Tomorrow is the Summer Solstice

It is the last day of the spring!

This is a common date for the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere…on: June 20, 2008 at 7:59 PM EDT; and in the UK on June 20, 2008 at 23:59 UTC.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac

The word solstice is from the Latin solstitium, from sol (sun) and stitium (to stop), reflecting the fact that the Sun appears to stop at this time (and again at the winter solstice). In temperate regions, we notice that the Sun is higher in the sky throughout the day, and its rays strike Earth at a more direct angle, causing the efficient warming we call summer. In the winter, just the opposite occurs: The Sun is at its southernmost point and is low in the sky. Its rays hit the Northern Hemisphere at an oblique angle, creating the feeble winter sunlight.

Back from a Whirl Wind Tour

No more to be said than the Wedding in Richmond that we went to was lovely and more delightful than that was seeing our daughters and our son – in – law. [I just love DC] ~ Besides not having to cook, clean, mow, weed eat etc for almost a week was Heavenly. The shopping and restaurants were yummy, delicious and tastefully executed. The company was the best as always! The newly weds soon to be home is sooooooooooooooo adorable! Almost a year ago our daughters took me to Jaleo’s, this time my Sweetie had a chance to try the cuisine, and he liked it. Jaleo offers bite-sized appetizers, which makes sharing the thing to do. The Duck leg confit nectarine sauce is still a fav of mine. They were out of another favorite, grilled quail with honey alioli and rosemary sauce. We did seconds on the sautéed spinach, pine nuts, raisins and apples. Some New places: The Uptown Theater and the Seminary. A Perfect place to see Pirates of the Caribbean 3 This theater opened in 1933, the Uptown is the last movie palace in Washington, DC still showing first run films and was the location of the world premiere of '2001: A Space Odyssey' in April, 1968. We had a driving tour of the Seminary and on another trip we will certainely do the Walking Tour of Forest Glen Seminary.The Seminary was an early 20th century school that features a unique collection of architecture from around the world (including an Italian Villa, a Japanese Pagoda, a Dutch windmill, etc). Of course I had to go see Eastern Market, knowing full well that it is not functioning as it had before the fire. It was like visiting an old friend. A big problem at the market right now is that most people in the DC area think that the market burned to the ground! And that they are not open! Au contraire! The building itself is fine, the structure very much in tact. They have started to re-build the roof and have broken ground on a new temporary structure for the food vendors who lost their businesses inside the South Hall. The market is open every weekend and thriving! Back to Reality??? ~ OH shucky darn, but as always Good to be Home! Before I get back to sharing the advancement of Sarah’s Pond, there are some pictures just ‘Cause!

Hope it looks good! I think he will be pleased.

Technically,

Eggplant is a fruit -- a berry, in fact! Eggplants are related to the tomato and potato, which are in the same family -- the nightshade family. Our Garden Eggs, the luscious delicate Purple Orbs The last of clearing the garden before tilling. These delightful purple Orbs of succulent appeal are destined to become… Eggplant Supreme 1 large eggplant 1 small bell pepper (I use the red and yellow, less FEEDBACK later) 2 ribs of celery [I use more] 1 large onion [I use red because it is prettier] chopped ½ stick butter 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 dash hot sauce 1 cup sharp cheese, grated 1 cup ripe pitted olives, chopped [One extra can for me to munch on] Cracker crumbs {next time I will use one that are seasoned i.e. garlic} * Note cracker crumbs may have added salt so check that and note when adding additional salts. ADD GARLIC I also added Mushrooms Cut up peeled eggplant and steam in a little water on low heat until tender. Sauté celery, onion, and bell pepper in butter [add garlic here]**** Add cooked eggplant. Add Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce and stir. Now add cheese and olives. Taste before adding any salt, for the cheese is salty. Put in baking dish and cover with cracker crumbs. Bake 30 minutes in 375-degree oven. Serves 6 ***Sometimes I add ground beef and or venison, otherwise this is a perfect meatless dish.

Why is it called a Mantis Tiller?

Mantis Tiller Trivia: Because the tiller handles resemble the shape of praying mantis arms, and the praying mantis is a beneficial insect in the garden. A great sense of accomplishment… All that remains is one raised bed with the Eggplant. All of the ‘brush’ has been cleared and hopefully I can get The Painter to take pity on me and at least move it out of the garden. The three wheelbarrows and the one wagon are too full for me to roll out of the way. It is to begin raining again tonight so the timing on the First step in putting the garden to bed has been accomplished. Who knows I just might figure out how to operate THE MANTIS. One last bush to plant tonight, one more tree to stake and just 6 bulbs to plant, I do believe I can manage that. The dehydrator will finish up with the sage before it too is put away; Then the daunting task of cleaning the fridge and the range. But then it is going to rain so how perfect is that? I admit I overdid it yesterday I think moving the “Puddle” was not the wisest decision, but it is moved and that is what I wanted. Someone else will have to get that to the barn.

Countdown to Kickoff and they’re OFF

In a scurry and a flurry only the Neosporin cannot be located. Not too bad actually. Soon awesome waters to relax upon. Now the work begins getting all the froo froo out of the rooms. More pictures to be taken down that I had been in hopes of would have been done earlier. What I cannot move the painters will have to. But that is OK. One last turn of green, red and yellow peppers to dice, laundry etc. HA the normal drill. Possibly tomorrow the damp ground will be less damp so I can tend to what remains in the garden. I am hoping by the weekend all that remains to be done is the final tilling before I seed the winter cover crop. Tonight the Mounties play. Maryland at 7:30 pm

Great timing for the rain

Yup this is what we need for Sarah’s Pond area Two weeping Willows we planted last evening are now enjoying their new freedom to stretch their roots. Then… Horizon called [yes I know I misspelled it] It has been one week we have been without phone service. Last evening as we were getting prepared to plant two new trees the 2nd line rang and it was not the Fax. But it is a FACT! All automated of course, but no time given NOT even a miniscule time frame. So that means I am here all day waiting. Now here is a concept…give the date and then MS automated voice say that a technician will call @ one hour [or what ever] before arrival to confirm all of the above.] At least the shower time would be safe. Then there is always the George Factor. 7 a.m. and the count begins. Time to pick the remaining basil and begin to process. The celery gave forth 3 quarts dehydrated, we will be up to our eyeballs is soups and stew this winter. Now to do the last batch of Basil...UM should have made PESTO Oh well there is always next year. 9:20 a.m. They called will be here in 15 minutes. Yippee! 10:50 a.m. problem solved. Silly of me to worry! But it gets BETTER…can you stand it? I am whisking my sweetie off for some CULTURE…Cornell Gunter’s Coasters, The Platters, and Beary Hobbs’ Drifters mid November. How fun that will be. PS Horizon called, well MS automated voice confirmed the problem had been fixed and what was done. Nice. BUT better … an apology for the long wait and in the next billing a credit of some amount commensurate with the time we had to wait. Neat

Celery the “Fast Vegetable”

Today as I prepare the Celery we grew in our garden I noticed something. As you all know when you crunch on raw celery before and after dipping [reference to Double Dippers, tee hee]. There is a distinctive Crunch sound that permeates the ear of the Cruncher and the innocent passerby. There is as well when one dices it in preparation for dehydrating. Silly? Well yes actually most everyone dices celery sometime during the year. But I was dicing many stalks. So much so that I was able to learn to slice in JUST a way that I could make the celery sound like a squeaky door. It is quiet here this morning, which made it easier to play the celery! OK you all know I am easily amused…just wanted to share! If you want to have more fun with celery remember this experiment? Celery Stalks at Midnight!

FOWL, Coy, even 'zwerg'

A "brouhaha" in the early hours of the dawning light; Scramble, wash the face, get shoes on a go forth to the PO. 6:41 am the call came in piercing the silence that I enjoy in the misty morning. I arrive and draw together the babies into a preheated automobile. Ye gads it was 34 degrees brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! My toes were all a quiver. In German, the Call Duck is known by the title ’zwerg’, meaning 'dwarf'. Call ducks were originally known as Coy ducks or decoy ducks from the Dutch word de kooi meaning 'trap'. We now have 15 ducklings…as well as last week’s new residents! One dozen PEEPS! Peeps are cute little chicks that are very very sweet (kind of like my sweetie!) AKA

The lord of the PEEPS!!!

I did find this rather interesting site as I was gathering information on the Calls! Mom Goose is still nestled at the base of on of the pine trees. While the Mom Goose that was trying to invade my garden relocated among the greenbrier close to a utility pole. The Three Dudes have started bringing me tokens of their love. YUP carcasses of moles!!! The wisteria is almost totally blooming; the asparagus is shooting forth in magnificent profusion; one of my fav veggies.

EARTH DAY April 22, 2006

Yesterday was very productive as I transplanted about 30 tomato plants and 5 pepper plants into our NEW AND IMPROVED Cold frame. [See posting;”It is all about being framed!”] My sweetie has maintained a garden for many years. This year I will be joining his efforts as time is on myside. I will tell you my garlic is to die for. Place an early order for Christmas, or come down to help harvest in late July! Last Year You Planted A Tree This Year, Plant A Seedwww.earthdinner.org, very interesting. April 22, 2006 is the thirty-sixth celebration of Earth Day. This year's theme is Climate Change as Earth Day Network embarks on a three-year campaign focusing on solutions to global warming. Although ideally everyday should be Earth Day, the annual holiday presents the perfect opportunity to learn more about ecology and the environment. Goodness back to food ey? Ummmmmmmm one might think I am a FOODIE!