Sandi. I guess that means we use the truck untill she goes back with one of her daughters. Small price for love of family.
We are still waiting to get her on disability. If she hadn't been so good to her kids and have another car in her name that her under age daughter ( at the time) was buying and finished paying for. She would be on it already. They said it looked like she just got rid of the car to be eligible. Never mind the fact that nobody will hire her because of the artery blockage. If she could get on somewhere it would probably have too much stress and would bring on a stroke anyway. At least she has a warm place to stay until the papers do go through. That way we can all help her without putting a financial burden on any of us too much and she is with family. Sounds like she will have to wait till March. We will just do what we can until then.
Yep we still have snow and ice. Many years we have snow packed on the roads for a month at a time. In that length of time there is practicly no difference between that and just straight ice. So if we don't get out on it we would stay home an awful lot. and miss a lot of work. Most farmers an people that live out of the cities, just get used to it. We are usually smart enough to stay out of the bigger cities untill the city dwellers finally get used to the idea that there is more than one position for the gas peddle. LOL
Russ
Hi Russ, Well hopefully the foot surgery will take the "bum" out of the foot by spring planting. I know what you mean about wanting to do stuff but not able.
Good break for Connie. too bad about the disability. Rules, who needs 'em?
But it will be nice having her for Christmas.
It is suppose to turn "bitter" cold here tomorrow and all into next week. Can't wait. LOL
Jeanette
Yeah RIGHT, on the can't wait. LOL
Tomorrow is going to be our warm day for the month. The bitter cold is headed this way. I could say thanks for sending it, but I don't think I'm quite that thrilled. LOL
I've only gotten one seed catalog as of yet. But my in box is starting to fill up with early ads. Most of what I am interested in usually comes up with, Sorry we are out of stock at this time.
I just found out that Tami & Gary are planning on buying the garden seed again for this next gardening season. We love them dearly, but all the extra work kind of gets to me. Oh well I think I can handle another year of it. I am making a gift for them. He likes lighthouses, so I have cut out a lighthouse, to use as a sail for a rather large set of wind chimes. The set is a little over 3' from the top hanger ring to the sail at the bottom. The tubes are 1 & 1/4" light weight metal tubing. I need to paint the lighthouse sail yet, then it will be ready. Then to sneak it under their tree, with out their knowing it.
Take care of that foot. I want to hear about your tomatoes next year.
We wish you a Very Merry Christmas!
Russ & Barb
Russ, nice picture of you two. Be sure to send a picture of the wind chimes. I love wind chimes and yours sounds great.
Donna
Russ & Barb,
You guys look nice and healthy. Good way to start the new year. Thanks for the picture and like Donna said, would love to see the wind chimes. I love them too.
Maybe you should start a business Russ. LOL, like you have so much time.
Jeanette
All that snow and ice sounds terrible! I hope you are keeping warm.
We had a cold day today, cloud and wind with a few showers. But appart from that, summer is definately here! I have alot of small green tomatoes, my peppers and zuchinis and cucumbers are flowereing like crazy, beans are flowering, lettuce is starting to bolt, and I have had my first quick dip in the ocean.
I wish you all a safe and merry christmas. Pity its so cold where you are. We will be having christmas by the beach, as is tradition in NZ. I bet that sounds strange to you all. Fake snow is a joke, I dont know why some people bother, haha. Sun tan lotion and bare feet is more appropriate here. Why dont you all come on down these ways? :-)
Lena
Russ: great photo.
Love the tree and wrapped presents.
We're no where near that stage.
I've got sheet rock workers putting the 2nd coat down in our addition, the tile guy is on the way, the electrical guy is coming later.
Of course, the rest of the house is a wreck.
Sheet rock folks back again tomorrow for final sanding.
My bride and daughter and I are going to start painting Sat. PM.
HVAC folks coming Mon AM along with the plumbers.
Carpet guys coming sometime next week.
As Ricky Ricardo would say: Aye! Aye! Aye! :-)
Kent you will surely have a "White Christmas" with all the drywall dust!!!
Doug
Doug: I'm going to need a big shovel to get it out! Drywall dust will permeate any known barrier!!!! :-)
Sounds like you are moving right along Kent. You are so right. NOthing worse than spackle dust. Awful. Did you happen to install a central vacuum while you were in the disarray?
I had Bob install one that I got at the home show several years ago and just love it. They are much easier to plumb when there is no wall board up yet.
Jeanette
Jeanette: negative on the central vac; taking a break from painting primer on the drywall all day. Tile guys were here. 90% finished on that job. HVAC and plumbing folks here tomorrow to finish up their part.
Hopefully, I'll be able to get a Christmas tree up b4 the 25th. :-)
Strawbale Christmas tree perhaps?
A stack of strawbales, some green paint a light or two and who knows
A WHITE CHRISTMAS
LOL
Russ
It's such a crazy busy time of year- this is the first I've checked in for a while! Hope you all will have wonderful holidays- whichever one serves your heart- I have my fingers crossed for a white Christmas (but it went up to 60 here today!! Bizarre!)
Ho-Ho-Ho! and May God Bless Us, Every One.
Namaste- Suzan
Suzan; If you would really like a white Christmas, I would try sending some of ours, your way LOL
We woke up to minus 7 this morning. Overnight will probably drop to minus 14. That will test that old tired blood.
If we get the snow they are predicting. I am sure it will still be here on Christmas.
We planed to go out tomorrow to celebrate Barbs birthday. We are both starting to get "cold feet" with the temp that low and the possibility of up to 6" of snow. We are contemplating postponing that one more day.
Russ