Eightymillion

A DIY craft and photography blog. Dogs included.

Harvesting Fresh Garden Vegetables: Green Peppers

This is the best part about having a garden.  Harvesting the fresh vegetables to have on hand throughout the winter months.  I use a LOT of these in several dishes that I make.  My garden always has two green pepper plants so I’ll have a lot to freeze.
Today I went to the store to purchase a box of snack size freezer bags.  Guess what?  They don’t exist.  The smallest size of freezer bags were quarts.  Never knew that.  I was attempting to avoid using a quart size bag for a handful of peppers.  I like to freeze smaller portions because I don’t need a lot for each recipe.
Solution:  Regular double zipper snack size bags. 
I portioned out ten servings, rolled up the bag, and placed five each in a quart size freezer bag.  This way they are still in a freezer bag and I’m not wasting space.  People tell me to date the bags as well.  I never have a problem using them up.  Usually, I run out before the next garden season starts up again.
The best part of my day was counting the number of peppers that will be ready to harvest this week.  I’m quite the garden geek.
*This post isn’t a promotion for the use of Target’s brand of storage bags.  They are my store of choice because they have cool stuff!
Until the next word…
~Jennifer   

Friday’s Top 10 List: 7-27-12

Wednesday morning I grabbed the huge white mixing bowl and filled it up with fresh veggies from the garden.  I was planning to harvest the green peppers, but this bowl is getting lighter after each meal.  I’ll save future picks to freeze.
Fresh salad ingredients, veggie tacos, throw-ins for my breakfast skillets, and toppings for my veggie sandwiches.  I LOVE this time of the year.  Despite the heat wave, my garden is doing well. 
Plans for the weekend?  Several projects in my studio need some attention.  Last weekend I was ill, so praying for a productive day tomorrow.  
Fan of the Olympics?  Are you watching or attending?  I’m looking forward to the swimming competition on Saturday.  Go USA!

I shared the photo above on Facebook today, but I must share here as well.  How cute is this?  I woke up and found the boys toys arranged on the floor.  Kind of looks like they were building their own set of Olympic rings.  Not sure which one made this, but I’m pleased with their sense of creativity (they get it from me).
*****
LEGO fans, check this out!  It’s on display at the Nicholson Museum in Melbourne, Australia.  My nephew would love it!
Have you heard of the Daily Chuck?  I can’t remember how I discovered this Mom Blogger, Heather Armstrong, but if you click on the link for the daily chuck you’ll see what I love her site.  She blogs about her life and topics in which some people wouldn’t dare mention in a public forum.  I watched The Talk yesterday and who was one of their guests?  It was Heather Armstrong.  “Hey, I read her blog!”  May sound silly, but I was excited to see someone from the cyber world on tv.
I rent an old house with hard water.  We’ll see if this cures the rust stains.  I wonder if it’ll work for toilet stains as well.  With gloves on of course.
For the love of music, right at your feet! 
University students combining their knowledge to create devices like this one.  Using the eye-tracking software they developed a machine to help the disabled and elderly feed themselves at home.  Kudos to them.
I’ve got everything for this recipe in the garden and in my seasoning cabinet.  Paired with a bag of chips and I’m all set to browse through the Netflix categories.  
Crunchy pasta?  I’m hungry and this looks good.  So here’s another vegetarian recipe.
Fan of New Order?  They will be touring this fall.  Thanks to my friend Jason who runs, Rediscover the 80’s blog for sharing this on the social sites.
I was spending a “little” bit of time on Pinterest the other day and came across this awesome DIY project.  I’ve decided to make one for all six of my nieces and nephews.  I’m adding a couple of steps to the project and I’ve got a few ideas on ways to display them.  All inexpensive (Dollar Store finds) of course.  I’ll post how it turns out on the blog when I get the first one done.
November 16, 2012.  No explanation needed, just click that link!
*****
Until the next word…
~Jennifer

DIY Garden Inspiration: Recycled Dog Kennel

Last year we scored a handful of dog kennel panels from a neighbor and recycled them to serve as a barrier around the garden. I say barrier because that’s what we need to keep the dogs out of the food source.  Something tall to prevent them from jumping over. We grow a lot of tomatoes and onions which aren’t good for their belly.  Chicken wire wasn’t doing the job, so we needed to try something else. 
These were perfect! 
It took us a couple of weeks to get the dirt ready to plant.  No rototiller here.  We use a shovel to turn the dirt.  It’s very relaxing and a great stress reliever. 
Almost ready.
Every year I use the fabric landscaping in the garden.  Love this stuff!
This collection of plants and flowers was my Mother’s Day gift this year.  I like using starter plants for the tomatoes, green peppers, various hot peppers, cabbage, and broccoli.  The spinach and collard greens are started from seeds.  There is limited space inside the house and three nosy dogs who would probably dig in the pots if we would attempt to start everything from seeds.
While we were planting Disco was having fun rolling in the grass with his football.
Our neighbor allowed us to chose the panels that we wanted.  We found a gate in the pile and it works great.  Adam positioned the plants according to their height and away from the door.  In previous gardens we were stepping over plants to water other plants and realized we didn’t leave ourselves enough leg room.  Another benefit of using the fabric landscaping.
Everything is growing except my spinach.  I’ve had trouble with this in previous years.  Not sure what I’m doing wrong, but oh well. Next year I’m planting kale in it’s place.
I’ll be sharing more pictures as the garden progresses.
If you have dogs and need a solution to keep them out of the garden, look for a kennel.  Check your local paper, recycling center, or Craigslist for a used one.  Some use the kennel to contain them in one place.  We’re using it to keep them out of one place.
So, do you plant a garden?  

Dubuque Farmers Market: Part Two-More Veggies and Recycled Goods

Yesterday I had another successful trip to the local farmers market.  This is becoming part of my Saturday morning routine.
I’m ashamed to say that I forgot to take the most important item with me.  My recycle tote.  I didn’t realize it until I made a purchase and had to use a plastic bag.  Luckily, I found a friend (Anneke Troy) of mine who had a booth.  She makes handmade jewelry.  Her fiance gave her an embroidery machine as a gift (I think I want one now).  Using various fabrics and some recycled oddities she creates these adorable tote bags.  I chose one that has Farmers Market on the front.  Perfect for future visits!  She doesn’t have a website yet, but you can email her at ezaziel@hotmail.com.  Or if your local to this area stop down and visit her booth.   
I forgot to get asparagus last week, so I made sure I got some this trip.  It’ll be steamed and drizzled with cheese for supper tonight.  {yummy}
It was extremely hot outside, so it was a short visit.  The organic strawberries, kale, and green house tomatoes were also new items for this visit.  By the way, my spinach still hasn’t surfaced in my garden (hear me roar).  Next year I’m going to grow kale instead.
Adam found a perennial (Maiden Pinks Dianthus) for the flower garden in front of our house.  I wasn’t thrilled about this due to the heat, but it was priced right.
Enjoy your Sunday evening.
Until the next word…
~Jennifer

What’s On My Plate: BLT (Veggie Style)

When it comes up in conversation that I’m a vegetarian the first question asked is, “What do you eat?”  After a little chuckle I simple say, “Food.” 
If you are new to my blog, first I must say “hello” & “thanks” for visiting.  Second, if your unfamiliar to the What’s On My Plate series, click here.  
BLTs (Veggie Style):

If the whites of my eyes turn green I won’t be surprised.  Saturday’s visit to the local farmers market filled my frig and got me excited about cooking again.  Who doesn’t enjoy a good BLT?  Except, I substitute the bacon for bread to keep in line with the BLT name.  Otherwise my sandwich would be called a RATS (romaine, alfalfa, tomato, spinach) sandwich.  And doesn’t that sound delicious? {gag}
I LOVE raw spinach.  I add the green vegetable to any meal that I can.  For some reason the spinach seeds that I planted aren’t coming up this year in my garden.  Therefore, I’ll support another local grower.  That reminds me. I haven’t shared pictures of the garden yet.  I need to do that {mental note}.
Tip on buying alfalfa sprouts:  I usually buy a container of sprouts only to find out that they spoil before I can use them all up.  Now I visit the salad bar and only purchase a small amount in which I know that I will consume within the next couple of days.  May sound silly, but spending .35 cents and using them all is better than spending 3.99 and throwing half the container away.  
Have a good night.  Today I finished up another recycling project inspired by a post I found on Pinterest.  Pictures coming soon.  I just know that I’m going to end up with frames on the wall lined up from the ceiling to the floor.  Oh well!
P.S.  How cute is that tomato seed on top of the slice of bread?  Didn’t notice that until after I loaded the picture.  Adds a little character.  Agree?
Until the next word…
~Jennifer

Dubuque Farmers Market: Fresh Veggies, Homemade Breads, Recycled Garden Art

Yesterday was my first visit to the local Farmers Market here in Dubuque, Iowa.  I’m happy to report it was a complete success (as shown in the photo above).  There were far more vendors this year than in the past.
I arrived quite early because I had two particular (favorite) vendors that I wanted to visit first.  I snapped the photo above as I was arriving.  I thought about getting one as I left to show the crowd of people but my hands were full and my arm had fallen asleep from the weight of my bag.  Lesson learned:  Next week bring a larger bag!
If you live here in the Dubuque area, your familiar with Fincel’s Sweet Corn.  They were able to plant the corn early so we may just have some before the 4th of July.  My sister will be most pleased if she gets to have some while visiting.
Tomato plants from Fincel’s farm.
Live music was set up in a couple of areas.
Handmade bird feeders.
I met this creative artist who recycles plates, vases, cups, silverware, gravy bowls, etc. and creates these adorable bird feeders.  She uses colored stones on the plates so that the birds have a place to sit.  Julie Castro (JEWR72@aol.com) is her name and she calls her work Glass Menagerie, Treasures For Your Home.  This is her first year at the Market.
A friend of mine has an organic farm in Cuba City, WI.  I regret not getting some of the strawberries on this visit, but loved the mini, red romaine.  He also sets up his truck at the market in Chicago, IL.  You can find out more information about his farm by clicking Tree of Life Gardens and CSA.  
There were a LOT of meat vendors on site.  Being a vegetarian I politely smiled as I passed their booths.  I only stopped at this one because I thought the flower pot was interesting.
Next week I will be getting a large bag of the kettle corn.  It was delicious!
Loved these recycled copper hummingbird feeders.  Very creative.  Jeff Driscoll is the artist and you can contact him at requestingflyby@yahoo.com
And yes, there were four-legged ones everywhere.  However, I didn’t get their names because I was overwhelmed with cuteness.
Check back this week for another installment of “What’s On My Plate” series.  I’ll be sharing what dishes I made using my farmers market goodies.
Oh, and House (my youngest fur-child) has started practicing yoga.  Seriously, I’m putting together a mini-session for you to try out. 
Until the next word…
~Jennifer