(A cute picture of my younger daughter eating salsa was
supposed to go here, but she was late getting up for
school this morning.)
This is the time of year that seed catalogs fill the
mailbox. Actually mine have been arriving since early
December. Totally Tomatoes TM gave me the idea for a
salsa garden. So I figured, why not a salsa inspired
issue of ye olde blogazine? I decided to review some
seed catalogs, in case other gardeners (or wannabees
like myself) had missed a great company. Feel free
to add your favorites. I didn't review nurseries as
much because I've reviewed a few in the past.
If you have time check out the Salsa Store. I couldn't
get the fancy multi-book widget to work, so please
click on the link if interested. There's even a
story called Chickens and Chips that I may get my
niece for her next birthday.
Happy dreaming/gardening . . .
Michelle
Friday, January 11, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Book Review: The Self Sufficient Life and How to Live It
This is the second book that I ordered
from the LATOC bookstore, just before
Christmas. It's an update of an old
classic by the same name, and written
by John Seymour.
I didn't realize how big the book was.
It's also hard cover, and of very
good quality. It feels like it would
last a few generations. This is
important because you'll want it
too. It covers so much knowledge
on so many different subjects.
Granted, it doesn't go in depth
on many things like horse training,
which is difficult to learn from
a book anyways. But if you wanted
just one book to pass down to
your kids that covered most
skills learned and then
forgotten in the last few
centuries, than this is the
book for you.
Gardening covers everything
from the urban garden to a
five acre farm. It also includes
a section on how to grow
vegetables during all four
seasons. The picture illustrations
are amazing.
The Self Sufficient Life also
touches on clearing land and harvesting
cereals, hunting, storing the harvest,
dairying, brewing beer, and the slaughter
of critters, including sheep. There
are bits that must be cut off first
to keep the meat from getting rancid.
There's a chapter on saving energy,
solar/wind/water power and "dry toilets".
I'm not done yet. There's a section
called crafts and skills that touches
on everything from spinning wool,
making bricks, tanning, scything (I
have one!) and thatching.
With this great book, the possibilities
are endless. I highly recommend it.
~Michelle
Salsa recipes
Linda's Salsa (Yes the Ozarker chickee):
I made salsa this summer to use up some of my extra veggies.
2 large tomatoes (peeled)
1 jalapeno, halved and seeded (more if you like it hot)
1 green pepper, halved an seeded
1/2 onion or 4 green onions
1 clove garlic
1 med. cucumber - crisp (or 1 small sprig cilantro)
1- 1 1/2 T oil (this is probably optional)
2 T white vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
Throw everything but the tomatoes into your blender and chop to taste,
adding tomatoes last. This makes about 1/2 - 1 C salsa. I used
cucumber because I don't like the taste of raw cilantro. It gives a
very mild, but slightly hot salsa. I make it in big batches - 4-6
tomatoes at a time. Drain the juice off in a colander and save.
Freeze the salsa in 1/2 to 1C batches and save the juice for
breakfast. Makes a nice, slightly hot V8 type juice. You could
probably leave out the oil if you want to save the juice although I
didn't notice it when I drank it.
Linda
Homesteader Squirrel's Chipolte Salsa:
I think I've cracked the code on Chipolte's mild salsa, though. It
seems to simply be fresh vine ripened tomatoes, red onion, and fresh
cilantro. Just mix it up, don't cook it. (If it gets canned, it'll
get cooked anyway.)
Ms. Squirrel's Salsa and fish:
As for a recipe using salsa...
Take some fish (any type, even panfish will do), pour salsa over it
and sprinkle with cheese. Cook in 350 or 375 oven (or dutch oven over
a fire) until the fish flakes easily. Serve with beans and rice and a
dollup of sour cream, and you have a little twist on traditional
Mexican. Even my picky eater liked it.
And for something a little weird, but
actually quite yummy:
Salsa on salad instead of salad dressing.
I saw a chick eat a salad like this once and
it left me salivating. I'm sure it's also
much lower in fat.
~Michelle
I made salsa this summer to use up some of my extra veggies.
2 large tomatoes (peeled)
1 jalapeno, halved and seeded (more if you like it hot)
1 green pepper, halved an seeded
1/2 onion or 4 green onions
1 clove garlic
1 med. cucumber - crisp (or 1 small sprig cilantro)
1- 1 1/2 T oil (this is probably optional)
2 T white vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
Throw everything but the tomatoes into your blender and chop to taste,
adding tomatoes last. This makes about 1/2 - 1 C salsa. I used
cucumber because I don't like the taste of raw cilantro. It gives a
very mild, but slightly hot salsa. I make it in big batches - 4-6
tomatoes at a time. Drain the juice off in a colander and save.
Freeze the salsa in 1/2 to 1C batches and save the juice for
breakfast. Makes a nice, slightly hot V8 type juice. You could
probably leave out the oil if you want to save the juice although I
didn't notice it when I drank it.
Linda
Homesteader Squirrel's Chipolte Salsa:
I think I've cracked the code on Chipolte's mild salsa, though. It
seems to simply be fresh vine ripened tomatoes, red onion, and fresh
cilantro. Just mix it up, don't cook it. (If it gets canned, it'll
get cooked anyway.)
Ms. Squirrel's Salsa and fish:
As for a recipe using salsa...
Take some fish (any type, even panfish will do), pour salsa over it
and sprinkle with cheese. Cook in 350 or 375 oven (or dutch oven over
a fire) until the fish flakes easily. Serve with beans and rice and a
dollup of sour cream, and you have a little twist on traditional
Mexican. Even my picky eater liked it.
And for something a little weird, but
actually quite yummy:
Salsa on salad instead of salad dressing.
I saw a chick eat a salad like this once and
it left me salivating. I'm sure it's also
much lower in fat.
~Michelle
Catalog Review: Bountiful Gardens
This organization is part seed
company and part "ecology action"
group. They teach, and sell booklets
about "bio intensive gardening" and
"sustainable mini-farming". This
is the only catalog that mentions
"Peak Oil, Peak Food, and Peak Water"
and tries to do something about it.
They sell heirloom varieties of
vegetables, herbs and grains.
Two hooves up!
Pictures: A few black and white
photos.
Layout: Very informative.
Products: Worth a try.
Prices: Good.
Special features: Great
book and pamphlet section.
Good karma.
www.bountifulgardens.org
~Michelle
Catalog Review: Burnt Ridge Nursery & Orchards
This is a nice little catalog.
It provides lots of ideas
for planting an edible
landscape. Small shrubs,
trees and bushes may
provide a big supplement
to our diet in the future.
This company's prices are
very reasonable, and they
provide information on
what plants need to be
cross pollinated. There
are also handy charts
that show which plants
are suitable for various
climates. Two hooves up!
Pictures: None.
Layout: Excellent.
Products: Worth a try.
Prices: Good.
Special features:
Charts for plant
suitability by region
and climate.
www.burtridgenursery.com
~Michelle
It provides lots of ideas
for planting an edible
landscape. Small shrubs,
trees and bushes may
provide a big supplement
to our diet in the future.
This company's prices are
very reasonable, and they
provide information on
what plants need to be
cross pollinated. There
are also handy charts
that show which plants
are suitable for various
climates. Two hooves up!
Pictures: None.
Layout: Excellent.
Products: Worth a try.
Prices: Good.
Special features:
Charts for plant
suitability by region
and climate.
www.burtridgenursery.com
~Michelle
You get what you pay for . .
These catalogs represent just
a few companies that sell
very inexpensive plants and
seeds. They don't appear to
be organic, and I would
pass on ordering from them.
Products: Doubtful.
Pictures and layout:
Below average.
Special features:
None.
~Michelle
Catalog Review: High Mowing Organic seeds
This catalog is a must. Save it
when you're done ordering, you'll
be glad you did. I bought seeds
from this company last year and
was extremely pleased.
I bought fingerling potatoes and
scarlet runner beans from them.
Then, we had the drought of the
century, and my heavy clay soil
was like concrete. I barely
watered due to water restrictions
and the seemingly hopelessness
of it all. Most of my plantings
died, several times. Yet,
I harvested a bucket full of
potatoes and picked red beans
throughout the drought. Pamela,
your seeds are coming.
This company is very pro organic,
and encourages growers to save
their own seeds. One of the best
things I like about it is the
in depth information at the start
of each vegetable category. This
includes how to grow, space and
harvest each category of plant,
as well as info on diseases and
pests and suggestions on how to
combat them organically.
Products: Reasonably priced,
very good quality.
Pictures (You want to see what
you're ordering.)and layout:
Excellent.
Special features: In depth coverage
of various vegetables and how
to grow them.
~Michelle
when you're done ordering, you'll
be glad you did. I bought seeds
from this company last year and
was extremely pleased.
I bought fingerling potatoes and
scarlet runner beans from them.
Then, we had the drought of the
century, and my heavy clay soil
was like concrete. I barely
watered due to water restrictions
and the seemingly hopelessness
of it all. Most of my plantings
died, several times. Yet,
I harvested a bucket full of
potatoes and picked red beans
throughout the drought. Pamela,
your seeds are coming.
This company is very pro organic,
and encourages growers to save
their own seeds. One of the best
things I like about it is the
in depth information at the start
of each vegetable category. This
includes how to grow, space and
harvest each category of plant,
as well as info on diseases and
pests and suggestions on how to
combat them organically.
Products: Reasonably priced,
very good quality.
Pictures (You want to see what
you're ordering.)and layout:
Excellent.
Special features: In depth coverage
of various vegetables and how
to grow them.
~Michelle
Catalog Review: Totally Tomatoes
Another great find. The average
person on the street has no idea
how many gorgeous varieties of
veggies can be had out of the
home garden. I like this catalog
a lot, it's easy to read. The pictures
are nice and the prices are reasonable.
They had a great section on salsa
gardening, which I'm going to
try my hand at this year. I've
never planted a theme
garden. This is an
awesome catalog, I give it two
hooves up.
Pictures: Like a coffee table book.
Layout: Same.
Products: Worth a try.
Prices: reasonable.
Special features:
The salsa section.
www.totallytomato.com
~Michelle
Catalog Review: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
LOVE THIS ONE!!! It's a visual
feast for the gardening soul.
This down home company offers
so many varieties of the weird,
the unusual, the rare or forgotten.
Who knew there were so many
types of melons and lettuce?
Squash? Yeah baby! I want to
order their magazine as well.
Two hooves up!! A keeper!
Their pages could list varieties
in alphabetical order, and
sometimes the luscious pictures
are not readily identifiable.
Pictures: Confusing and scrumptious
at the same time.
Layout: Tempting and confusing.
Prices: Wicked good.
Products: Yeah baby!
RARESEEDS.COM
~Michelle
Catalog Review: Pinetree Garden Seeds
This catalog offers very reasonably
priced seeds, most packets are $1-$2.
Their varieties are about average.
They sell only organic, non genetic
engineered varieties. The pictures
and information listed about
their varieties of flowers, herbs
and veggies is again, avaerage.
They have a nice clearance
section on gardening books.
It's well worth ordering the
free catalog.
Pictures: 1/3rd of varieties
have photos.
Layout: Fine.
Products: Worth a try.
Prices: Excellent!
www.superseeds.com
~Michelle
Catalog Review: Territorial Seed Company
It's a nice catalog to curl
up with on a cold wintry day.
It has a little bit of
everything, some modern
and some heirloom varieties.
Their prices on seed packets
seem a little high. Their
photos and information are
about average.
Pictures and layout:
Good.
Products: Not sure.
Prices: Pricey.
www.territorialseed.com
~Michelle
Catalog Review: Sand Hill Preservation Center
Here's a guy devoted to saving
a lot of agricultural diversity.
I've heard that poultry ordered
from this company is the best
around. Other big hatcheries
claim to have rare breeds, this
"genetic-preservationist-hobbyist"
deals directly with many small
breeders and can offer true to
breed poultry.
He does the same for many varieties
of seeds, bulbs, and sweet potatoes.
The catalog itself has no pictures.
I recommend this company as a resource
for gardeners interested in rare
or fallen out of favor seeds and
poultry.
Pictures: None.
Layout: Easy readability.
Products: Probably very good.
Prices: Reasonable.
www.sandhillpreservation.com
~Michelle
Book Review: See You In A Hundred Years
I had a bit of pocket change before
Christmas, and I decided to treat
myself to a few books from the LATOC
bookstore.
http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/ItemCategorySubPages/StoreMainPage.html
Over the last 2 years, my tastes in
reading have changed. I rarely peruse
the fluffy stuff, like bodice rippers,
anymore. I don't care for mysteries,
I have read some teen based literature
to see what my daughter likes.
I decided to try See You In A
Hundred Years, Four Seasons In Forgotten
America by Logan Ward. Here's
a guy from the country, living and working
in Manhattan. He takes his son to a zoo
and ends up watching another child who
can't recognize a cow. He decides that
his son will not suffer the same fate.
Between struggling with his over-dependence
on technology and "not being able to
see the stars at night", Logan and
his wife decide to embark on an
adventure.
The book tells the story of their return
to the countryside. It explains their
desire to try and live life for a year
in 1900, just as their forefathers had done.
They plan a very detailed reenactment,
from underwear, towels, tools, chipped
enamel plates and pencil sharpeners, to
what brand of beer was available in 1900.
The couple deal with crazy hunters, boy scouts,
illness, drought, persnickety draft horses,
canning, and the pressure that they put on
themselves. Logan is honest about the
emotional costs. Living in the last century,
when you weren't brought up in it proves
very taxing on their marriage.
They end up getting to know their neighbors
via their unusual project, and become the
focal point of their community. I read
this book in a day and a half, okay, I
devoured it. As my hubby has reluctantly
at times joined me in the farmlette lifestyle,
he read the book as well. We have much in
common with the young couple, as we've
tried to build up a place of semi-sustainability.
Darned good read, two hooves up!
~Michelle
Christmas, and I decided to treat
myself to a few books from the LATOC
bookstore.
http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/ItemCategorySubPages/StoreMainPage.html
Over the last 2 years, my tastes in
reading have changed. I rarely peruse
the fluffy stuff, like bodice rippers,
anymore. I don't care for mysteries,
I have read some teen based literature
to see what my daughter likes.
I decided to try See You In A
Hundred Years, Four Seasons In Forgotten
America by Logan Ward. Here's
a guy from the country, living and working
in Manhattan. He takes his son to a zoo
and ends up watching another child who
can't recognize a cow. He decides that
his son will not suffer the same fate.
Between struggling with his over-dependence
on technology and "not being able to
see the stars at night", Logan and
his wife decide to embark on an
adventure.
The book tells the story of their return
to the countryside. It explains their
desire to try and live life for a year
in 1900, just as their forefathers had done.
They plan a very detailed reenactment,
from underwear, towels, tools, chipped
enamel plates and pencil sharpeners, to
what brand of beer was available in 1900.
The couple deal with crazy hunters, boy scouts,
illness, drought, persnickety draft horses,
canning, and the pressure that they put on
themselves. Logan is honest about the
emotional costs. Living in the last century,
when you weren't brought up in it proves
very taxing on their marriage.
They end up getting to know their neighbors
via their unusual project, and become the
focal point of their community. I read
this book in a day and a half, okay, I
devoured it. As my hubby has reluctantly
at times joined me in the farmlette lifestyle,
he read the book as well. We have much in
common with the young couple, as we've
tried to build up a place of semi-sustainability.
Darned good read, two hooves up!
~Michelle
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