Another growing season in our part of the world is coming to an end. There are still several things in the garden that are waiting to be harvested and can handle some frost. But not much is growing anymore during the cooler days and increasingly colder nights. End of season garden update ...
Why we are not prepping
Survivalists or preppers who actively prepare for an emergency, disaster, end of the world, or the coming of zombies seem to like our blog. We are sometimes asked about prepping, or what we think about it. In our world, it would seem that everyone should be prepared. However, we do not consider ...
Homemade Hot pepper Flakes or Powder
If you love spicy food this article is for you. But it also goes into the category of preserving the harvest. You might have already noticed if you grew any hot peppers, chilly or cayenne, they are productive! To make homemade hot pepper flakes or powder is the next best step to preserve ...
Homegrown Herbal Tea
Have a cup of homegrown herbal tea with me. And while we are enjoying its soft aroma, and gentle taste, let me tell you how simple it is to grow, preserve and prepare homegrown herbal tea. Why homegrown herbal tea We grow food, not lawn, on our 1/8 acre town lot. Not all plants are edible ...
Canned Cucumber and Tomato Lecho Recipe
Traditionally Lecho is a pepper and tomato stew. We love it and share our favorite recipe here. Then I came across this unusual canned cucumber and tomato lecho recipe. We had to try it, and glad we did. If you like traditional Eastern European recipes, this will be right along with your ...
How To Make Lightly Salted Half-Sour Pickles
This lightly salted half-sour pickle is a traditional recipe that I learned from my mother-in-law. No family gathering was complete without this yummy treat. Crunchy, mildly sour, lightly salty, they complement nicely a festive dinner as well as a snack in between. For these mild half-sour ...
Make ahead, overnight coleslaw recipe
Coleslaw aka coleslaw has become a favorite North American side dish. The name originated from the Dutch settlements. In truth, it's just a cabbage salad that is made and loved around the world. This make-ahead overnight coleslaw recipe comes from Russia. The Russians love cabbage in all forms ...
Dozen Ways to Preserve Zucchini
Zucchini is such a versatile vegetable and there is always an abundance available, more than we can use fresh. Here are over a dozen ways to preserve zucchini for winter. We have used all of them at one time or another. Pick one or two or use them all. There are many varieties of ...
Easy Frozen Strawberries Recipe
This easy frozen strawberries recipe is just right for the season. It's summer and hot outside, so besides eating strawberries fresh right from the plant, having them in breakfast, and meals, we want an easy way to preserve them for winter. Strawberries can be frozen like any other berries, ...
Growing Fruit Trees in Cold Climate Part 1
We love fruit. Juicy, sweet, delicious fruit. Growing up in Central Asia, fruit was a big part of our diet. My (Anna) father moved our family to that area to grow fruit. With hot, dry summers, the fruit was our best crop. Growing fruit trees in a cold climate is a bit of a different story. We are ...
