tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74450731151412491822024-03-12T21:47:41.571-05:00Jim Long's GardenGardening adventures and people I meet along the way.Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.comBlogger358125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-59180817758700923502020-10-20T15:15:00.003-05:002020-10-20T15:25:45.760-05:00LCH Ramblings Pandanamous Fatigue<p>While we enjoy our solitude, our business and plenty of projects, the feeling of pandemic fatigue is increasing. Whenever I have a medical appointment, on-line or in person for blood tests, I have noticed a pattern. The night before my appointment I have dreams, not really nightmares of terror, but unsettling dreams. The locations and people involved are different each time, but the one present situation is being in a room with lots of people and no one but me is wearing a mask. <br /><br />Fortunately those trips away are few and far between, but even with my bi-weekly early morning, no-contact grocery pickup at Wallyworld, the night before is an unsettling mix of mask-less people. I suspect I’m not alone in that response, others may experience their worries in other ways.<br /><br />This week Carroll County Electric came to visit. They’re in the area cutting under and beside the high lines, more severely than normal. If they are expecting ice storms, they seem ready.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjAKuqIxA-x7Mtt8wzzRRbnheCzgdrPSNziVNhxECWyoXE4QkhVxCuAOkKb5NCaz6OY7xo6l852kiHtDosgO7X2RCk6zetJ2TzLwZJBUn3rEI_-m3ZDEOfQfKIQDQSwYASY9bsoFiah8U/s650/Truck-1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjAKuqIxA-x7Mtt8wzzRRbnheCzgdrPSNziVNhxECWyoXE4QkhVxCuAOkKb5NCaz6OY7xo6l852kiHtDosgO7X2RCk6zetJ2TzLwZJBUn3rEI_-m3ZDEOfQfKIQDQSwYASY9bsoFiah8U/s320/Truck-1.jpg" /></a></div>Their truck couldn’t fit through our gate and got stuck for awhile trying to back away. The truck was almost the size of our house, and when they finally extracted it from beside the deck, came in from the other direction and had nearly as much trouble there. The result was cutting back our 20 year old redbud and much older oak.<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><br /><br /> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAC2nhlVj5gGHr9zr0WnEqziRqsREi7HDAOtcPivhSTwV7n0SBLostQUBkTRFQ5iJhSNeB8OFOnpQelc9l9FKOPAJ_xBxh2CNX11Tv_re2msYysi35LZaVGuQD-tOw7E3a-DYPtK97W_j/s650/Truck-north.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAC2nhlVj5gGHr9zr0WnEqziRqsREi7HDAOtcPivhSTwV7n0SBLostQUBkTRFQ5iJhSNeB8OFOnpQelc9l9FKOPAJ_xBxh2CNX11Tv_re2msYysi35LZaVGuQD-tOw7E3a-DYPtK97W_j/s320/Truck-north.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> </p><p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gRMjJaVePPXNHgCbNaXrf1iFnd50NmZH5m4RXAChl6ys1FKuMkrM9kzCXOFXThRhDCFDqmf44sntElxRBxA1BoJ7IJtsYrK3uuCE9hOZWhZhSvukenf5Qang0QhNAtST3CXU2wTUszgQ/s650/After.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="488" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gRMjJaVePPXNHgCbNaXrf1iFnd50NmZH5m4RXAChl6ys1FKuMkrM9kzCXOFXThRhDCFDqmf44sntElxRBxA1BoJ7IJtsYrK3uuCE9hOZWhZhSvukenf5Qang0QhNAtST3CXU2wTUszgQ/s320/After.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redbud in foreground, oak, both trimmed<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>My trip to town Monday, after a night of mask-less characters roaming my sleep, was for a regular blood test to see how my anti-rejection meds are doing. Since I can’t eat before the tests, I did a drive-through from MickeyD’s for bacon-egg McMuffin. Curious about how safe the Kum-n-Go convenience store next door is, I sat in the parking lot and watched how many customers were wearing masks. The ratio turned out to be 10 people without to every 2 people who were masked. So that answers that question of would I go inside to use the bathroom or buy coffee. Certainly not.<br /><br />We have some tiny amount of leaf color on the distant hill, and some nice red in one of the maples in the front yard but for the most part it appears this isn’t going to be a leaf color year to brag about. <br /></p><p></p><p>It was steak grilling weather so I picked up a couple of ribeyes for dinner. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkNSp2zpvgq3BUKNEVrNhgVyCrGEBISeccxBKm-i76G_XPdHnwlN7Yko06WLw8fxPCfBwHjz_6xZYcEzErQpAQnyUhq5SPCfnGW_uShk0fvq9OzgCdHI8lw7G3tCpg-yUuB8xLOK62NB8/s650/Sous-Vous.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="514" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkNSp2zpvgq3BUKNEVrNhgVyCrGEBISeccxBKm-i76G_XPdHnwlN7Yko06WLw8fxPCfBwHjz_6xZYcEzErQpAQnyUhq5SPCfnGW_uShk0fvq9OzgCdHI8lw7G3tCpg-yUuB8xLOK62NB8/s320/Sous-Vous.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>I don't know if you're familiar with Sous-vide (pronounced Sue-Vee) but it's a small miracle as far as I'm concerned. Our good friend, Steve, had sent me one several months back. While we're not big beef eaters, we both enjoy a good steak from time to time. By putting 2 steaks in plastic bags and submerging them in the sous-vous for 3 hours at 135 degrees F, they are then ready for a sizzle on the grill. What's the point? Steak, or chicken or pork, come out greatly tenderized and marinated. This amazing gadget has improved my steak grilling 100%.</p><p>We miss having friends come for dinner, or going to their house, the socializing over a meal is something bonds us together. I love the planning and preparation for meals, the process of looking at new recipes and sometimes mostly following them. We miss, also, a trip out on occasion to one of our favorite restaurants. Sadly, however, that's just not an option now. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hIJBEgyOcMNwj9UXtQ64PsAg5V1fPrGowtQvkej6VJ4nL9P8XQTHawSNTAemJaAyWwWbsF5Of37HDH5-55-6Otqh1WvG3sxIYaWidDfpzF1tYaUw0h9W_HqPQvJkuVJ-lnAXTuPvOW3E/s603/Steak.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="603" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hIJBEgyOcMNwj9UXtQ64PsAg5V1fPrGowtQvkej6VJ4nL9P8XQTHawSNTAemJaAyWwWbsF5Of37HDH5-55-6Otqh1WvG3sxIYaWidDfpzF1tYaUw0h9W_HqPQvJkuVJ-lnAXTuPvOW3E/s320/Steak.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I have a firepit on order, hopefully a way of socializing outdoors this winter on nice evenings. That purchase was inspired by friends, Dan and Susan Krotz, whose firepit is always warmed up and ready to add to vivid conversations.</p><p>On livestock news this week, Josh sold a dozen old hens mixed with some pullets plus the old French Marais rooster originally from our friend Steven Campbell in North Carolina. And he also sold 3 goats, whittling down the herd to 5 for the winter.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbq4s4rVN7EUJ4yIX7yQsSZSeUOVCd3fv8dApJAcVbsPkVJc8OpI-yineYRwB-Jtw0Uf0cjLtHxJ45P0NHSJ3X1EaYO8dSVIgENUjRjMrQC-tBp5upySchVJi3URWNbfv8cIFtOoXnZcb/s650/Goats.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbq4s4rVN7EUJ4yIX7yQsSZSeUOVCd3fv8dApJAcVbsPkVJc8OpI-yineYRwB-Jtw0Uf0cjLtHxJ45P0NHSJ3X1EaYO8dSVIgENUjRjMrQC-tBp5upySchVJi3URWNbfv8cIFtOoXnZcb/s320/Goats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>So that's pretty much the news from here, hanging on, holding our breath for the upcoming election. That sometimes gives me nightmares, as well.</p><p></p><p>Stay safe and keep in touch.</p><p></p><p>Jim & Josh<br /><br /></p>Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0Blue Eye, MO 65611, USA36.5170372 -93.38298698.2068033638211517 -128.5392369 64.827271036178843 -58.226736900000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-80967070744730540352020-07-21T13:49:00.003-05:002020-07-21T13:51:50.433-05:00Fresh Mint TeaWhen most people think of mint they likely think of mint-chocolate
ice cream. Or dried mint leaves for tea. But hey, mint is way more
useful than that. Consider Cold-Pressed Mint Tea. You'll find the recipe
in several of my books on <a href="https://www.longcreekherbs.com/products.php?cat=7">my website</a>.<br />
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If you sort of, kind of like mint tea made from dried mint leaves or those disgusting mint teabags <i>(which are leaves with mint flavoring added),</i> you'll love this upscale, fresh version.<br />
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First,
start off with a handful of fresh mint. Any kind of mint, peppermint,
spearmint, apple mint, whatever you have. And don't obsess over what a
handful is, just harvest a bunch. Double it over, then give it a slight
twist like you were wringing out a dish cloth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsWi5QRvTli0IGniP5RPTxrl2fmc8GbKATLAnGWZ0toidUHhomLmeMeRVfGFJWo3sXFp2LO0_3oJeKRG2rmeBr-KqAuwN_A7NsGPzYggNFMqkSvWqzwalnrdfuDOG6Vn6xyAhrpBeT6g/s1600/Mint-handful.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="650" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsWi5QRvTli0IGniP5RPTxrl2fmc8GbKATLAnGWZ0toidUHhomLmeMeRVfGFJWo3sXFp2LO0_3oJeKRG2rmeBr-KqAuwN_A7NsGPzYggNFMqkSvWqzwalnrdfuDOG6Vn6xyAhrpBeT6g/s320/Mint-handful.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The
goal is to crush it a bit to release the essential oils in the leaves
and stems. And yes, use leaves, stems and flowers if the mint is in
bloom. The whole plant has flavor.<br />
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Next,
put the handful of mint in the bottom of a pitcher, this one probably
holds 3 or 4 quarts, I just grabbed the first pitcher I saw in the
pantry.<br />
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With the mint in the bottom of the pitcher,
next, fill the pitcher all the way up to the top with ice. Don't skimp,
the pitcher needs to be full of ice all the way to the top, with the
mint on the bottom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AF-u4JoKqc0-a_FFRhrvBSWSkfysN8rJKE4e-QPHlFECAEnM285-ruDUtJJ-Cnen5Rtp9AH7yBa_fryy8whb2k_4ikiw-9wo-F_7MV6haFg2C6PgDrXuptzhs8HW6jUpasLu5CdBkko/s1600/Pitcher.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="514" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AF-u4JoKqc0-a_FFRhrvBSWSkfysN8rJKE4e-QPHlFECAEnM285-ruDUtJJ-Cnen5Rtp9AH7yBa_fryy8whb2k_4ikiw-9wo-F_7MV6haFg2C6PgDrXuptzhs8HW6jUpasLu5CdBkko/s320/Pitcher.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
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Now,
with mint and ice in place, add water all the way to the top of the
pitcher. Give it 5 minutes to steep and it is ready to drink. It's
almost like instant tea - only way better. Pour yourself a glass of the
freshest, best tasting mint tea you have ever had.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONxXyceStwU6yB8XqmMOVedMISrgVIeJkKUrSFVcJoFhin2eXqxy33lN_DXiW_igDKHFQ-KeCN85wjMqUDwmaxXl-NSV39M9NgZ2FFyj3Xmqywr3u1lwC73uMZ5uYyL4W4AeFGZwrXl0/s1600/Mint-tea-glass.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="571" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONxXyceStwU6yB8XqmMOVedMISrgVIeJkKUrSFVcJoFhin2eXqxy33lN_DXiW_igDKHFQ-KeCN85wjMqUDwmaxXl-NSV39M9NgZ2FFyj3Xmqywr3u1lwC73uMZ5uYyL4W4AeFGZwrXl0/s320/Mint-tea-glass.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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<span id="goog_907729789">Variations: </span><br />
<span id="goog_907729789">1 - Add several fresh or frozen strawberries.</span><br />
<span id="goog_907729789">2 - Add several slices of cucumber in the bottom with the mint.</span><br />
<span id="goog_907729789">3 - How about slightly crushed watermelon...</span><br />
<span id="goog_907729789">4 - Fresh raspberries added is another great flavor.</span><br />
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<b><span id="goog_907729789">Bottom line, this is a no-calorie, refreshing summer beverage.</span></b><br />
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<span id="goog_907729789">And
if you are really adventurous, the next time you are hot and sweaty
from working outdoors, pour some of this refreshing tea into a wash
cloth and soothe your hot face and skin. You will be amazed at how much
better this makes your skin feel.</span><br />
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<span id="goog_907729789"> </span>Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-40069771697099164382020-07-16T12:07:00.000-05:002020-07-16T12:08:36.941-05:00A Trip to RushAny travel is a challenge at the moment for everyone. For those of us in the high-risk category there are extra worries, precautions, preparations, anxiety to deal with. Josh and I do very little away from the farm. He makes a trip each week to check on employees at the Sheltered Workshop who do product our packaging. I go off-farm about once every 10 days to do the early morning grocery drive-up and pickup outside WallyWorld.<br />
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Yesterday was a fun change of pace and we made a trip to the ghost town of Rush, Arkansas. Or more precisely, to visit friends who live near there, close to the Buffalo National River. The trip was part business, part pleasure. There were no stops along the way, we took our own picnic food and our friends made their own lunch and we sat in the shaded patio outside and visited. This is David and Donna, long time friends and self-sufficient homesteaders.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gksMHCkTI9ugDfVVdOtrEx-T_gmbNwBGR1Nc8lpOfXGKIRj46DeRjYLsMLyKeVC8C0wIm4TPBZfXbzdEWDnp7eqntxCAJUM25Hfh_nf9Fs22zfkKe4atE95cxqJuLKgUHPVm0OamYqn4/s1600/David-Donna-Mervis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="595" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gksMHCkTI9ugDfVVdOtrEx-T_gmbNwBGR1Nc8lpOfXGKIRj46DeRjYLsMLyKeVC8C0wIm4TPBZfXbzdEWDnp7eqntxCAJUM25Hfh_nf9Fs22zfkKe4atE95cxqJuLKgUHPVm0OamYqn4/s320/David-Donna-Mervis.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">David and Donna, adventurous homesteaders. They aren't your ordinary Ma and Pa Kettle.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They escaped New Orleans the day before hurricane Katrina hit, moving first to Fayetteville while working on establishing their homestead.<br />
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Their goal: live on the land in a beautiful location away from the city and produce all, or at least most, of everything they consume. To do that, they have extensive gardens, chickens, goats, bees, a production kitchen, greenhouses, orchards, berries and more. Canning, drying, freezing keep the larders filled.<br />
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Donna is working this year with dye plants, particularly woad, indigo and other textile dye plants, which they are growing in the garden. Donna is an incredible designer and artist so I expect to see some amazing weaving as a result of her experiments in the future.<br />
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Both David and Donna are musical and it isn't unusual for acquaintances to come visit, musicians, puppeteers, artists from across the country. The farm is like an arts oasis in the deep woods. <i>(Interesting example, the NPR commentator, author, blogger, Andreu Cordrescu, is a neighbor when he's not in New York).</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKTEvb_aap20FuC_r2-3IxmDsj1CCGUOUfqmmTgg3PYqmCuw0MOU6oteZsdLmVd3Tf6bqr1_jIFv_ouCriMsVsSs8TNid-a2UGmLCfrw-QEKNC7aM9D2QLc86tSiJudT8NG6Y9nfyIfN_/s1600/Buckwheat-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKTEvb_aap20FuC_r2-3IxmDsj1CCGUOUfqmmTgg3PYqmCuw0MOU6oteZsdLmVd3Tf6bqr1_jIFv_ouCriMsVsSs8TNid-a2UGmLCfrw-QEKNC7aM9D2QLc86tSiJudT8NG6Y9nfyIfN_/s320/Buckwheat-house.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View of the house from a section of garden. On the left is a field of buckwheat, a green fodder cover crop that will be plowed under to help with soil fertility. In the meantime, nearby hives of bees are collecting nectar for some amazing buckwheat honey.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqvvIRgc8TZyI4uCpVFxQxu0pmxRa8wUpiDwgTOm1ZVZ7aykFyiZFOwMVYYPy_MF-6pHDn4-7YppBxxHJ6mc0iB9GdT2Vof3hQjd7cBEiVrEhxO4y-q58sp-ZGITEIxF212Ojt6cs-quW/s1600/Arbor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqvvIRgc8TZyI4uCpVFxQxu0pmxRa8wUpiDwgTOm1ZVZ7aykFyiZFOwMVYYPy_MF-6pHDn4-7YppBxxHJ6mc0iB9GdT2Vof3hQjd7cBEiVrEhxO4y-q58sp-ZGITEIxF212Ojt6cs-quW/s320/Arbor.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Grape arbor. There aren't many things edible, they don't grow.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLahdAwvt6nYGkdU9TlPIWrfMPxTKDcq5fDCtC9JXCx3_8sYiAfRHL2WSubmIU6pecT1DZmLiPsn_4UuDWnjm7bXxbuQGnEJ_Av9Jiv4D5Jwt7Oz9I_1p6_D_yWUVq1ISgFikouY6EXDz/s1600/Basil-peanuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLahdAwvt6nYGkdU9TlPIWrfMPxTKDcq5fDCtC9JXCx3_8sYiAfRHL2WSubmIU6pecT1DZmLiPsn_4UuDWnjm7bXxbuQGnEJ_Av9Jiv4D5Jwt7Oz9I_1p6_D_yWUVq1ISgFikouY6EXDz/s320/Basil-peanuts.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rows of basil and peanuts. Not shown in the photos are the greenhouses where they grow tomatoes, peppers and salad crops during winter months. Drip irrigation provides irrigation throughout. </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7I3tPBXZCrvXNwt474NmJ4E_FcsOZVuOxUQ7G7hBL-pBEBQOiXr4EcxmPC0mlpazVMjADJ_jD69nLPDJS5U72M6bt7LfemIxf9GrZ4fp_isXevD6IaDwZTOz4MsryfkuQgCX-jXxIuuPd/s1600/Bee-food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7I3tPBXZCrvXNwt474NmJ4E_FcsOZVuOxUQ7G7hBL-pBEBQOiXr4EcxmPC0mlpazVMjADJ_jD69nLPDJS5U72M6bt7LfemIxf9GrZ4fp_isXevD6IaDwZTOz4MsryfkuQgCX-jXxIuuPd/s320/Bee-food.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Flowers for bees and butterflies provide pollinators for the vegetable crops.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdj0cB61kZ8jLoAa4n61mp2YXUICo91S2RsRyNouwyK1RwGM-cOrEK0HXp64_-kqiEXUQkNf_5vWU7hR9bWfmC-NNKT09tadhA43UOybyzRIr7jYpGCJVYwVj4qsGDIShCMiY2uWU_yLua/s1600/Chicken-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdj0cB61kZ8jLoAa4n61mp2YXUICo91S2RsRyNouwyK1RwGM-cOrEK0HXp64_-kqiEXUQkNf_5vWU7hR9bWfmC-NNKT09tadhA43UOybyzRIr7jYpGCJVYwVj4qsGDIShCMiY2uWU_yLua/s320/Chicken-house.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Probably the best, most tasteful chicken house in Arkansas! Barely visible is the double electric fencing that surrounds the entire 2+ acres of garden.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXumM45t883-vIOdOFJvLgsVqn46to8lwaXd8Xp_6le4JiFSVs55YDr4wCDm89U8yXlkiaSCTzmD2bqBTvF0XvgdHTp9BxUW8se9D0HDxABWpzFyMHzOtn9Ul0yARhzqGI5brgShAOE_h/s1600/Gate-shed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXumM45t883-vIOdOFJvLgsVqn46to8lwaXd8Xp_6le4JiFSVs55YDr4wCDm89U8yXlkiaSCTzmD2bqBTvF0XvgdHTp9BxUW8se9D0HDxABWpzFyMHzOtn9Ul0yARhzqGI5brgShAOE_h/s320/Gate-shed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Produce shed for drying onions, beans, peanuts, potatoes, squash with a tasteful gate in the distance. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-eXrUDob6kNR1troUR8w5C3uznVkWkBw6CeMQSZts-okAnGC-wY4hQKh9d5nLskkObxNCq943jillEfFgGWB3o68sxnbVUIil-dQqjhZ1FSkrt56hXRkPw9U1xg5c5ZPH05GqGyG2G3T/s1600/Goat-barn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-eXrUDob6kNR1troUR8w5C3uznVkWkBw6CeMQSZts-okAnGC-wY4hQKh9d5nLskkObxNCq943jillEfFgGWB3o68sxnbVUIil-dQqjhZ1FSkrt56hXRkPw9U1xg5c5ZPH05GqGyG2G3T/s320/Goat-barn.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The goat barn, heaven for the goat herd, fun for the eyes, Josh admiring.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqOK52p32b_9fCyRt5Lx7Ss3SL0XAYsLO2O91v8PRz-4Tx8fmOVLIYIbkUu7VJILR18IVJio8yCdpoaeW-d6rmD33xFu0Si5G4x94YHGbRMr49Gzras9vhwkvCF3JXEQfmoEKQYX7gQAO/s1600/IMG_3670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqOK52p32b_9fCyRt5Lx7Ss3SL0XAYsLO2O91v8PRz-4Tx8fmOVLIYIbkUu7VJILR18IVJio8yCdpoaeW-d6rmD33xFu0Si5G4x94YHGbRMr49Gzras9vhwkvCF3JXEQfmoEKQYX7gQAO/s320/IMG_3670.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just a gorgeous zinnia. They are about to add more large growing areas for cut flowers.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NqU7hYRGK2sOaLS72i4H3tC1259IgEbWu5OsTutoRoTEWWBHhBCYi0CtDdicudLvWWYCkbyK6M-zTNpHAQPij8yC6BaWRdbkJDAqhYOtEX7CWTSD660-igWjs-e7wHUT863jQ4EJkLNz/s1600/Single-guesthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NqU7hYRGK2sOaLS72i4H3tC1259IgEbWu5OsTutoRoTEWWBHhBCYi0CtDdicudLvWWYCkbyK6M-zTNpHAQPij8yC6BaWRdbkJDAqhYOtEX7CWTSD660-igWjs-e7wHUT863jQ4EJkLNz/s320/Single-guesthouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The smaller of two intern cabins. The other is more dorm-like, with several rooms, a central area with a kitchen, and a great room including a grand piano. Lucky interns who get to work in this wonderful place!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ca1KvVXf6D-UccnpLxMcSTLZFA5uHwi40Du2knkCNXI74e47WJ-kmuKeB8Vn4leAuN5bBVBVJZflmA7d6AZPmc_FQ5UR4Y_DQfoWKnIMUmP1Hi54ivDA08Lwl8qNHrcvTm5Xx87ttPYq/s1600/Truck-patch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ca1KvVXf6D-UccnpLxMcSTLZFA5uHwi40Du2knkCNXI74e47WJ-kmuKeB8Vn4leAuN5bBVBVJZflmA7d6AZPmc_FQ5UR4Y_DQfoWKnIMUmP1Hi54ivDA08Lwl8qNHrcvTm5Xx87ttPYq/s320/Truck-patch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Josh and David, admiring the truck patch. The truck harbors an arbor for squash. Just think, most people would haul away an old junk vehicle, but why, when you can grow a crop there?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">And that is our trip to David & Donna's farmstead, a fine roadtrip and a fun visit with friends. </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<span id="goog_824778634"></span><span id="goog_824778635"></span><br />Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-58376006326488703952019-10-30T13:13:00.000-05:002019-10-30T13:13:03.762-05:00Long Creek Herbs Persimmon Pudding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintwjJpjr5iW005h7yPepkxbsVzEmzydXjVrmVu3OoqQGb2r8pGTl2tH74Zl1bWTmPAlbv5AdUfGkXOt5aq6GBGNWERXcmNlLzLZDhKjGvUJHcVFkdwMoYcwPBTqDbN55093HshhnevwdQ/s1600/Persimmons.lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintwjJpjr5iW005h7yPepkxbsVzEmzydXjVrmVu3OoqQGb2r8pGTl2tH74Zl1bWTmPAlbv5AdUfGkXOt5aq6GBGNWERXcmNlLzLZDhKjGvUJHcVFkdwMoYcwPBTqDbN55093HshhnevwdQ/s320/Persimmons.lr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This has been about a perfect season for persimmons. The trees are full of sweet, ripe persimmons. I gather them as the fall from the tree to make pudding and freeze some pulp for later.<br />
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The first thing is to separate the seeds from the pulp. We have a couple of trees that have fewer seeds than some of the other trees and I gather those.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soft, ripe persimmons picked from under the tree.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A potato ricer is the easiest way I've found to extract the pulp.</td></tr>
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<br /><br />A potato ricer works very well for extracting the pulp. Just fill it only about half full, it’s easier to squeeze that way and actually faster than if you forced larger amounts through.<br /><br /><br />
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Once you have the pulp extracted you can freeze it, or turn it into persimmon pudding. I’ve tried many recipes of the years and this one I found on a cooking show is one of my favorites. I made a couple of changes so I think I can claim it as mine, but I credit it to the guy who originated it years ago.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTvFxU5AI1J-Hqf_w_38rLrGIxHtv6R3kmSmOp7A-GYNsmSSkDcHmfaTV6aaoO8Y3x41CJAi7aPte428X4zHoilB-gr-o5EnX6Hvjt02RA_orESUpfbMX8wgz-Ppq5F9rIMxXANUa9Q4G/s1600/Pulp.lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="600" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTvFxU5AI1J-Hqf_w_38rLrGIxHtv6R3kmSmOp7A-GYNsmSSkDcHmfaTV6aaoO8Y3x41CJAi7aPte428X4zHoilB-gr-o5EnX6Hvjt02RA_orESUpfbMX8wgz-Ppq5F9rIMxXANUa9Q4G/s320/Pulp.lr.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You'll need 2 cups of pulp for the pudding.</td></tr>
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<b>Persimmon Pudding </b><br /><i>Originally from Bill Neel, Cooks Corner</i><br />2 cups pureed persimmon pulp<br />2 cups buttermilk<br />1 stick butter, room temp<br />1 1/4 cups sugar<br />3 eggs<br />1 1/2 cups flour<br />1/2 tsp salt<br />1 tsp baking soda<br />1/2 tsp nutmeg<br />1/2 tsp ginger<br />1 tsp cinnamon<br /><br />Preheat oven to 350 C.<br />Butter a 9 x 9 pan<br />Cream the butter and sugar<br />Add eggs, then persimmon pulp, mixing<br />Mix together dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking soda, spices) then add to persimmon mixture<br />Pour into greased baking dish. Set that inside a larger pan with water.<br />Bake at 350 for 2 hours. <span style="color: red;">Yes, 2 hours. Because of the amount of buttermilk it takes that long.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"> </span><br />It’s not a pretty pudding but my oh my does it taste wonderful!<br /><br />
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Serve with whipped cream.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwdi8YUxbvCV-1XrN9HNXKYocfpA2V_TODYdLC76KM5r031EqiBE3_TlXUNozjllM3sOgulX9hmc3kf0vKdf46xY1rLlcLAbuX01NN5EmOuH9gpQm-_QONwC_2qRkFAs16bcONhL5H3WV/s1600/Pudding-plate.lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwdi8YUxbvCV-1XrN9HNXKYocfpA2V_TODYdLC76KM5r031EqiBE3_TlXUNozjllM3sOgulX9hmc3kf0vKdf46xY1rLlcLAbuX01NN5EmOuH9gpQm-_QONwC_2qRkFAs16bcONhL5H3WV/s320/Pudding-plate.lr.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pudding is moist, sweet and delicious!</td></tr>
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<br />Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-9155763943171695232019-09-21T15:50:00.000-05:002019-09-21T15:56:28.735-05:00<a href="mailto:Longcreekherbs@yahoo.com" target="_blank">Bountiful Zucchini</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Zucchini is one of those vegetables we have difficulty growing. Between
squash bugs, cucumber beetles and squash vine borers, we seldom get a
crop, and often don't even try. We've used every trick in the book for
organic control of those pests, none of which work. But, last fall, and
again this one, I took a chance and planted zucchini seed late in the
season. These zucchini were planted in late August and began producing
fruit Sep. 18.</span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TsuUe5LEM7XwHaxzAMl85t15hX3PkENfaQ5741zLIGLIHUj1XJDb2y4eXRaY50aLVth87dKCznz-MKGlaGT1P0Yifeqcr6BGScw0tQgkC3EGvUuftKvfA74-L8ms-soSBj2EQDYRFRLF/s1600/Zucchini-Sep-2014.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TsuUe5LEM7XwHaxzAMl85t15hX3PkENfaQ5741zLIGLIHUj1XJDb2y4eXRaY50aLVth87dKCznz-MKGlaGT1P0Yifeqcr6BGScw0tQgkC3EGvUuftKvfA74-L8ms-soSBj2EQDYRFRLF/s1600/Zucchini-Sep-2014.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zucchini plants started producing on Sep 18.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even though most gardeners, and all their neighbors, are probably tired
of even seeing a zucchini, we're just tickled to have some. Josh planted
the seed for these, 7 plants, and we're getting 2-3 baby zucchini per
plant every other day, plus a few large ones we've overlooked. I've been
making these for our supper, based on a recipe I used last year called
Faux Crabcakes. It's pretty good and the recipe follows.<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Zucchini Fritters</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<br />
<i>I shred the *zucchini first, then the onion, pepper and garlic in the food processor, which just takes seconds. </i><br />
(About) 4 cups shredded zucchini<br />
1/2 yellow onion, shredded or diced<br />
2 tablespoons diced, any favorite pepper - I use half of a Jalapeno, but you can use bell pepper <br />
2 cloves garlic, minced or shredded <br />
1 cup breadcrumbs<br />
2-3 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese, optional <br />
3 eggs<br />
1 teaspoon Old Bay seafood seasoning <br />
<br />
*Shred the zucchini, sprinkle with salt, mix and set aside. for 10
minutes while you assemble everything else. Rinse with cool water, drain
and squeeze dry.<br />
Combine remaining ingredients with zucchini, mixing well. If the mixture is too dry to stick together, add another egg.<br />
<br />
Form into patties about 3-4 inches across and drop into medium-hot
vegetable oil. Cook until golden brown, turn over the brown the other
side. Keep hot while you cook the remaining patties. This makes 4-5
patties.<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PNSyBPK9KuSA4qFVp_PDNjbmUGS5iR8sw8TpxhGTZhZOaUKravA3NwAin5mye6-UxTS5xnMmeM882tzdxoGbbhyphenhyphenQ91Q18Iaw79dWNOQhb9LrSwJG_VA-e7MsBTvFNWEJBzvLiW_YjmW5/s1600/Zucchini-cakes-frying.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PNSyBPK9KuSA4qFVp_PDNjbmUGS5iR8sw8TpxhGTZhZOaUKravA3NwAin5mye6-UxTS5xnMmeM882tzdxoGbbhyphenhyphenQ91Q18Iaw79dWNOQhb9LrSwJG_VA-e7MsBTvFNWEJBzvLiW_YjmW5/s1600/Zucchini-cakes-frying.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Zucchini patties cooking. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3q63EvdOl900v1EAe0ixsZ7XnkbS1dyCtT3_j72ii9AOxIw7Zmiw7jtEVUXgD23WL0WwWQ8bLzwdOxybhxAwAxjVjWrZNb4HHe52d9rCx9g95Y2wiyJEK2hDPeBvAAF8XZP4YR8-CrfK/s1600/Zucchini,-kale-2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3q63EvdOl900v1EAe0ixsZ7XnkbS1dyCtT3_j72ii9AOxIw7Zmiw7jtEVUXgD23WL0WwWQ8bLzwdOxybhxAwAxjVjWrZNb4HHe52d9rCx9g95Y2wiyJEK2hDPeBvAAF8XZP4YR8-CrfK/s1600/Zucchini,-kale-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fritters, tomatoes and creamed kale, the garden is good!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-40050716014279384592018-12-30T13:32:00.002-06:002018-12-30T13:32:52.985-06:00<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
Elephant Garlic Pie
</h3>
<div class="post-header">
</div>
Back in the 1980s, on a cold day in January I was preparing for the
arrival of a newspaper reporter. She was coming to interview me to ask
what was in the garden in that cold that month. When she had called a week earlier,
she said she was looking for a garden story idea but assumed there was
nothing still in the ground and maybe we could do a story on soil
preparation. I explained that with our mild Ozarks winters, that yes, I
did still have food growing in my garden. Carrots and leeks were still
in the ground, lettuce, peas and spinach were growing in a cold frame.
As is my custom when reporters come, I invited her for lunch, to taste a
bit of the garden.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOB_qcoFlbxTVqiSEyT3eMF81SVyrEHlQJRRcssEpHRLMgIYqqJUSLAUDEqr0zDpBVLLb8OdgH-AarUUvi9AogWjIFVI2NQd_jaD5pOHoIoT_Ch22lgK_CgMOxHgeawP5kekvSeVJH0Wb_/s1600/Crustless-quiche.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOB_qcoFlbxTVqiSEyT3eMF81SVyrEHlQJRRcssEpHRLMgIYqqJUSLAUDEqr0zDpBVLLb8OdgH-AarUUvi9AogWjIFVI2NQd_jaD5pOHoIoT_Ch22lgK_CgMOxHgeawP5kekvSeVJH0Wb_/s400/Crustless-quiche.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephant Pie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
That day we dug carrots and picked lettuce and spinach for her photos.
Those went into a salad, which I served with Elephant Pie. Elephant <u><i>Garlic</i></u>
Pie, that is. I like elephant garlic as a vegetable, it has a mild,
sweet flavor that works well in all sorts of dishes. Even steamed and
buttered, it's delicious.<br />
<br />
Elephant garlic, you may not know, was first introduced to the gardening world by our friends at <a href="http://www.nicholsgardennursery.com/">Nichols Garden Nursery</a> in 1941. (Someone later gave Luther Burbank credit, but the documentation is clear, <u>the first elephant garlic, along with the name, started with Nichols Garden Nursery in Albany, Oregon</u>.<br />
<br />
Areas of the famous Willamette Valley, known for its mild climate and
amazingly fertile soil, was settled partly by immigrants from
Czechoslovakia and Northern Yugoslavia. Mr. Nichols discovered that some
of these folks were growing a gigantic variety of garlic, mild in
flavor and vastly different from any garlic he had ever seen. The immigrants had
brought this unusual garlic with them from the Old Country. He purchased
12 pounds as seed stock in 1941 and began cultivating it. When he
finally had enough to sell, he began advertising in newspapers and
magazines. In 1953 he gave it the name, <span style="color: red;">elephant garlic</span>.
Back then, he was the only one selling it and when you ordered elephant
garlic from Nichols, in your order you received a little pamphlet with
growing and storing instructions. He sold elephant garlic across the
U.S., Canada and to many places overseas. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrVe_0RuKKjtxMom_LbWT5xXFZcwyUu9v1cDuU2CiysY8vySVekbJX9C7k3sCAZOwz5Iu4YvRyDdRh5xokCJdoh6QZLXHvbbj4piRADEo5tIV0I_U9UMHkTOC1NIqOcs1uq7ON_Jvsy6F/s1600/Elephant-garlic-pamphlet-edit.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrVe_0RuKKjtxMom_LbWT5xXFZcwyUu9v1cDuU2CiysY8vySVekbJX9C7k3sCAZOwz5Iu4YvRyDdRh5xokCJdoh6QZLXHvbbj4piRADEo5tIV0I_U9UMHkTOC1NIqOcs1uq7ON_Jvsy6F/s400/Elephant-garlic-pamphlet-edit.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original pamphlet that accompanied orders, in 1953</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I just planted my elephant garlic this past week from some I ordered
from Nichols. I prefer to plant it in September, but things were too
busy this year. I've actually planted it as late as the first of
December and it has done well, thanks to our fairly mild winters here.
Next summer, probably about mid to late June, my elephant garlic will be ready
to dig. You can still order some for planting from Nichols. I've seen it
in the produce department of several grocery stores if you want to get
some to cook, but to get a start to grow, of the original, authentic
elephant garlic, <a href="https://www.nicholsgardennursery.com/store/product-info.php?Elephant-Garlic-pid1269.html">order from Nichols</a>. (Every other nursery or seed
company that sells elephant garlic, can trace their original sources
back to Nichols). Here's my Elephant Garlic Pie recipe. It's like a
quiche and you can add a regular pie crust if you wish, but I usually
make mine crust-less because it cuts down a bit on the carbohydrates and
fat.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Elephant Garlic Pie</b></div>
5-6 cloves elephant garlic, sliced<br />
1 tablespoon butter or olive oil<br />
4 eggs<br />
1 can evaporated milk<br />
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese<br />
1 cup chopped fresh spinach<br />
1 cup diced, thinly-sliced ham (leave it out if you don't eat meat)<br />
1 tablespoon cooking sherry<br />
1/4 teaspoon any brand hot sauce<br />
2 green onions, diced<br />
Salt and pepper to taste<br />
<ol>
<li>Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.</li>
<li>Saute the sliced elephant garlic in olive oil or butter until tender, about 5 minutes.</li>
<li>Beat the eggs and milk together; add the cooking sherry, hot sauce, green onions and salt and pepper. </li>
<li>In a oiled pie plate, layer the garlic, cheese, spinach and ham,
then pour the egg mixture over. Dust with a bit of paprika if desired.</li>
<li>Bake until a knife inserted comes out clean, about 35-40 minutes. Let set for 5 minutes before serving.</li>
</ol>
<a href="https://www.nicholsgardennursery.com/">Nichols Garden Nursery</a>
also is the source of my favorite sour dough starter. Mr. Nichols got
the start in the late 1940s from a friend who'd been a logger in Alaska.
They sell it in powdered form and you mix it with your own bread flour
and get it started. We make 2 loaves of sourdough bread a week here at
the farm. Sourdough bread is considerably easier for diabetics to eat
and Nichols' starter is the best tasting I've ever had. (I don't care
for the San Francisco sourdough breads, they're too, well, sour, for me,
but Nichols'<a href="https://www.nicholsgardennursery.com/store/product-info.php?pid398.html"> Oregon Pioneer starter</a> tastes lots better). Here are a couple of recent loaves of sourdough bread we've made.<br />
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwfAfP7cIpGOtDs-19xIssKWoXEdFLuXL_Ss1sE02-a1j0tLSt4jCC4jYt39DJzdyRmG2L8pf4X7VCnCIgZzlFexHBgMSocg6Wr-6VwuK7H2Oja9YquoNhJtJnqSiTdbGvSas3PaUlKNA/s1600/Sourdough-Bread.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwfAfP7cIpGOtDs-19xIssKWoXEdFLuXL_Ss1sE02-a1j0tLSt4jCC4jYt39DJzdyRmG2L8pf4X7VCnCIgZzlFexHBgMSocg6Wr-6VwuK7H2Oja9YquoNhJtJnqSiTdbGvSas3PaUlKNA/s400/Sourdough-Bread.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPtXzcRsa7aWoIiWhxUF28-UFLoZD70rcDJHjGPOTltHd4ANSZxCSzuNgKDxsQF5zdksjHE3X1jXseGNMiXhOApx4tsEG6h8RINSV-OUXN5czx9qW0iCEi4BcIUEXLmIJbpo3VRIh08K8/s1600/Bread,-homemade-copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPtXzcRsa7aWoIiWhxUF28-UFLoZD70rcDJHjGPOTltHd4ANSZxCSzuNgKDxsQF5zdksjHE3X1jXseGNMiXhOApx4tsEG6h8RINSV-OUXN5czx9qW0iCEi4BcIUEXLmIJbpo3VRIh08K8/s400/Bread,-homemade-copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshly-baked sourdough bread is simply delicious!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-75460821947692596822018-01-13T16:20:00.001-06:002018-01-13T16:20:35.442-06:00Jim's Chicken Tortilla Soup<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrPWbnnM16wFoamzBYby55k01xg3KFhmvozACQiqRfsY3BDamd_R9Ecn5WH7FD2-ONehvWm1gzwetn9oRyP1Fef6ejWGsd8F_PCd2cztCeK-maCizr9DBQ6tag6iwEIJ5Ru1R1ZocdRAV/s1600/Chicken-Tortilla-Soup.sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrPWbnnM16wFoamzBYby55k01xg3KFhmvozACQiqRfsY3BDamd_R9Ecn5WH7FD2-ONehvWm1gzwetn9oRyP1Fef6ejWGsd8F_PCd2cztCeK-maCizr9DBQ6tag6iwEIJ5Ru1R1ZocdRAV/s320/Chicken-Tortilla-Soup.sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I've tried tortilla soup in many restaurants over the years, some are ok, some have left me wishing I'd ordered something else. This week I was inspired to make a batch myself. I began by looking at recipes online, some sounded good, some were downright goofy.<br />
<br />
My habit is to avoid recipes that call for a can of this and a can of that, but rather than make this complicated, I resorted to 3 canned ingredients: tomatoes, black beans and hominy. If you have any of those on hand, made from scratch, certainly use them.<br />
<br />
I found a recipe that sounded pretty good but as always happens when I try to follow someone else's recipe, I thought of ways I'd rather do it. So what follows is my recipe and you're welcome to share it. When I served it last night, Josh declared, "This is the best soup you've ever made!" I think I'm a pretty good soup maker so I was pleased at the compliment. I have to agree that it is the best tortilla soup I've ever eaten. Don't be put off by the ingredient list, it's worth the effort.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Chicken Tortilla Soup</b></div>
6 tablespoons cooking oil <br />8 6-inch corn tortillas, folded in half and sliced into 1/4 inch ribbons<br />1 onion, chopped<br />5 garlic cloves, crushed<br />*1 tablespoon paprika<br />*2 teaspoons ground cumin<br />*1 teaspoon coriander<br />*1/4 teaspoon cayenne<br />1 12 quarts chicken broth<br />3 cups canned crushed tomatoes (or whole tomatoes if that's all you have on hand)<br />2 bay leaves<br />2 teaspoons salt<br />1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves plus 3 tablespoons chopped for topping<br />2 large, cooked chicken breasts, diced<br />1 11-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed<br />1 11-ounce can golden hominy, drained<br />1 avocado diced<br />1/4 pound grated cheddar cheese<br />1 fresh lime<br /><br />
Heat the oil in a large cooking pot. Add the tortilla strips in batches, turning once, frying until crispy - about 2 minutes per batch. Repeat with rest of the strips, draining all and keeping warm.<br /><br />Reduce heat, add onion and garlic.<br />While the onions are simmering, heat a small dry skillet (don't add oil) to hot and add the cumin and coriander, stirring, until they release their fragrance - about 1 to 2 minutes. Add paprika and cayenne and remove skillet from heat. Immediately scrape the spices into the onions and garlic and stir.<br /><br />Add the tomatoes, broth, bay leaves and salt to the cooking pot and cook for 5 minutes. Add 1/3 of the cooked tortilla strips. Cook, uncovered for 30 minutes. <br />Remove bay leaves and let soup cool for about 10 minutes until you can safely blend in a blender.<br /><br />In small batches, pour the soup mixture into a blender and puree until smooth. Return the puree back to the soup pot and bring to a slow simmer.<br />Add the diced chicken breasts and the 1/4 cup fresh cilantro.<br />Add an 11 ounce can of drained and rinsed black beans and one 11 ounce can of drained golden hominy. <br />Squeeze juice of 1/2 fresh lime. Let the soup return to a simmer and it’s ready to serve.<br /><br />To serve, ladle soup into bowls, top with grated cheddar, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado and tortilla strips. Serve with a slice of lime on the side.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7s7dj2wYWGVpRRxTgqBgzm0UujEzPbRVaY95XNRqU9DIWObPerahbkwtrRqOIf_ckp7uhXamBLaPa7vgZqPtv4nZkWdg_e9arpnJOJypgzg5IOauclOWPdfRyeXLPZQwO3EV_KyEcT5g/s1600/Chicken-Tortilla-Soup.sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7s7dj2wYWGVpRRxTgqBgzm0UujEzPbRVaY95XNRqU9DIWObPerahbkwtrRqOIf_ckp7uhXamBLaPa7vgZqPtv4nZkWdg_e9arpnJOJypgzg5IOauclOWPdfRyeXLPZQwO3EV_KyEcT5g/s400/Chicken-Tortilla-Soup.sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-70572569560174568332017-10-22T12:48:00.000-05:002017-10-22T12:48:07.700-05:00Oatmeal Apple Raisin CakeI think I should go through my old recipe files more often. When I found the previous recipe from 1977 - the Apple Cake, I also found some even older recipes I'd saved. This one, for Oatmeal Cake is from a newspaper clipping about 1950 that my mother had saved. The recipe fairly matches one from my Grandma Long's recipes of the 1930s, so it was probably a widely shared recipe of the time. The original, in my memory, was moist and delicious. Well, I wasn't wrong, this is really good. I had it with an omelette for breakfast this morning.<br />
<br />
I can't help but tinker and update recipes, especially old ones, so here is my version, updated, for Oatmeal Apple Raisin Cake.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZSB-ENKJXe0N_XzF8quViSeXQvQrl8u4N88Qt5-udO4g7wtyPupCO4YP7dGSmEgPUX8pFPu9HWTubP5sBE3xuDfn7bDr4BI8FT-Hkk1KuBs9VWR12j4XiKKy7oTlvoPMI4w_IQ6Ohzjv/s1600/Oatmeal-cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZSB-ENKJXe0N_XzF8quViSeXQvQrl8u4N88Qt5-udO4g7wtyPupCO4YP7dGSmEgPUX8pFPu9HWTubP5sBE3xuDfn7bDr4BI8FT-Hkk1KuBs9VWR12j4XiKKy7oTlvoPMI4w_IQ6Ohzjv/s400/Oatmeal-cake.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why, you may ask, is it only half a cake? Because we had eaten half before I remembered to take the photo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.<br /><br />1 cup quick oats (or if you have regular oats, chop for 5 seconds in the food processor)<br />1/2 cup sugar<br />3/4 cup brown sugar<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br />1/2 teaspoon cinnamon<br />1 teaspoon baking soda<br />1/2 teaspoon baking powder<br />1/2 cup - 1 stick, butter <br />1 1/2 cups boiling water, into which you put:<br />
3/4 cup golden raisins and 1/2 cup diced dried apples<br />1/2 cup shortening<br />2 eggs<br /><br />1- Slowly simmer raisins and dried apples for 10 minutes.<br /><br />2- Cream together the 2 sugars and butter, then add the eggs and mix.<br />3- Mix together the flour, salt, cinnamon, baking soda and baking powder with the oats.<br />4- Pour in in the sugar-shortening mixture, then add the very hot water with the raisins and dried apples.<br />5- Add 1/2 cups nuts if desired.<br />
Pour into a oiled 9 x 13 inch baking pan and bake for about 25 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.<br /><br />Cool, then add icing if desired (I like it without the icing):<br />6 tablespoons butter at room temperature<br />3/4 cup brown sugar <br />1/2 cup half and half<br />1 teaspoon vanilla<br />1 cup flaked, unsweetened coconut<br />1 cup chopped pecans or other favorite nuts<br /><br />In medium bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, half and half and beat until smooth. Add coconut and nuts and spread on cooled cake.<br />Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-17159386511742239142017-10-18T11:34:00.001-05:002017-10-18T11:34:08.914-05:00Jim Long's Garden: Jim Long's Apple Cake<a href="http://jimlongsgarden.blogspot.com/2017/10/jim-longs-apple-cake.html">Jim Long's Garden: Jim Long's Apple Cake</a>Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-15102243126474763082017-10-18T11:22:00.001-05:002017-10-22T09:58:40.578-05:00Jim Long's Apple Cake<br />
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Back in the 1970s when I was in the landscape design business I used to travel from Missouri to Tennessee early each spring to buy plants from wholesale nurseries in and around McMinnville, TN. On my trips I always searched out good, local restaurants at meal time and that state used to have lots of little mom and pop cafes, now, sadly gone and replaced with chain restaurants or fast food places.<br />
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The employees at one of the wholesale nurseries always ate lunch at the Gay-Lo Cafe downtown. It was run by Gay and her sister, Lois, thus the name. It was one of those blue plate special places I love to find, where you choose from whatever the special of the day was, something like meatloaf or fried chicken or ham, a choice of vegetable and mashed potatoes and gravy. It was good, Southern home cooking. The nursery guys swore the desserts were the best in the state.<br />
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After eating at the Gay-Lo for several seasons and always having the apple cake, the owners had come to recognize me. One day I asked Gay if she would sell or share her apple cake recipe and she said, "Sure hon, wait a minute, and I will."<br />
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She motioned me over to an empty table and said, "Here, write this down. The recipe has been in my family for generations. Probably everyone around here make it but customers tell me mine is the best."<br />
I wrote the recipe on a napkin just as she dictated it, on March 21, 1977. Over the years I've made only a couple of minor changes, less cinnamon, a little less sugar. A few times I've made it using 3 or 4 rose geranium leaves laid on the bottom of the pan before the batter is poured over. Sometimes I make it and don't put on the icing, it's probably even better that way unless you really like sugar. I hope you enjoy the recipe!<br />
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4 cups apples, sliced and sliced again (I like a combination of Jonathan and Granny Smith)<br />
2 cups sugar<br />
2 cups flour<br />
1/2 tablespoon cinnamon<br />
1 tsp baking soda<br />
1 tsp baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
2 sticks butter, softened<br />
2 eggs<br />
<br />
Slice apples and set aside<br />
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F<br />
<br />
1- Cream together butter and sugar.<br />
Add eggs and mix well.<br />
<br />
2- Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt, mixing <br />
3- Add the flour mixture into the sugar-butter-egg mix, stir together well but don’t over-mix.<br />
4- Add the chopped apples and mix.<br />
5- Pour into oiled and floured 11 x 15 inch cake pan. Bake about 40 minutes or until a knife inserted into cake comes out clean.<br />
<br />
<b>Icing</b> - this is really sweet, the cake is good without it, but the original recipe calls for this<br />
<br />
1 stick butter, cut in pieces<br />
4 tablespoons milk or water<br />
4 tablespoons brown sugar mixed with 4 tablespoons flour<br />
dash of salt<br />
<br />
Bring to a simmer and let cook for about 10 minutes, stirring often.<br />
Add 3/4 cup any kind of favorite nuts. <br />
<br />
Spread on still-warm cake. <br />
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Go to <a href="http://www.longcreekherbs.com/" target="_blank">my website</a> and you'll find more recipes listed in the descriptions of some of my books. <a href="http://www.longcreekherbs.com/proddetail.php?prod=028" target="_blank">Homemade Crackers</a> has a sample recipe, so check that out, too. And you can search this blog for lots more of my recipes, as well.<br />
<br />Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-76400615655826043962017-08-20T10:54:00.000-05:002017-08-20T10:54:50.195-05:00Missouri State Fair 2017I've been going to the Missouri State Fair since I was 3 years old. It's an annual event for me. I love the Fair, the people, the exhibits, sometimes the food. My favorite is the pineapple whip, which was sadly lacking this year. <br />
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The World's Greatest Carnival. At night with all the lights it's pretty amazing. Music everywhere, sometimes too much. </div>
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You have to be this tall to ride the rides! Try explaining that to a 3 year old boy!<br />
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I love this photo! There are rides for all ages. This kid will remember his father beside him on the Merry-Go-Round when he has kids of his own. I still remember my parents put me on the horse, then stood and watched from the side. This is better.<br />
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Great Tilt-a-Whirl, who wouldn't want to ride in a teddy bear's belly!<br />
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There's always plenty of fun, bizarre stuff to see. This guy obviously likes what he does.<br />
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The 146 lb prize watermelon from Deepwater, Missouri. And giant pumpkins and squashes and everything else in the Agriculture Building. I admit I skip over the corn displays, one ear looks pretty much like the next one, but I don't know anything at all about field corn.<br />
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I didn't ask but I'd guess this farm couple has been coming to the Fair longer than I have. Maybe I'll see the Fair that way some day, too.<br />
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Or atop the wagon pulled by the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. These huge horses used to be used for pulling enormous wagons and they almost went extinct, so I've been told, but the Budweiser folks are preserving the breed and show them all over the country especially at state fairs. <br />
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Farm equipment displays are always interesting. The newest tractors, combines, attachments and all that goes with them. This year one of the featured items was the robotic lawn mower. I didn't see it in action but did wonder if it will pick up all of my dog, Cricket's balls before it mows.<br />
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These budding farmers stopped for a rest on a John Deere Tractor wheel. From their gear it looks like they are attached to the John Deere brand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisz6HE8YEfymccVna_yJ9AOp8TN9mXl_DgmrKpnGLI193_ZwuQdAyFH1Ss05732hy2VeGyG4_-TY0zWl-K3HtGlpTBjJ9y3Z1BlcMhll-h9LPjY64Y-0K4uWrStWM6q7ci6Iq5Z-s8QPIC/s1600/Healthy-Feet-Bar.350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="350" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisz6HE8YEfymccVna_yJ9AOp8TN9mXl_DgmrKpnGLI193_ZwuQdAyFH1Ss05732hy2VeGyG4_-TY0zWl-K3HtGlpTBjJ9y3Z1BlcMhll-h9LPjY64Y-0K4uWrStWM6q7ci6Iq5Z-s8QPIC/s200/Healthy-Feet-Bar.350.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />
Carol, who makes our Healthy Feet Soap and our excellent bug-repelling Bug Off bar, was there, too, with her soaps and products.<br />
(You can find our soaps and other products <a href="http://www.longcreekherbs.com/">on our website</a>). <br />
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The 'velcro' teenagers, as I call them. At least one body part has to, at all times, be touching some body part of the girlfriend/boyfriend.<br />
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And that leads to... yet another young kid, being introduced to the Fair by his/her parents.<br />
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There are always corndogs (sausage on a stick, covered with batter and deep-fried, for readers in the UK and beyond). I skipped my annual corn dog this year, now I'm hungry for a corn dog with lots of mustard.<br />
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Lemonade, corn dogs and red velvet funnel cakes. I'm not a fan of funnel cakes, and think adding a whole lot of red food coloring probably doesn't make them one bit better.<br />
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New this year are curly cones. Vanilla or chocolate. That curly J-shaped thing is a cone and when you order it, soft-serve ice cream is squeezed into the tube, filling it from top to bottom. I didn't have one of those, either. I'm pretty certain you can't eat both ends of the cone without one end or the other melting all over you. <br />
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Life is too short to drink cheap booze and argue with stupid people. An, youth. His attitude may change as he ages. Still, examining your standards at a young age isn't a bad thing.<br />
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The Fair is all about fun. It's a celebration of farming, of Missouri at its best, of what we raise and how we live. I look forward to a day at the Fair every year, to see and do and be, in a place I've visited for decades.<br />
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And a shady spot in the Highway Gardens is welcome, regardless of your age or place in life. This is 3 generations, the grandpa, father and son, all resting and getting ready for one more go at the Midway before heading home.<br />
I had a short nap there, too, before heading back to explore more buildings, pig races, an ice cream cone and heading home.<br />
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<br />Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-11405442647814570412016-11-06T09:13:00.000-06:002016-11-06T09:13:07.340-06:00Elephant Garlic PieBack in the 1980s, on a cold day in January I was preparing for the
arrival of a newspaper reporter. She was coming to interview me to ask
what was in the garden in that cold that month. When she had called a week earlier,
she said she was looking for a garden story idea but assumed there was
nothing still in the ground and maybe we could do a story on soil
preparation. I explained that with our mild Ozarks winters, that yes, I
did still have food growing in my garden. Carrots and leeks were still
in the ground, lettuce, peas and spinach were growing in a cold frame.
As is my custom when reporters come, I invited her for lunch, to taste a
bit of the garden.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOB_qcoFlbxTVqiSEyT3eMF81SVyrEHlQJRRcssEpHRLMgIYqqJUSLAUDEqr0zDpBVLLb8OdgH-AarUUvi9AogWjIFVI2NQd_jaD5pOHoIoT_Ch22lgK_CgMOxHgeawP5kekvSeVJH0Wb_/s1600/Crustless-quiche.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOB_qcoFlbxTVqiSEyT3eMF81SVyrEHlQJRRcssEpHRLMgIYqqJUSLAUDEqr0zDpBVLLb8OdgH-AarUUvi9AogWjIFVI2NQd_jaD5pOHoIoT_Ch22lgK_CgMOxHgeawP5kekvSeVJH0Wb_/s400/Crustless-quiche.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephant Pie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
That day we dug carrots and picked lettuce and spinach for her photos.
Those went into a salad, which I served with Elephant Pie. Elephant <u><i>Garlic</i></u>
Pie, that is. I like elephant garlic as a vegetable, it has a mild,
sweet flavor that works well in all sorts of dishes. Even steamed and
buttered, it's delicious.<br />
<br />
Elephant garlic, you may not know, was first introduced to the gardening world by our friends at <a href="http://www.nicholsgardennursery.com/">Nichols Garden Nursery</a> in 1941. (Someone later gave Luther Burbank credit, but the documentation is clear, <u>the first elephant garlic, along with the name, started with Nichols Garden Nursery in Albany, Oregon</u>.<br />
<br />
Areas of the famous Willamette Valley, known for its mild climate and
amazingly fertile soil, was settled partly by immigrants from
Czechoslovakia and Northern Yugoslavia. Mr. Nichols discovered that some
of these folks were growing a gigantic variety of garlic, mild in
flavor and vastly different from any garlic he had ever seen. The immigrants had
brought this unusual garlic with them from the Old Country. He purchased
12 pounds as seed stock in 1941 and began cultivating it. When he
finally had enough to sell, he began advertising in newspapers and
magazines. In 1953 he gave it the name, <span style="color: red;">elephant garlic</span>.
Back then, he was the only one selling it and when you ordered elephant
garlic from Nichols, in your order you received a little pamphlet with
growing and storing instructions. He sold elephant garlic across the
U.S., Canada and to many places overseas. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrVe_0RuKKjtxMom_LbWT5xXFZcwyUu9v1cDuU2CiysY8vySVekbJX9C7k3sCAZOwz5Iu4YvRyDdRh5xokCJdoh6QZLXHvbbj4piRADEo5tIV0I_U9UMHkTOC1NIqOcs1uq7ON_Jvsy6F/s1600/Elephant-garlic-pamphlet-edit.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrVe_0RuKKjtxMom_LbWT5xXFZcwyUu9v1cDuU2CiysY8vySVekbJX9C7k3sCAZOwz5Iu4YvRyDdRh5xokCJdoh6QZLXHvbbj4piRADEo5tIV0I_U9UMHkTOC1NIqOcs1uq7ON_Jvsy6F/s400/Elephant-garlic-pamphlet-edit.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original pamphlet that accompanied orders, in 1953</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I just planted my elephant garlic this past week from some I ordered
from Nichols. I prefer to plant it in September, but things were too
busy this year. I've actually planted it as late as the first of
December and it has done well, thanks to our fairly mild winters here.
Next summer, probably about mid to late June, my elephant garlic will be ready
to dig. You can still order some for planting from Nichols. I've seen it
in the produce department of several grocery stores if you want to get
some to cook, but to get a start to grow, of the original, authentic
elephant garlic, <a href="https://www.nicholsgardennursery.com/store/product-info.php?Elephant-Garlic-pid1269.html">order from Nichols</a>. (Every other nursery or seed
company that sells elephant garlic, can trace their original sources
back to Nichols). Here's my Elephant Garlic Pie recipe. It's like a
quiche and you can add a regular pie crust if you wish, but I usually
make mine crust-less because it cuts down a bit on the carbohydrates and
fat.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Elephant Garlic Pie</b></div>
5-6 cloves elephant garlic, sliced<br />
1 tablespoon butter or olive oil<br />
4 eggs<br />
1 can evaporated milk<br />
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese<br />
1 cup chopped fresh spinach<br />
1 cup diced, thinly-sliced ham (leave it out if you don't eat meat)<br />
1 tablespoon cooking sherry<br />
1/4 teaspoon any brand hot sauce<br />
2 green onions, diced<br />
Salt and pepper to taste<br />
<ol>
<li>Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.</li>
<li>Saute the sliced elephant garlic in olive oil or butter until tender, about 5 minutes.</li>
<li>Beat the eggs and milk together; add the cooking sherry, hot sauce, green onions and salt and pepper. </li>
<li>In a oiled pie plate, layer the garlic, cheese, spinach and ham,
then pour the egg mixture over. Dust with a bit of paprika if desired.</li>
<li>Bake until a knife inserted comes out clean, about 35-40 minutes. Let set for 5 minutes before serving.</li>
</ol>
<a href="https://www.nicholsgardennursery.com/">Nichols Garden Nursery</a>
also is the source of my favorite sour dough starter. Mr. Nichols got
the start in the late 1940s from a friend who'd been a logger in Alaska.
They sell it in powdered form and you mix it with your own bread flour
and get it started. We make 2 loaves of sourdough bread a week here at
the farm. Sourdough bread is considerably easier for diabetics to eat
and Nichols' starter is the best tasting I've ever had. (I don't care
for the San Francisco sourdough breads, they're too, well, sour, for me,
but Nichols'<a href="https://www.nicholsgardennursery.com/store/product-info.php?pid398.html"> Oregon Pioneer starter</a> tastes lots better). Here are a couple of recent loaves of sourdough bread we've made.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPtXzcRsa7aWoIiWhxUF28-UFLoZD70rcDJHjGPOTltHd4ANSZxCSzuNgKDxsQF5zdksjHE3X1jXseGNMiXhOApx4tsEG6h8RINSV-OUXN5czx9qW0iCEi4BcIUEXLmIJbpo3VRIh08K8/s1600/Bread,-homemade-copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPtXzcRsa7aWoIiWhxUF28-UFLoZD70rcDJHjGPOTltHd4ANSZxCSzuNgKDxsQF5zdksjHE3X1jXseGNMiXhOApx4tsEG6h8RINSV-OUXN5czx9qW0iCEi4BcIUEXLmIJbpo3VRIh08K8/s400/Bread,-homemade-copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshly-baked sourdough bread is simply delicious!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-31928508664669786882016-10-07T14:54:00.003-05:002016-10-07T14:54:29.603-05:00Dried Apple Zucchin Pie<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Our zucchini plants are still producing great lots of squashes. The late
August planting that I've started doing in recent years works way, way
better than spring planting. The pest-bugs are almost non-existent and
we can barely keep up with using what 5 plants produce. One year I made
sweet pickles, using my mother's 7-day sweet pickle recipe, substituting
zucchini instead of cucumbers and it worked very nicely. But this is my
first time to use zucchini in apple pie.</span><br />
</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bH2_2MJ4SbGgAUDUD80kOaP7C_RpgQwp4dP34dLikGv1WL-qv8em2DdBkfjd8s6tb8S5aCuw29RcDx2P6Af-l018cLbEhtPYqmN4YWzGf-GFfGVAZQlS-xqaLOHlWGHffTqkcYIhojH6/s1600/Dried-Apple-Zuch.-Pie.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bH2_2MJ4SbGgAUDUD80kOaP7C_RpgQwp4dP34dLikGv1WL-qv8em2DdBkfjd8s6tb8S5aCuw29RcDx2P6Af-l018cLbEhtPYqmN4YWzGf-GFfGVAZQlS-xqaLOHlWGHffTqkcYIhojH6/s1600/Dried-Apple-Zuch.-Pie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dried Apple-Zucchini Pie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our friends, Betty and Dennis, were coming for dinner last week. The
menu was simple - beef stew, homemade biscuits and pie. The reason the
photo is half a pie, is because I forgot to take the photo until after
we'd all had a piece. Everyone agreed my experimental recipe was worth
keeping, so here it is for you to try. You could use fresh apples, but
the dried apples were convenient. If you use fresh apples, be sure to
add additional flour to the recipe.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Dried Apple-Zucchini Pie</b></div>
<br />
4 cups of dried apples (we got ours from the Amish Store)<br />
2 cups thinly-sliced zucchini <br />
1 1/2 cups apple juice or water<br />
Juice of 1/2 lemon<br />
3/4 cup sugar<br />
1 teaspoon cinnamon<br />
2 tablespoons flour<br />
2 tablespoons butter<br />
2 rolled-out pie crusts<br />
<br />
Combine the apples and apple juice or water and bring to a boil. Reduce
heat, add the zucchini slices and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from
heat and let cool for 1 hour.<br />
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.<br />
Add the lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon and flour to the apple-zucchini mixture and stir to dissolve sugar.<br />
<br />
Line a pie plate with one rolled-out pie crust, then fill with the
apple-zucchini mixture. Dot the top with butter. Moisten the edges of
the pie crust, then place the second crust on top and crimp to seal the
edges.<br />
<br />
Brush the top of the pie crust with half and half or milk, then sprinkle
the top with sugar. Cut slits for the steam to escape. Bake for about
50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Let pie sit for about an
hour before serving.
Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-9558328168818190832015-08-19T10:12:00.001-05:002015-08-19T10:12:50.638-05:00Jim Long's Garden: Bear Creek Reunion 2015<a href="http://jimlongsgarden.blogspot.com/2015/08/bear-creek-reunion-2015.html">Jim Long's Garden: Bear Creek Reunion 2015</a>Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-24794496994213624922015-08-19T09:40:00.002-05:002015-08-19T11:07:56.302-05:00Bear Creek Reunion 2015I haven't been to the Bear Creek Reunion since I was about 17 years old. My grandmother Harper, who never drove a car, asked me to take her to the Reunion one year. So it was fun to reconnect with the few people who I know there, and meet lots and lots of new people who are all my relatives. Following here is a short tour of what I think is a kind of amazing place. It's a church that was founded by several families including my own (Garrison, Harper & Wisner ancestors) along with Johnstons and others). Founded in 1856, this Methodist church remains active, alive and thriving today.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRq55wJistdlFJM4wydZzLyCs7azkoOc5-8iDyC5mZB560qUUkzaO-8I8EyUX5pt-gXbk2nTazCNC7ECZitNiTWXHCOfxXXMkySDPTV4zUA4ALLLW27OWN2Moj9aFngRnAZd8RQSpa_8M_/s1600/Bear+Creek+Methodist+Church.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRq55wJistdlFJM4wydZzLyCs7azkoOc5-8iDyC5mZB560qUUkzaO-8I8EyUX5pt-gXbk2nTazCNC7ECZitNiTWXHCOfxXXMkySDPTV4zUA4ALLLW27OWN2Moj9aFngRnAZd8RQSpa_8M_/s400/Bear+Creek+Methodist+Church.tiff" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear Creek Methodist Church, est. 1856.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lAr65PjTeDoa_PyYcVevUAg3I85kn340PLIFC1DqJAoLC7xCSZBCxlTJmm7f2yxpx0xbBVo05XF3Ssvk-xMKuZf7MUuH3OQldTPdPq2M5qv9TKQfefTIgxkdTyW4ksK_zMH4kYtkliki/s1600/Inside-church.lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lAr65PjTeDoa_PyYcVevUAg3I85kn340PLIFC1DqJAoLC7xCSZBCxlTJmm7f2yxpx0xbBVo05XF3Ssvk-xMKuZf7MUuH3OQldTPdPq2M5qv9TKQfefTIgxkdTyW4ksK_zMH4kYtkliki/s400/Inside-church.lr.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the church.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNO3L-WtqJZcdymBrjIgIrS-KpNSbJG4cl-zkQEmYVM33xa8kufTtasuug3cmaCQnb_zpHnkn8Kdr4kRFxS_gXFTUoLw3BjMvCXrOuAZEVKX2zSFWIfgyR22Uf_cILoqQiQL_3XbqDKk0Y/s1600/Original-Bench.lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNO3L-WtqJZcdymBrjIgIrS-KpNSbJG4cl-zkQEmYVM33xa8kufTtasuug3cmaCQnb_zpHnkn8Kdr4kRFxS_gXFTUoLw3BjMvCXrOuAZEVKX2zSFWIfgyR22Uf_cILoqQiQL_3XbqDKk0Y/s400/Original-Bench.lr.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the original pews that was saved from the remodeling some years back. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Behind the church is the cemetery, well-maintained, with many of my relatives buried there.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDU2SKfVvs9a4MrNPukWKNtpVF-nVUFTAZ3Inuog2B58d2j7pnRy_IuUFtXGWUmICfujjbjE5xmh7KN8mka-p-d_JmaWpAy5iwro5qqTyjpPmHilTB5kgljWbKXUgeAdfh9qkGW7KD31eY/s1600/Cemetery+behind+church.LG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDU2SKfVvs9a4MrNPukWKNtpVF-nVUFTAZ3Inuog2B58d2j7pnRy_IuUFtXGWUmICfujjbjE5xmh7KN8mka-p-d_JmaWpAy5iwro5qqTyjpPmHilTB5kgljWbKXUgeAdfh9qkGW7KD31eY/s400/Cemetery+behind+church.LG.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5VlK36Bztyz5H5GR8jNGjwa-bLoOoyhe-5d9THy-hty7nSgcG3IptmHHGoi_i4xeuMXbD6GurGqD0TTtG5W2DQ9-Ro-W3Y-xZzo0rB93m9-tGW0kl2gQ690Gd_VedHQhebnDOBYftsBY/s1600/Cemetery-2.LG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5VlK36Bztyz5H5GR8jNGjwa-bLoOoyhe-5d9THy-hty7nSgcG3IptmHHGoi_i4xeuMXbD6GurGqD0TTtG5W2DQ9-Ro-W3Y-xZzo0rB93m9-tGW0kl2gQ690Gd_VedHQhebnDOBYftsBY/s400/Cemetery-2.LG.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Surrounding the church and cemetery is almost a park, old oak trees for shade. At the edge of the grounds is a band shell/stage with words over it, "Make a Joyful Noise." It is the spot of weekend music from time to time - there is even a Bear Creek Band from time to time. People bring their lawn chairs and listen to the local musicians who come to play.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLJ1WRget-n-p06_jZ3afAUY1roaGx6M-IVSkJ1xFPIVZrnYSh4juJ7Em0AubUzCO3z0livP8wpy9V1gWIaaigVE3OqC8MceW_9BPBRhLv-i_Ti1bdyMrjOUz0a_ypWI-msd94nWn4sEE/s1600/Band-shell.lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLJ1WRget-n-p06_jZ3afAUY1roaGx6M-IVSkJ1xFPIVZrnYSh4juJ7Em0AubUzCO3z0livP8wpy9V1gWIaaigVE3OqC8MceW_9BPBRhLv-i_Ti1bdyMrjOUz0a_ypWI-msd94nWn4sEE/s400/Band-shell.lr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Under the shade of the park-like setting is a very long table, permanent, for reunions, family dinners and their annual pig roast and fish fry - both of which are fundraisers that go to help local, needy families. For the annual Reunion, this table, probably 60 or 80 feet long and 4 feet wide, is almost groaning with food. My family likes to eat!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZV_w-6q_mkm20o0p2HRQheFMkZNSUmjgToWFsBA3v87Xn6LySc61d3YKt7Lvf3cT94hhQifSIByXzs6-EZd-knWAalY-X9OmI06sxUHUBHBEzBpK6Bux2uSDRmBEx88a4_-VJ9SDZ3184/s1600/Food-table-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZV_w-6q_mkm20o0p2HRQheFMkZNSUmjgToWFsBA3v87Xn6LySc61d3YKt7Lvf3cT94hhQifSIByXzs6-EZd-knWAalY-X9OmI06sxUHUBHBEzBpK6Bux2uSDRmBEx88a4_-VJ9SDZ3184/s400/Food-table-1.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Food of every description and kind.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWto33pOxjadDP_wO1pq0DK1k6zzyyDejAuGMJm2n1yNgZfydoa-NgTyjeW3cgUuWY8vG2373HWXdR8GNLRf1AWVn-NI5-rJwRSvPqmuHwZMaGxaj8I8kaMNN4s_Llq73QcPKVCy_wgDw/s1600/Fried-chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWto33pOxjadDP_wO1pq0DK1k6zzyyDejAuGMJm2n1yNgZfydoa-NgTyjeW3cgUuWY8vG2373HWXdR8GNLRf1AWVn-NI5-rJwRSvPqmuHwZMaGxaj8I8kaMNN4s_Llq73QcPKVCy_wgDw/s400/Fried-chicken.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, real fried chicken! Barbecued ribs, chicken and noodles. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmdOyOlgYNBHOi1hb9AoBkc1hDlWT2wO2O5hi2EUnW7-k662IgrElbzKkl5BeXU1DiYMPwc5z-H1UXAvuyXh1HxoiaJ65Trcrfr2eVYytzXS6gY3C9dHzu8CWpmkyfZIUupFrK3a5EYhyphenhyphen/s1600/Desserts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmdOyOlgYNBHOi1hb9AoBkc1hDlWT2wO2O5hi2EUnW7-k662IgrElbzKkl5BeXU1DiYMPwc5z-H1UXAvuyXh1HxoiaJ65Trcrfr2eVYytzXS6gY3C9dHzu8CWpmkyfZIUupFrK3a5EYhyphenhyphen/s400/Desserts.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I lost count of the desserts but 20 or 25 kinds. More than anyone could sample all of, but some tried!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To prove our family likes picnics, potlucks, food in general, here's my great grandfather, George Washington Garrison, about 1930 with my aunts, uncles and others, gathered around a picnic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOr6FDl4f-TMqS-L-fCFo69tTomYo1Yue6363O5wvx-tyNxRsvecerZGN3QvkseWC13YmX88lCdP8gTubBglmmURv7s-fxrPdpeHpeqC8l26D1ObVCaozRhWsDZ2QZT34tz-2p49PltMe4/s1600/George-W.-Garrison-picnic.lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOr6FDl4f-TMqS-L-fCFo69tTomYo1Yue6363O5wvx-tyNxRsvecerZGN3QvkseWC13YmX88lCdP8gTubBglmmURv7s-fxrPdpeHpeqC8l26D1ObVCaozRhWsDZ2QZT34tz-2p49PltMe4/s400/George-W.-Garrison-picnic.lr.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, note, all my relatives have plates and food in their hands! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Cd0cha6uGECSu0RXZpMBZxsj1TNMmHHDzyNT7KgBy1chS8AUYiSfPXCYs1Sw1IcH1Yi4Q799PVAGrpejjN3NPR0F-0bLnbuvrG9cxd2V_3i0SR__IZCnd9VvatyO63eSwrepVQHH0_vI/s1600/Visiting-2.lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Cd0cha6uGECSu0RXZpMBZxsj1TNMmHHDzyNT7KgBy1chS8AUYiSfPXCYs1Sw1IcH1Yi4Q799PVAGrpejjN3NPR0F-0bLnbuvrG9cxd2V_3i0SR__IZCnd9VvatyO63eSwrepVQHH0_vI/s400/Visiting-2.lr.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After lunch, people visited, milled around, shared photos, stories.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquRc3BHuCbqcT1c1cqN4TSUZeK4NtkxqTNcEIi5JbZywXB-Mfm-xKsns6Sc_kpQ_vDXqy_EveC4tgsrMcWEuyMJoNEz2W3aK_ohjh1y6yCN1N5QUP3Cm2Vc5hS1AJmmbupJ1V80CFGl9N/s1600/Musicians..lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquRc3BHuCbqcT1c1cqN4TSUZeK4NtkxqTNcEIi5JbZywXB-Mfm-xKsns6Sc_kpQ_vDXqy_EveC4tgsrMcWEuyMJoNEz2W3aK_ohjh1y6yCN1N5QUP3Cm2Vc5hS1AJmmbupJ1V80CFGl9N/s400/Musicians..lr.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Musicians played. Music is always a big part of any reunion at Bear Creek Church.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72-56shnBLPkcgUWVHgdqmlAg6MMaQreYuW3zyExG99JI5eAkj7TvBWtcuN8i3yfkN59ahr4zoHxWdaUKLqb_XiqyNK7qnoMRw_oavxHW3usIxCYnl6sh9lDoIKlUiTo8p4MVSxzQPEG6/s1600/Nancy-Morgan-Hall.lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72-56shnBLPkcgUWVHgdqmlAg6MMaQreYuW3zyExG99JI5eAkj7TvBWtcuN8i3yfkN59ahr4zoHxWdaUKLqb_XiqyNK7qnoMRw_oavxHW3usIxCYnl6sh9lDoIKlUiTo8p4MVSxzQPEG6/s400/Nancy-Morgan-Hall.lr.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John and Minerva Wisner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrg36FkFclXtrGmdNZdQF8PeR4PV0B95NJhJw5nWQ1-zv03YW4-28IxdWUMnN1nkIEP6JlPplAeoEUlGLxyM_QSrkEu5T9QhvnfmT7E_4j4EQh_3_2wqyrRh1vHI0dBg1vUa9-SZ6O0_j/s1600/John+%2526+Minerva+Wisner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrg36FkFclXtrGmdNZdQF8PeR4PV0B95NJhJw5nWQ1-zv03YW4-28IxdWUMnN1nkIEP6JlPplAeoEUlGLxyM_QSrkEu5T9QhvnfmT7E_4j4EQh_3_2wqyrRh1vHI0dBg1vUa9-SZ6O0_j/s400/John+%2526+Minerva+Wisner.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John and Minerva Wisner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlafP82T8TApHhXlpqJfpb-zqh_Ji9r-8MrFA5HgNzNiOHFCeMNvWztJQKLALV0NAheikBwMO4LQ4LF38cS9_eLoxDSG5vJG8ncPySbYop-Dq1Q4K3vP_GQDtlVJTXuNVjg8VUUBFQQkIb/s1600/John-A.-%2526-Lora-Wisner-1835-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlafP82T8TApHhXlpqJfpb-zqh_Ji9r-8MrFA5HgNzNiOHFCeMNvWztJQKLALV0NAheikBwMO4LQ4LF38cS9_eLoxDSG5vJG8ncPySbYop-Dq1Q4K3vP_GQDtlVJTXuNVjg8VUUBFQQkIb/s400/John-A.-%2526-Lora-Wisner-1835-.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Adam and Lora Wisner 1836-1907</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgps5G3Ew7_skCBTEdejrI_1upcUjYMCSoFyt7l6cAOulCzkvxafzaTyi9tE3UWcqnSa_nq-Qe7rsW375mJHGB3HZ9f23C0oQlDoStE9rLW4DYToMRred7ioew0GtVxwwN0On4dusQHxieE/s1600/Harpers-3-generations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgps5G3Ew7_skCBTEdejrI_1upcUjYMCSoFyt7l6cAOulCzkvxafzaTyi9tE3UWcqnSa_nq-Qe7rsW375mJHGB3HZ9f23C0oQlDoStE9rLW4DYToMRred7ioew0GtVxwwN0On4dusQHxieE/s400/Harpers-3-generations.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harpers, 3 generations. My grandfather, James Edward Harper is center, back, age 16.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXl6HabIayPO6uXWfDzZchtXnfhB2in-7smqUGK75DydWR-x0bBNlZ-3w7VJi10RpFukjLP_0hqoFIz-YIrlMcT0KNlvNPzF8P1nlxUNKVGL13L_GrMTrs0eh9fwPr6LkcL0eI82ZzK0JP/s1600/Garrison+brothers+circ+1842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXl6HabIayPO6uXWfDzZchtXnfhB2in-7smqUGK75DydWR-x0bBNlZ-3w7VJi10RpFukjLP_0hqoFIz-YIrlMcT0KNlvNPzF8P1nlxUNKVGL13L_GrMTrs0eh9fwPr6LkcL0eI82ZzK0JP/s400/Garrison+brothers+circ+1842.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three of Richard Garrison's sons, circ 1846-1850</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Being at Bear Creek Reunion was a very satisfying and reassuring experience. Almost every person there was related in some way. Nearly all of us descend from the Wisner, Harper, Garrison, Cassity or related families. We all share DNA, we are all descended from the early pioneers, and every one of our ancestors came as immigrants from another country. <br />
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Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-10098863315358524032015-03-14T11:16:00.003-05:002015-03-14T11:18:56.948-05:00Buy Garden Seed, Helps Kids Gardening<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
School Gardens Teach Kids about Food and Where it Comes From<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubhEwOce5Kz0UIeMFW-0taJp6qT3xUVAM8WHESBHDvi0NX59NGNlXwMJ-IYWcsl13yRm9qUa-KFkbZycxdNaWWj-BC7JELV8eHdySl0fsA0Lr_2AhkxIGL-sh3xnYkJR9RTQQ4QkU641R/s1600/Kids,-sunflowers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubhEwOce5Kz0UIeMFW-0taJp6qT3xUVAM8WHESBHDvi0NX59NGNlXwMJ-IYWcsl13yRm9qUa-KFkbZycxdNaWWj-BC7JELV8eHdySl0fsA0Lr_2AhkxIGL-sh3xnYkJR9RTQQ4QkU641R/s640/Kids,-sunflowers.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of the 500 kids in one of their 3 gardens at school.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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Since
it's seed-ordering season, if you are going to order garden seed,
consider ordering some of your seed through my website. On my home page,
scroll down to the bottom and on the left you'll see this button:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuWzDqP94bGH-JR1aA_Ms3PUA-ObRm0DGU0wMqZgBybI5UM5K5NqL6EMFkcq-aBIyoFmb3Xely7FbfC-V6ouX-5wCqUflJQPALkx8YfxFCRFb65dirXfV5im6Gd8F8enrJ9LxEeP0nl2b/s1600/Help+Kids+button.tiff" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuWzDqP94bGH-JR1aA_Ms3PUA-ObRm0DGU0wMqZgBybI5UM5K5NqL6EMFkcq-aBIyoFmb3Xely7FbfC-V6ouX-5wCqUflJQPALkx8YfxFCRFb65dirXfV5im6Gd8F8enrJ9LxEeP0nl2b/s1600/Help+Kids+button.tiff" height="166" width="320" /></a></div>
We raised $465 from Renee Shepherd, from people who ordered her seed
through our website, all of that money going directly to the kids'
garden project. <span style="color: #cc0000;">Thank you to<u> all who ordered</u>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Kids gardening is important!</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> When kids learn how to grow plants,
learn where their food comes from and how to prepare healthy meals, they
learn skills that will stay with them for their entire life. <a href="http://jimlongsgarden.blogspot.com/2012/03/buy-seed-help-kids-garden.html">I've written about the amazing kids' garden project </a>at the magnet school in Jonesboro, Arkansas, several times before.<a href="http://jimlongsgarden.blogspot.com/2012/03/buy-seed-help-kids-garden.html"> (</a><a href="http://jimlongsgarden.blogspot.com/2012/03/buy-seed-help-kids-garden.html">Click here to see an earlier post and more photos).</a> <a href="http://jimlongsgarden.blogspot.com/2012/03/buy-seed-help-kids-garden.html">And here for the story about cooking</a> with the kids in their amazing kitchen. But
I thought you might like a reminder that this project is always
struggling to find enough money for seed, soil and other supplies the
kids need.</span> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_-ltDyqxLlipCnPL4oqG73tabD8K9uWDem9g6oq-r24nXtNMA7vVpidk3YPob0mWTK0EBHQLVxVZu-WYAuyTPKV1oWXkeOohQMr0DWrvj-uaRptwDzRTj_52QKxdZL2bX2_5wnuIUmKG/s1600/Kids-weeding.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_-ltDyqxLlipCnPL4oqG73tabD8K9uWDem9g6oq-r24nXtNMA7vVpidk3YPob0mWTK0EBHQLVxVZu-WYAuyTPKV1oWXkeOohQMr0DWrvj-uaRptwDzRTj_52QKxdZL2bX2_5wnuIUmKG/s400/Kids-weeding.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning to weed and identify the edible plants.</td></tr>
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<div>
For 3 years we've had a button <a href="http://www.longcreekherbs.com/">on our website</a>, <b>"Buy Seed, Help Kids."</b>
It's a project whereby you can order garden seed from Reneesgarden.com,
for your own garden, and <span style="color: #cc0000;"><u>Renee Shepherd generously donates 25% of the
revenue from your order, back to the school! </u></span>It's a wonderful project.
Unfortunately we only raise about $25 a year for the school. I don't
know if people don't find the link, or don't want to order seed, but if
you go to <a href="http://www.longcreekherbs.com/">our website</a>, LongCreekHerbs.com; here's the button you will see on the left side:</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3fvVjpMO0uTy_OA4mJhTk_NMDFf-LzEYFsXH2TPILNKL7McOgeyfUxU1jKGgAu3yREs5DLEArm_loTwnXC4f7yp7TzdkD7EVhlO7oTsDSHiFHHBblScXgmp_Mv36CBj0ivwjpJUu7Laq/s1600/Buy+Seed,+Help+Kids+button.tiff" /><a href="http://longcreekherbs.com/">http://longcreekherbs.com/</a></div>
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<div>
The lower left corner on our home page has the <a href="http://longcreekherbs.com/"><b>Help Children</b>-Buy Seeds</a>
button. When you click on that, you are directed to a page with a code
to enter when you place your order at Renee's Garden Seed <b>You can order seed for your spring garden and when you order,</b> <u>it will count toward a donation for the kids' garden project, and you will receive outstanding seed.</u></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UYIYCagHls2i9txuKncpBGyZcfnLX3xNiBNTubJ7wmT2mNUGeSF4YFmZUS-ju_-EbaoZ6IAn7021O1-m3LfjByTcLD8PA7KKL_1X5bNLfcwk6Dm_LcYjCqrgscOjnyrTFB4Fw4ytBl2k/s1600/ReneeSweetPeas.lr.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UYIYCagHls2i9txuKncpBGyZcfnLX3xNiBNTubJ7wmT2mNUGeSF4YFmZUS-ju_-EbaoZ6IAn7021O1-m3LfjByTcLD8PA7KKL_1X5bNLfcwk6Dm_LcYjCqrgscOjnyrTFB4Fw4ytBl2k/s400/ReneeSweetPeas.lr.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renee Shepherd, owner reneesgarden.com</td></tr>
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<div>
Renee Shepherd donates to a wide variety of children's garden projects,
both in the United States and in other countries. That's why we are so
pleased to partner with her in helping this garden in Jonesboro,
Arkansas. If you have not visited her website, please do so, her seed
selections are outstanding and I grow many in my gardens each season.</div>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXHef-RrCbk-HxBxo6hYql8Qmbgq23tQkY4dvuKhCOfuGxaZRDD2P7rQUYLZiHsYn-U-FLbqSqvTJDwe3xfBsQUIamo3BDAgexk9I2L2ujwHpdaVSi5fJQJwbynOT26T1NkWI_NrvGTD1/s1600/Buy+Seed,+Help+Kids+button.tiff" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXHef-RrCbk-HxBxo6hYql8Qmbgq23tQkY4dvuKhCOfuGxaZRDD2P7rQUYLZiHsYn-U-FLbqSqvTJDwe3xfBsQUIamo3BDAgexk9I2L2ujwHpdaVSi5fJQJwbynOT26T1NkWI_NrvGTD1/s1600/Buy+Seed,+Help+Kids+button.tiff" /></a></div>
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To visit Renee's Garden website, go to our website at <a href="http://longcreekherbs.com/">Long Creek Herbs</a>, and click on the <a href="http://www.longcreekherbs.com/">Help Children- Seeds</a> button. You'll find the link to <a href="http://www.reneesgarden.com/">Renee's Seeds website</a>, look around and see
if you aren't tempted by her spring seed offerings. Then when you
order, use our code (it's in the instructions you'll see), so that she can make a
donation to this wonderful project. Then, you will know that more kids,
like this boy, below, can experience for the first time in their life,
the taste and smell of a chive blossom and learn how to fix a meal using
fresh herbs and vegetables right out of the garden. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I
hope you'll consider ordering seed from Renee Shepherd, she has
outstanding varieties you won't find anywhere else. And when you order,
won't you do it through my website so the kids get credit? <span style="color: red;"><b>Thank you!</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVf2UMnoCWy-Z3J7p93psJT088UGgQsPxZuWJUrLKxxYmDsqBa8wk4TskVuRwT4UMP9xlaGMTFlOG0HOD8kPKTXR7rnwIVf3h-xRaR-qbTlPTsoVVuh7G5tZz7gggtK-tlxGVTwAICHUUJ/s1600/Boy-with-Chive-Blossom.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVf2UMnoCWy-Z3J7p93psJT088UGgQsPxZuWJUrLKxxYmDsqBa8wk4TskVuRwT4UMP9xlaGMTFlOG0HOD8kPKTXR7rnwIVf3h-xRaR-qbTlPTsoVVuh7G5tZz7gggtK-tlxGVTwAICHUUJ/s320/Boy-with-Chive-Blossom.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was his first time smelling or tasting chives!</td></tr>
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Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-47097137417860815992014-10-20T11:27:00.000-05:002014-10-20T11:27:09.749-05:00Dried Apple Zucchini PieOur zucchini plants are still producing great lots of squashes. The late August planting that I've started doing in recent years works way, way better than spring planting. The pest-bugs are almost non-existent and we can barely keep up with using what 5 plants produce. One year I made sweet pickles, using my mother's 7-day sweet pickle recipe, substituting zucchini instead of cucumbers and it worked very nicely. But this is my first time to use zucchini in apple pie.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bH2_2MJ4SbGgAUDUD80kOaP7C_RpgQwp4dP34dLikGv1WL-qv8em2DdBkfjd8s6tb8S5aCuw29RcDx2P6Af-l018cLbEhtPYqmN4YWzGf-GFfGVAZQlS-xqaLOHlWGHffTqkcYIhojH6/s1600/Dried-Apple-Zuch.-Pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bH2_2MJ4SbGgAUDUD80kOaP7C_RpgQwp4dP34dLikGv1WL-qv8em2DdBkfjd8s6tb8S5aCuw29RcDx2P6Af-l018cLbEhtPYqmN4YWzGf-GFfGVAZQlS-xqaLOHlWGHffTqkcYIhojH6/s1600/Dried-Apple-Zuch.-Pie.jpg" height="345" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dried Apple-Zucchini Pie</td></tr>
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Our friends, Betty and Dennis, were coming for dinner last week. The menu was simple - beef stew, homemade biscuits and pie. The reason the photo is half a pie, is because I forgot to take the photo until after we'd all had a piece. Everyone agreed my experimental recipe was worth keeping, so here it is for you to try. You could use fresh apples, but the dried apples were convenient. If you use fresh apples, be sure to add additional flour to the recipe.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Dried Apple-Zucchini Pie</b></div>
<br />
4 cups of dried apples (we got ours from the Amish Store)<br />
2 cups thinly-sliced zucchini <br />
1 1/2 cups apple juice or water<br />
Juice of 1/2 lemon<br />
3/4 cup sugar<br />
1 teaspoon cinnamon<br />
2 tablespoons flour<br />
2 tablespoons butter<br />
2 rolled-out pie crusts<br />
<br />
Combine the apples and apple juice or water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, add the zucchini slices and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 1 hour.<br />
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.<br />
Add the lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon and flour to the apple-zucchini mixture and stir to dissolve sugar.<br />
<br />
Line a pie plate with one rolled-out pie crust, then fill with the apple-zucchini mixture. Dot the top with butter. Moisten the edges of the pie crust, then place the second crust on top and crimp to seal the edges.<br />
<br />
Brush the top of the pie crust with half and half or milk, then sprinkle the top with sugar. Cut slits for the steam to escape. Bake for about 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Let pie sit for about an hour before serving.Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-65269227769200706402014-09-29T16:07:00.002-05:002014-09-29T16:15:03.081-05:00Zucchini, Finally! More Meals from the Garden<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGTBf9Z0t1xTKAQKdh4px_CHotqFkB7kdcwSZKCP6bHdi26tJ54YJZGhzAtvGcB1Q-5Fz5a3m1CVPXu7lomaMzvE-YPTuaw7W16w-23t4mKPArTmC3B-rBLStfjE69eqD_FlnhXIvi5_O/s1600/Garden-View-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGTBf9Z0t1xTKAQKdh4px_CHotqFkB7kdcwSZKCP6bHdi26tJ54YJZGhzAtvGcB1Q-5Fz5a3m1CVPXu7lomaMzvE-YPTuaw7W16w-23t4mKPArTmC3B-rBLStfjE69eqD_FlnhXIvi5_O/s1600/Garden-View-2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One view of the garden in September.</td></tr>
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Zucchini is one of those vegetables we have difficulty growing. Between squash bugs, cucumber beetles and squash vine borers, we seldom get a crop, and often don't even try. We've used every trick in the book for organic control of those pests, none of which work. But, last fall, and again this one, I took a chance and planted zucchini seed late in the season. These zucchini were planted in late August and began producing fruit Sep. 18.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TsuUe5LEM7XwHaxzAMl85t15hX3PkENfaQ5741zLIGLIHUj1XJDb2y4eXRaY50aLVth87dKCznz-MKGlaGT1P0Yifeqcr6BGScw0tQgkC3EGvUuftKvfA74-L8ms-soSBj2EQDYRFRLF/s1600/Zucchini-Sep-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TsuUe5LEM7XwHaxzAMl85t15hX3PkENfaQ5741zLIGLIHUj1XJDb2y4eXRaY50aLVth87dKCznz-MKGlaGT1P0Yifeqcr6BGScw0tQgkC3EGvUuftKvfA74-L8ms-soSBj2EQDYRFRLF/s1600/Zucchini-Sep-2014.jpg" height="375" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zucchini plants started producing on Sep 18.</td></tr>
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Even though most gardeners, and all their neighbors, are probably tired of even seeing a zucchini, we're just tickled to have some. Josh planted the seed for these, 7 plants, and we're getting 2-3 baby zucchini per plant every other day, plus a few large ones we've overlooked. I've been making these for our supper, based on a recipe I used last year called Faux Crabcakes. It's pretty good and the recipe follows.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Zucchini Fritters</b></div>
<br />
<i>I shred the *zucchini first, then the onion, pepper and garlic in the food processor, which just takes seconds. </i><br />
(About) 4 cups shredded zucchini<br />
1/2 yellow onion, shredded or diced<br />
2 tablespoons diced, any favorite pepper - I use half of a Jalapeno, but you can use bell pepper <br />
2 cloves garlic, minced or shredded <br />
1 cup breadcrumbs<br />
2-3 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese, optional <br />
3 eggs<br />
1 teaspoon Old Bay seafood seasoning <br />
<br />
*Shred the zucchini, sprinkle with salt, mix and set aside. for 10 minutes while you assemble everything else. Rinse with cool water, drain and squeeze dry.<br />
Combine remaining ingredients with zucchini, mixing well. If the mixture is too dry to stick together, add another egg.<br />
<br />
Form into patties about 3-4 inches across and drop into medium-hot vegetable oil. Cook until golden brown, turn over the brown the other side. Keep hot while you cook the remaining patties. This makes 4-5 patties.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PNSyBPK9KuSA4qFVp_PDNjbmUGS5iR8sw8TpxhGTZhZOaUKravA3NwAin5mye6-UxTS5xnMmeM882tzdxoGbbhyphenhyphenQ91Q18Iaw79dWNOQhb9LrSwJG_VA-e7MsBTvFNWEJBzvLiW_YjmW5/s1600/Zucchini-cakes-frying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PNSyBPK9KuSA4qFVp_PDNjbmUGS5iR8sw8TpxhGTZhZOaUKravA3NwAin5mye6-UxTS5xnMmeM882tzdxoGbbhyphenhyphenQ91Q18Iaw79dWNOQhb9LrSwJG_VA-e7MsBTvFNWEJBzvLiW_YjmW5/s1600/Zucchini-cakes-frying.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zucchini patties cooking.</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3q63EvdOl900v1EAe0ixsZ7XnkbS1dyCtT3_j72ii9AOxIw7Zmiw7jtEVUXgD23WL0WwWQ8bLzwdOxybhxAwAxjVjWrZNb4HHe52d9rCx9g95Y2wiyJEK2hDPeBvAAF8XZP4YR8-CrfK/s1600/Zucchini,-kale-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3q63EvdOl900v1EAe0ixsZ7XnkbS1dyCtT3_j72ii9AOxIw7Zmiw7jtEVUXgD23WL0WwWQ8bLzwdOxybhxAwAxjVjWrZNb4HHe52d9rCx9g95Y2wiyJEK2hDPeBvAAF8XZP4YR8-CrfK/s1600/Zucchini,-kale-2.jpg" height="323" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zucchini patties with kale and tomatoes, all from the garden.</td></tr>
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We're enjoying meals totally from the garden, harvested just hours before eating them. We're thankful for every bite.Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-34117091337222770172014-08-31T16:39:00.001-05:002014-08-31T16:39:18.243-05:00September, Hot Sauce Time!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwN_fsRyEXvjcFnQ_YfK3adXmUHeeCeTm1LMc__mS6XCr3exLPmBMqCUeablPhCoLTLTbnuuW8ceKqOn4qIaGll3x9V0qeaCQxRgRQGz-0X-2KfnRc1MMYcqM1e_FRH_Es_zlHQEHtYmy/s1600/Pepper+assortment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwN_fsRyEXvjcFnQ_YfK3adXmUHeeCeTm1LMc__mS6XCr3exLPmBMqCUeablPhCoLTLTbnuuW8ceKqOn4qIaGll3x9V0qeaCQxRgRQGz-0X-2KfnRc1MMYcqM1e_FRH_Es_zlHQEHtYmy/s1600/Pepper+assortment.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot sauce can be made from any peppers you grow.</td></tr>
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This has been an outstanding year for peppers and tomatoes in our area. We've been canning spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce and tomato juice, and now it's time to turn attention to making <a href="http://longcreekherbs.com/proddetail.php?prod=08&cat=7">hot sauce</a> for winter and gifts.<br />
<br />
One of the reasons I write books is so I can keep track of my recipes and my hot sauce book is a good example. When I wrote it, I tried and tested my <a href="http://longcreekherbs.com/proddetail.php?prod=08&cat=7">recipes</a> before putting them in the text. All are easy to follow, can be varied according to your heat preferences and it tells how to preserve, can or freeze each recipe. So this week, I'm making hot sauce!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ejz3cpWzaDYyt84eGlVdQ0G3p-rfT9PYKAHeXR61IX5gdvj-kg35Ido6LLZYjLCWkyMlNdlN7lSE39Mh5M_OyMTu1OYHn3umkNJ7WRR_RWpE52cjzSX9e4v0qprYnHmdH8QhxkvQ-W7y/s1600/Hot+Sauce+Cover+300+x+500+med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ejz3cpWzaDYyt84eGlVdQ0G3p-rfT9PYKAHeXR61IX5gdvj-kg35Ido6LLZYjLCWkyMlNdlN7lSE39Mh5M_OyMTu1OYHn3umkNJ7WRR_RWpE52cjzSX9e4v0qprYnHmdH8QhxkvQ-W7y/s1600/Hot+Sauce+Cover+300+x+500+med.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">40 pages of my own favorite recipes.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Here's one of my recipes, which is quite simple and easy to make. You can keep it in the refrigerator, or can it (instructions are in the book for safely canning hot sauce). To order the book, <a href="http://longcreekherbs.com/proddetail.php?prod=08&cat=7">or read more, click here.</a> <br />
<br />
<b>Quick & Easy Hot Sauce</b><br /><i>This is a tasty, versatile recipe, vary it with the ingredients you have on hand.<br />Use it on scrambled eggs, grilled meats or as a marinade.</i><br /><br />
4 cups coarsely chopped mixed<br />peppers, such as cayenne,<br />Serrano, etc, stems removed but<br />caps left on, stems removed<br />2 1/2 cups distilled white vinegar<br />3-4 garlic cloves, peeled<br />2 teaspoons chili powder<br />1 tablespoon salt<br />
<br />1. Combine the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. If the sauce<br />is too thick, add water.<br />2. Strain, discarding solids, or leave them in where they will continue to<br />further flavor the sauce.<br />3. Refrigerate for up to 5-6 weeks. Makes 3-4 cups.<br />
<br />
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<br />Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-68148557609878691012014-07-28T12:41:00.000-05:002014-07-28T12:59:06.927-05:00St. John's Wort in the LandscapeWe're fortunate to have several St. John's Worts in our area and they are at their finest in mid to late July. This one is known as shrubby St. John's Wort.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlAukDE0lBJzBeAlhOBTkwzbySGIAsSR9JIfVhyO1Wu_1sYw9Gdy5icThE9UdV5Q8XOdXyoMFk3fg5TCAki8fTCCXCYaTkmsoFW25UtDJ821gLUByTMc4QS7xCDWS2ibE7QCI4YCyM0Y_/s1600/St.-John's-Wort-landscape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlAukDE0lBJzBeAlhOBTkwzbySGIAsSR9JIfVhyO1Wu_1sYw9Gdy5icThE9UdV5Q8XOdXyoMFk3fg5TCAki8fTCCXCYaTkmsoFW25UtDJ821gLUByTMc4QS7xCDWS2ibE7QCI4YCyM0Y_/s1600/St.-John's-Wort-landscape.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrubby St. John's Wort (Hypericum prolificum)</td></tr>
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In our area it is almost evergreen, only losing its leaves in the coldest part of winter. The plant grows to 3 or 4 ft. tall and 4-5 ft. wide. It's care-free, has no insect pests and requires little beyond a bit of pruning if it gets larger than I want it to. It also occasionally drops a seed giving me an additional plant to move to another location.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSW0XGgxcFnZCCVdZuKrFQ304cTwNzIiMZYIyEsYkykKSSyWaL16jCSSz5bpAok4JIhkIQx86zg9wAzkcoaTwx32ILgfx3Y3Yh456eGX5TNdtAgLaqTVhaKEUuoPlanc_L64biHQyKB3U5/s1600/St.-John's-Wort-flws.close++.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSW0XGgxcFnZCCVdZuKrFQ304cTwNzIiMZYIyEsYkykKSSyWaL16jCSSz5bpAok4JIhkIQx86zg9wAzkcoaTwx32ILgfx3Y3Yh456eGX5TNdtAgLaqTVhaKEUuoPlanc_L64biHQyKB3U5/s1600/St.-John's-Wort-flws.close++.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrubby St. John's Wort flowers.</td></tr>
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The late Billy Joe Tatum described the fragrance of these as akin to a pleasant burnt sugar or butterscotch smell. The spent flowers turn a pleasant shade of butterscotch-orange.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUwillxQaQM89U-3J9v8hW5W6eoNLzKVPB1kju5xAffDLNHQWeCiSES-ns2NKK_UCPd9tTZUfW9E7zo7ZytRCiMEgRMOnlflSlCI5VnysQ55Et45B6DGMoF1lc-UTTJiWnNKxH0KMUAMn/s1600/Hypericum-prolificum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUwillxQaQM89U-3J9v8hW5W6eoNLzKVPB1kju5xAffDLNHQWeCiSES-ns2NKK_UCPd9tTZUfW9E7zo7ZytRCiMEgRMOnlflSlCI5VnysQ55Et45B6DGMoF1lc-UTTJiWnNKxH0KMUAMn/s1600/Hypericum-prolificum.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)</td></tr>
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The name, <i>perforatum</i>, alludes to the leaves appearing as if they've been perforated. There are tiny "holes" which are actually tiny clear spots scattered about on the leaves. This one grows along roadsides and in fields, about 12-14 inches tall. Bees and butterflies love the flowers.<br />
<br />
St. John's Wort<i> (Hypericum perforatum) </i>has a considerable reputation for use in treating depression by folk healers. If you want to read more about current uses and studies, go to <a href="http://drug.com/">Drug.com</a><br />
by clicking <a href="http://www.drugs.com/npp/st-john-s-wort.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
We have an additional <i>Hypericum</i> growing in our woods that I can't remember the Latin name for. It's low and almost ground-hugging and one of the few plants that grows happily under cedar trees. I may add it here later. For now, I'm just admiring my Shrubby St. John's Wort bush in the front yard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_f2Yq39TW1fCMsxtseogmpz8CPeIVbNjH08mvwQaeeMtY3cJS0TI2pPu3bMpQYIOtJNoDrTAJnhrS1ByT-RAsG-c45mUh_DyOpnGCdbVIyBK51QYXfciFZTAp8uxZ7kRUVKLUOsRcoxH/s1600/St.-John%2527s-Wort-landscape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_f2Yq39TW1fCMsxtseogmpz8CPeIVbNjH08mvwQaeeMtY3cJS0TI2pPu3bMpQYIOtJNoDrTAJnhrS1ByT-RAsG-c45mUh_DyOpnGCdbVIyBK51QYXfciFZTAp8uxZ7kRUVKLUOsRcoxH/s1600/St.-John%2527s-Wort-landscape.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrubby St. John's Wort makes a wonderful addition to the landscape.</td></tr>
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Happy summertime!<br />
<br />
<br />Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-45083969004816502352014-07-20T15:02:00.002-05:002014-07-20T15:02:33.780-05:00300 Year Old John Bartram300 year old John Bartram, in the form of Kirk Ryan Brown, spoke to the Tulsa Herb Society this week. Less known than Carl Linnaeus, the notable plant botanist, Bartram, was responsible for enormous numbers of plant discoveries and plants entering general usage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8akKmpPhUt-RM_ZaH1eadVc0mbtBtBPLH8ZwYMKZZj3aCm_PYiOS_L0RZE3N-cs4_n86fiomJZpTNqF0PRTHduydc-vyFcWVCgxu7vknd9pT_osBzC4orlgm6T8NZGL2YZURh9LyLDK1i/s1600/1765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8akKmpPhUt-RM_ZaH1eadVc0mbtBtBPLH8ZwYMKZZj3aCm_PYiOS_L0RZE3N-cs4_n86fiomJZpTNqF0PRTHduydc-vyFcWVCgxu7vknd9pT_osBzC4orlgm6T8NZGL2YZURh9LyLDK1i/s1600/1765.jpg" height="303" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Bartram, prolific botanist of the 1700s.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9DtPXIxJOmyRbUrtetwLkAgFGsR1hP8nSl2sh_mpARve_ppVEt0F8DzBpMgiwAYrMqRGBo13j15_-4BNV2fWKvMwjdtGLOqe2TcqZoEeT9TPkcrUK1jmwYKb6zX4HovcUIaefiNvrEq9/s1600/John-Bartram-rants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9DtPXIxJOmyRbUrtetwLkAgFGsR1hP8nSl2sh_mpARve_ppVEt0F8DzBpMgiwAYrMqRGBo13j15_-4BNV2fWKvMwjdtGLOqe2TcqZoEeT9TPkcrUK1jmwYKb6zX4HovcUIaefiNvrEq9/s1600/John-Bartram-rants.jpg" height="277" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Bartram ranting about Carl Linnaeus.</td></tr>
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John (Kirk Brown) in the background, shown next to the statue of Carl Linnaeus in Tulsa. John never received the recognition that Linnaeus did, partly because Linnaeus was a self-promoter and a "hog for the headlines" according to Bartram. Carl Linnaeus, did eventually call Bartram "the greatest natural botanist in the world."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrgfQgbq5xMLLiC3lC6nRHCUDADeMVi6HCLSMCbxub-L_tNh4HFR0Dgas7saEkPCmTWvzF1fWoaDiNVQey2Ant-GqtbOgXdHV0YvVuKXccg6cTxa2xB3HHwozLU3_ms9GQztlJc866TA7/s1600/Kirk-Brown-Sue-Stees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrgfQgbq5xMLLiC3lC6nRHCUDADeMVi6HCLSMCbxub-L_tNh4HFR0Dgas7saEkPCmTWvzF1fWoaDiNVQey2Ant-GqtbOgXdHV0YvVuKXccg6cTxa2xB3HHwozLU3_ms9GQztlJc866TA7/s1600/Kirk-Brown-Sue-Stees.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our friend, Sue Stees, who co-hosted Kirk's visit to the Tulsa Herb Society.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSucYwiC5yIXFYYGxl3ZW7_Fd2kQ2BUhthdX4IdCQThLBqnYI3kB8uBwhjGwAItJYlS8Pfzk47O06rz9MeE4Hj7UC-jjD9UvxcMcozfLUQy-N2jCIyJNJDMv9pLp6vWwQZrEeyEohuLTcP/s1600/Snake-slide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSucYwiC5yIXFYYGxl3ZW7_Fd2kQ2BUhthdX4IdCQThLBqnYI3kB8uBwhjGwAItJYlS8Pfzk47O06rz9MeE4Hj7UC-jjD9UvxcMcozfLUQy-N2jCIyJNJDMv9pLp6vWwQZrEeyEohuLTcP/s1600/Snake-slide.jpg" height="311" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Bartram, telling his story of botanizing and seed selling.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Bartram was sometimes called "the father of American botany" because of his extensive plant and seed collecting. Bartram started the first retail seed company in America and the company continued to thrive for several generations after him.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSS0GSPlBJzViQPJH5-BopFo0xMfjHfMxNyFKMh0nOiagw_6UXBqemXRKxvFF2JMErA8hGLtvgjK7PdjieMQCQqQbd4mBy_P1cOTGWR1MsZyHElwU7RcU6Q5zqL5__F1qCiSZyNRGR0AXo/s1600/IMG_8993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSS0GSPlBJzViQPJH5-BopFo0xMfjHfMxNyFKMh0nOiagw_6UXBqemXRKxvFF2JMErA8hGLtvgjK7PdjieMQCQqQbd4mBy_P1cOTGWR1MsZyHElwU7RcU6Q5zqL5__F1qCiSZyNRGR0AXo/s1600/IMG_8993.jpg" height="230" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tables of refreshments were on hand - herb groups always love to eat!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViyoFx0F-uDaLFg8L5rINuQjg8iW1eUb_tIhXXsxEdHWcsbqi0V2_bFUy-EJo6uBvMb3LBAtFT5KozEr48_2T-x24wDiVzTKdh7bu9rDMm5pbvBEJ9j9sBhSFtlyUovRnQdM2RaerQwPs/s1600/Eating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViyoFx0F-uDaLFg8L5rINuQjg8iW1eUb_tIhXXsxEdHWcsbqi0V2_bFUy-EJo6uBvMb3LBAtFT5KozEr48_2T-x24wDiVzTKdh7bu9rDMm5pbvBEJ9j9sBhSFtlyUovRnQdM2RaerQwPs/s1600/Eating.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious refreshments and period beverages were enjoyed by all.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQp5abNpwGh4FL4m_BzCozSksB_LuV3ctE2bNBfH7GjfmrfFDazhFsRtXIkrD0c4a5b_K3lUPMUDhZNf1EN9W-tdEqPQ7FxEWHF3L68yiWgMfNirQjwHUpkKDdpL8TsQSrORHglnACbHPX/s1600/Kirk-Brown-flags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQp5abNpwGh4FL4m_BzCozSksB_LuV3ctE2bNBfH7GjfmrfFDazhFsRtXIkrD0c4a5b_K3lUPMUDhZNf1EN9W-tdEqPQ7FxEWHF3L68yiWgMfNirQjwHUpkKDdpL8TsQSrORHglnACbHPX/s1600/Kirk-Brown-flags.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Bartram, an American hero.</td></tr>
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Bartram's contribution to American agriculture and gardening is enormous. While Carl Linneaus got publicity and naming rights to enormous numbers of plants, Bartram is almost forgotten today.<br />
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Bartram's Gardens survive to this day and you can visit them. <a href="http://www.bartramsgarden.org/">Here's the link</a> to details.<br />
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<br />Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-9793202197565130552014-07-10T16:32:00.001-05:002014-07-10T16:40:46.561-05:00Long Creek Herb Farm Garden on a Rainy Day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUkD1wlQA2mob9aydXB3WpCS22qdDsSefTZ-4CQuQnUsQvuKakYehXMHKMLyUY51LrMM1juaQHIwAGig8Big-XqP9QjGKRG2uyO0_wb8N5ubvz6X01nqY3fbWelujbn8nB5SOekThNQWV/s1600/Herb-Shop-Jul-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUkD1wlQA2mob9aydXB3WpCS22qdDsSefTZ-4CQuQnUsQvuKakYehXMHKMLyUY51LrMM1juaQHIwAGig8Big-XqP9QjGKRG2uyO0_wb8N5ubvz6X01nqY3fbWelujbn8nB5SOekThNQWV/s1600/Herb-Shop-Jul-2014.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Herb Shop where I sell my books and products when we have tours.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnLfXlhV9Csmw_mhmhVkaSZ0NoCNRyqhnEdjh8YOcZ1bedYAW5Uk8z0NpRO4aC_OYA5TU9a_XqjhlJ7bikbWh5cMbQTe5Kln0I3QTVtACYfYytJag96URWi5zKYIORBMfpef7bdT6AvRs/s1600/Gazebo-Gate..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnLfXlhV9Csmw_mhmhVkaSZ0NoCNRyqhnEdjh8YOcZ1bedYAW5Uk8z0NpRO4aC_OYA5TU9a_XqjhlJ7bikbWh5cMbQTe5Kln0I3QTVtACYfYytJag96URWi5zKYIORBMfpef7bdT6AvRs/s1600/Gazebo-Gate..jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gazebo and one of the several gates to the garden.</span></td></tr>
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A lightly rainy day in the garden today gives the plants a happy, unusual color. Glad for the rain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNHtrKVxQkzmzJY7i7T9c7kgVSLtN46Tuln_rSPO_FSDPm4iAQ6hzTmKRoTAiQD_PSq6HNPYAUOgnmfaQAf8Ca7a8cfy3SCrAwo5G9-L-4o82xVMxB6myUaWZCBETSFRJax2-UpgEt8xk/s1600/Herb-beds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNHtrKVxQkzmzJY7i7T9c7kgVSLtN46Tuln_rSPO_FSDPm4iAQ6hzTmKRoTAiQD_PSq6HNPYAUOgnmfaQAf8Ca7a8cfy3SCrAwo5G9-L-4o82xVMxB6myUaWZCBETSFRJax2-UpgEt8xk/s1600/Herb-beds.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some of the culinary beds.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHXLyCWTQ7p2cjV91nMdso2OoQdmOkERY3wW6I0naDh9r7z3spieoS-jf0_kFJzmYdo5DAIv3EBn7Hok6Jv4LDKWyP54VobBN574kIKllgwznEivdUV8IIt8oY9iT06SKNCMfgrhrgIs4/s1600/Bluebird-in-house.lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHXLyCWTQ7p2cjV91nMdso2OoQdmOkERY3wW6I0naDh9r7z3spieoS-jf0_kFJzmYdo5DAIv3EBn7Hok6Jv4LDKWyP54VobBN574kIKllgwznEivdUV8IIt8oY9iT06SKNCMfgrhrgIs4/s1600/Bluebird-in-house.lr.jpg" height="353" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A momma bluebird watches me take photos.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQnMTS_-odrTAKgCk0B2PHR0OZsulCxMldEBhvnvEIdxBvKprZcpMi1Q3oLRSivFSqFOE1IhdY9oqjvvxcl_OClAdYP9FYh4fqr_2Xc4umcV0L_geiOCv67g38Szw35yymIaKjNbrXfGr/s1600/Basils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQnMTS_-odrTAKgCk0B2PHR0OZsulCxMldEBhvnvEIdxBvKprZcpMi1Q3oLRSivFSqFOE1IhdY9oqjvvxcl_OClAdYP9FYh4fqr_2Xc4umcV0L_geiOCv67g38Szw35yymIaKjNbrXfGr/s1600/Basils.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Two of the 12 varieties of basil we have this year.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOWcMTywZw9BkPlU-Erty7DUKRm4vBbIdwirO1uSUcgZdmhsZe-RZ7NLEuPev30oyRq629nKOLHT9S0N0swSOMS40KHb0hsTpIZxdio9S1x2bF9MywcRK5ZZ_mTyYBzXEcEKy-RGNQmaR/s1600/Lillies-statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOWcMTywZw9BkPlU-Erty7DUKRm4vBbIdwirO1uSUcgZdmhsZe-RZ7NLEuPev30oyRq629nKOLHT9S0N0swSOMS40KHb0hsTpIZxdio9S1x2bF9MywcRK5ZZ_mTyYBzXEcEKy-RGNQmaR/s1600/Lillies-statue.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">These lilies are wildly fragrant in the late afternoon.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhME3Hi8bCACFxJpE_Y8Ph4CeqHoLe7EFe9DWTkB5YUkC69SFOMOviqeF_GFq8QSxjXtOhn28nk2w2ugBe5tMD66BHQ42N2R7fGlsZUOKkZ5nxMVlVG7nazNAyiFAYkoMX15EuTOmPlGI0h/s1600/Seat-under-gazebo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhME3Hi8bCACFxJpE_Y8Ph4CeqHoLe7EFe9DWTkB5YUkC69SFOMOviqeF_GFq8QSxjXtOhn28nk2w2ugBe5tMD66BHQ42N2R7fGlsZUOKkZ5nxMVlVG7nazNAyiFAYkoMX15EuTOmPlGI0h/s1600/Seat-under-gazebo.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cool place to sit under the gazebo.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dTorNXKbhBGu4Y70eZZmHowOHErnjMjsNzaykYzUnJ_v-ZyTGBPuLbAw2ZsXjD5s3BK0FGG5BkuHfwHmlz2l8oriWYPQqPezyQLsbES8MvYGkgsMLJ-i1d4ogbzN5cJBqMyh6b1evNEq/s1600/Arbor-teepee-path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dTorNXKbhBGu4Y70eZZmHowOHErnjMjsNzaykYzUnJ_v-ZyTGBPuLbAw2ZsXjD5s3BK0FGG5BkuHfwHmlz2l8oriWYPQqPezyQLsbES8MvYGkgsMLJ-i1d4ogbzN5cJBqMyh6b1evNEq/s1600/Arbor-teepee-path.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yard long beans on the left, rose arbor in the distance.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNyheLgk5Am9MHTlRdlaP0azTs-g77E2poL7tqgEOJTiJSNKdNwijWkLhpBmrgNv1lXHx__Eeys8kZALAs2FPLmMDwJn3qhyOjZ2pVNylPYhwvRNbx7YDXOR8KK6e1rpkpiklMelo2p-7/s1600/Peppers-bananas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNyheLgk5Am9MHTlRdlaP0azTs-g77E2poL7tqgEOJTiJSNKdNwijWkLhpBmrgNv1lXHx__Eeys8kZALAs2FPLmMDwJn3qhyOjZ2pVNylPYhwvRNbx7YDXOR8KK6e1rpkpiklMelo2p-7/s1600/Peppers-bananas.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Various pepper varieties in foreground, hardy bananas in the background.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NyaMC-uQXchR2EGmr7oDZ2NCTfKmGU5Na4sOZmRkexv74oeMIZ-6ZkNTL739bDHDNxUi3KxZ1cGdtxj-2gGPfSJYTKtXYzTqXNgWTauAOxS_tscQcuXzR1U1nypbLHN0I-7LeIqU-mki/s1600/Muscadines-on-arbor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NyaMC-uQXchR2EGmr7oDZ2NCTfKmGU5Na4sOZmRkexv74oeMIZ-6ZkNTL739bDHDNxUi3KxZ1cGdtxj-2gGPfSJYTKtXYzTqXNgWTauAOxS_tscQcuXzR1U1nypbLHN0I-7LeIqU-mki/s1600/Muscadines-on-arbor.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bountiful crop of muscadine grapes this year.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOW2icosxiVMJljpE74xmpbtP-NFgeKbh_Y6YVrRdgLLzz8cPGN3y17_UbpvNS2b2-vtR-Gs6-Oev2WKyihViQ4tkxPQs4l3syoBSDqnQF5Fjqdzqnqdmgtd7JTHOeskmQZVVzh9bjaFT/s1600/Grandma-Long's-rocker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOW2icosxiVMJljpE74xmpbtP-NFgeKbh_Y6YVrRdgLLzz8cPGN3y17_UbpvNS2b2-vtR-Gs6-Oev2WKyihViQ4tkxPQs4l3syoBSDqnQF5Fjqdzqnqdmgtd7JTHOeskmQZVVzh9bjaFT/s1600/Grandma-Long's-rocker.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> My Grandma Long's rocking chair, too worn to still rock.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> That's what our garden looks like on a rainy day.</span><br />
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Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-86304486937728605722014-07-06T17:25:00.001-05:002014-07-06T17:26:55.891-05:00Coffee for Roses C.L. FornariIf you listened to NPR Weekend Edition Sunday (today, July 6), you would have heard Linda Wortheimer's interview with C.L. Fornari about her new book, Coffee for Roses. If you missed it, you can <a href="http://kuer.org/post/coffee-roses-and-other-garden-myths-debunked">click here to listen to the interview</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQ4a_XNQO2GPX9f2IwjX4qMvLtwDsKwazkSq8hIhyphenhyphen9f-H5psxrFw0DC5a0gO8xvsKk2G2GKZKZrmQ-sFetei_p0wNCxhiMts1f9g-8bY64M8uZXg5mKHFlL9IwcLr8P8_qBV6M5xozcLy/s1600/Coffee-for-Roses-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQ4a_XNQO2GPX9f2IwjX4qMvLtwDsKwazkSq8hIhyphenhyphen9f-H5psxrFw0DC5a0gO8xvsKk2G2GKZKZrmQ-sFetei_p0wNCxhiMts1f9g-8bY64M8uZXg5mKHFlL9IwcLr8P8_qBV6M5xozcLy/s1600/Coffee-for-Roses-image.jpg" height="371" width="400" /></a></div>
Coffee for Roses...and 70 Other Misleading Myths about Backyard Gardening, is a delightfully readable book, packed with delicious surprises. C.L. Fornari is host of the very popular GardenLine radio show on WXTK and describes herself as a true "garden geek."<br />
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I met C.L. at our annual Garden Writers Association conference many years ago and have been anticipating her newest book release. This morning, while I ate my breakfast and listened to NPR Weekend Edition Sunday, I had the book beside my coffee and read along as Linda Worthheimer interviewed C.L.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLfPMs9FkWGilVSsn71jRIsABgM8XA_hMoMJUc79RB9y03kVlbyFkhNdOuNxJ5nxQPbAsJTnCZVwWCU3LzkCx5meS_RWeKpHLZO4jf365cKH-gorUsJ0UCEvcMc5sP61Nq-u9RoHThGQp/s1600/cl_pic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLfPMs9FkWGilVSsn71jRIsABgM8XA_hMoMJUc79RB9y03kVlbyFkhNdOuNxJ5nxQPbAsJTnCZVwWCU3LzkCx5meS_RWeKpHLZO4jf365cKH-gorUsJ0UCEvcMc5sP61Nq-u9RoHThGQp/s1600/cl_pic1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C.L. Fornari</td></tr>
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Some of the myths C.L. "busted" in her extensive research, include:<br />
- Rusty nails turn hydrangeas blue (I've heard that all my life)<br />
- Cedar mulch keeps bugs out the garden<br />
- Eggshells prevent blossom end rot on tomatoes (another myth I've long believed; I think I'm disappointed it's not true!)<br />
- Plant red flowers to attract hummingbirds. Research has shown hummingbirds don't care one bit about color, they go where the nectar is. That also means they don't care if the hummingbird feeder is red or purple!<br />
- Marigolds keep bugs out of the vegetable garden. Tests show no benefit from inter-planting marigolds in the garden.<br />
-Don't plant pumpkins near squash because they'll cross-pollinate. I've heard that myth many times, as well as the other silly one, "don't plant fennel and dill together because they'll cross-pollinate." Plants only cross with other plants in the same species.<br />
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Not only is this great little book filled with myths busted, but also outstanding information about successfully growing vegetable crops. "When Squash Don't Produce" for example, gives specifics for trouble-shooting your squash plants to find the problem and fix it.<br />
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C.L. Fornari explains why oak leaves and pine needles do not make compost or soil more acidic, and why putting a layer or rocks or broken clay pots in the bottom of pots for drainage is a bad idea.<br />
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This is a fabulous book, full of great information and now-dead myths that many of us have held dear for decades. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Coffee-Roses-Misleading-Backyard-Gardening/dp/0989268837">You can order it here</a> and I believe you will be delighted with this highly-entertaining, very educational, downright exciting book!<br />
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You can read <a href="http://www.gardenlady.com/about/">more about C.L. on her GardenLady website</a>.Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-49103579460427182012014-06-24T17:35:00.002-05:002014-06-24T17:35:32.019-05:00Annual LobsterfestI don't know if 2 years in a row makes for an annual event, but as far as I'm concerned, it does. Our friends at Bear Creek Farm - Jim and Robbins Hail, and Wild Goose Gardens - Mike and Susan Jones, along with their garden interns, kids, grandkids and a whole passel of friends and neighbors, once again had a big feast in Mike and Susan's back, front and side yards. Following here are some of the highlights, 52 people including 20 kids, 45 lobsters, 40 ears of corn and more pies, cakes, casseroles, salads and other dishes than anyone could count. The lobsters came from flyinglobsters.com, in case you want to order up a bunch for your own back yard get together. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Propane cookers being fired up by Ed and Josh with Robbins supervising.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethan Jones gave tours of his cut flower operation, which looked great.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh, Ed and Lonnie checking the water temperatures.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh Young giving Lobster 101 demonstration.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While the water heats, Liz attacks a salad.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids took to removing the rubber bands on the claws quickly and were good help.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ed pulling cooked lobsters out of the pots.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-oM2IcB7iw5kYhdMxUvXgUi3ATVXTMnFm9e77gsi72FCgbrm2w3uRHWXDYkvPuFk2FmGOcQxHfVhpGXqzPlGWT_FetASG8Dg7WH7zck1SZSf4-aEwORTX5mU1BHBEgi9DZdxq9RZI0PA/s1600/Lobsters-are-ready!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-oM2IcB7iw5kYhdMxUvXgUi3ATVXTMnFm9e77gsi72FCgbrm2w3uRHWXDYkvPuFk2FmGOcQxHfVhpGXqzPlGWT_FetASG8Dg7WH7zck1SZSf4-aEwORTX5mU1BHBEgi9DZdxq9RZI0PA/s1600/Lobsters-are-ready!.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lobsters are ready!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK51luRF2bkZJoRMA10dzBVktAc4-PHPyqVguhGMZG8Fo97zGyM8jQMXKhaoHb1iOslfL6TnkfNr7twldBoTSuHjQ5RD1n7kfd6QWg6oXPshOYCmeU1bV4JbTOdxkzdRzp3e1DN03xnee/s1600/Table-of-food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK51luRF2bkZJoRMA10dzBVktAc4-PHPyqVguhGMZG8Fo97zGyM8jQMXKhaoHb1iOslfL6TnkfNr7twldBoTSuHjQ5RD1n7kfd6QWg6oXPshOYCmeU1bV4JbTOdxkzdRzp3e1DN03xnee/s1600/Table-of-food.jpg" height="376" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half of the table of food. Desserts came later.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJnvm6pkxim2KBx-HAjb_i1HgQ-2jhyL1K_C0FquHwNOPwU2-4rMIKhc2jiMErUebEdTTkUGgTU7MtOQ-bQh0OtSVBHrZm19KBNEaXMQmzHnfeVnjMHF7ioTS8jDx1yCGQ6VIbu1QwtyH/s1600/Mmmm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJnvm6pkxim2KBx-HAjb_i1HgQ-2jhyL1K_C0FquHwNOPwU2-4rMIKhc2jiMErUebEdTTkUGgTU7MtOQ-bQh0OtSVBHrZm19KBNEaXMQmzHnfeVnjMHF7ioTS8jDx1yCGQ6VIbu1QwtyH/s1600/Mmmm.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The food line begins.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvPh8THG3L-wd6DmDB7j8cpm7dw5iebfQW9uqpv9dNlWDtGu6EuInN6nXYIObzLCE5b3WERUabopIX6kknW4M6jkqH7imshwFJZLGMDrDyXEX5bhGJZMes6oteG1P9dVcGBxntE_X5O_8/s1600/Ruan's-first-lobster.sm++.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvPh8THG3L-wd6DmDB7j8cpm7dw5iebfQW9uqpv9dNlWDtGu6EuInN6nXYIObzLCE5b3WERUabopIX6kknW4M6jkqH7imshwFJZLGMDrDyXEX5bhGJZMes6oteG1P9dVcGBxntE_X5O_8/s1600/Ruan's-first-lobster.sm++.jpg" height="292" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruan, who works with Ethan, ate his first lobster that day. Seems there aren't lobsters in Sri Lanka.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxFV1eJX9Bqw7b8JSYIibrOlvqNhVFMzyLfterRxBR7GzLTro6DeXCjOaQvlTtdU-WsC32FR6UW3wyGcrZaVNDwiZMJ9S4jlhTDwTnN3iKrrb8wOrbry_Wn6MxCrZv6otK3VCk8Y_OtHF/s1600/Hanging-pinata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxFV1eJX9Bqw7b8JSYIibrOlvqNhVFMzyLfterRxBR7GzLTro6DeXCjOaQvlTtdU-WsC32FR6UW3wyGcrZaVNDwiZMJ9S4jlhTDwTnN3iKrrb8wOrbry_Wn6MxCrZv6otK3VCk8Y_OtHF/s1600/Hanging-pinata.jpg" height="325" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debbie Jones made a lobster pinata, Josh is hanging it up for the kids to hit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjnfTeTKsU50Sd_l2U56WUcPrG3J0_meLj8Cw8hFLCmumI9hIRQGW4k07v5GoMmlNGldCstHpgh_q3Eo5Q37T8GymimpuPKMdUeSBypGBqhCfTXfEXgWut9kH8exBwZBIqX2prtxLdumK/s1600/Lobster-pinata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjnfTeTKsU50Sd_l2U56WUcPrG3J0_meLj8Cw8hFLCmumI9hIRQGW4k07v5GoMmlNGldCstHpgh_q3Eo5Q37T8GymimpuPKMdUeSBypGBqhCfTXfEXgWut9kH8exBwZBIqX2prtxLdumK/s1600/Lobster-pinata.jpg" height="400" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lobster pinata.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmCZayVJH8gpP1ftaJkBQAehbsvdNqF2Tw3EfwSm2EaRGGIDUHxXWV1MuiVOLcfGctSL_UVaVJBqA-5MUqgU-b42gVKyhcfNun5HvhRdxOgJRvzVbEu7c2h39j3Dy-W1iRwSUWd_-kTFx/s1600/Pinata-rules.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmCZayVJH8gpP1ftaJkBQAehbsvdNqF2Tw3EfwSm2EaRGGIDUHxXWV1MuiVOLcfGctSL_UVaVJBqA-5MUqgU-b42gVKyhcfNun5HvhRdxOgJRvzVbEu7c2h39j3Dy-W1iRwSUWd_-kTFx/s1600/Pinata-rules.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who better than an attorney to explain the rules of the game!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Lx-Wggd1ax4xFrojoQUeXbfNcOu68ewLxHSbHtqX0-KGeERosRM2wgcDvWqKxyP7tPkOTamVxGGF6C8_uH2ZkBabw1N_3DVR_qN8IQHfq0mv3gXoC0KawDKc57QjV_xD5swW_-40EtHm/s1600/Lining-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Lx-Wggd1ax4xFrojoQUeXbfNcOu68ewLxHSbHtqX0-KGeERosRM2wgcDvWqKxyP7tPkOTamVxGGF6C8_uH2ZkBabw1N_3DVR_qN8IQHfq0mv3gXoC0KawDKc57QjV_xD5swW_-40EtHm/s1600/Lining-up.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children, ready to whack the pinata for candy treats.</td></tr>
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But what the day was about, more than lobsters, corn, casseroles, gooseberry, pecan or chocolate pies, or anything else, was an opportunity for friends and families to get together and visit. And there was a lot of that that went on!Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7445073115141249182.post-91513702759441610102014-05-07T09:53:00.002-05:002014-05-07T09:53:31.565-05:00Elephant Rocks and Pickle SpringsJosh and I went on a short trip last week before the Baker Creek Spring Festival, where I was speaking. Our trip took us to Elephant Rocks State Park, Johnson Shut-Ins, Mammoth State Park and Pickle Springs Nature Preserve. At Pickle Springs we found a colony of unidentified plants (below). Funny, I can pass a dozen people on the street and not feel I need to know everyone's names, but when I cross paths with a plant I don't know, I just have to find the name. Now I know, these are American Colombo (Frasera spp.).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltAuOqv8UFnw976sc2qV08w7e1qeeiYmJEK8YLP4PYSpKnTl-KB71WDscqAjhXI5YcEFr6s0khUup5BwtvmCjo-Jgtq7VYeaWycRirPyEPn-J9qVSbET3OHzLv_Yq5XK8D_SdTtTYhdHa/s1600/Frasera-American+Columbo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltAuOqv8UFnw976sc2qV08w7e1qeeiYmJEK8YLP4PYSpKnTl-KB71WDscqAjhXI5YcEFr6s0khUup5BwtvmCjo-Jgtq7VYeaWycRirPyEPn-J9qVSbET3OHzLv_Yq5XK8D_SdTtTYhdHa/s1600/Frasera-American+Columbo-3.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American columbo - Frasera caroliniensis</td></tr>
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Perfect time to walk in the woods, so many wildflowers, mushrooms and trees in bloom.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPo7mIFXW3avJhu9EtGtdxTG0nTOi1Y8W_78D3WalWwhmDMReB3RcGyEhJ5LOIP3h7kDU6DjAugYcgc0VMEk3pYXE6Go0SZDSVf2dCqdTmAnY8hklj5oEMbvgtNi7wEOvQfV_HLjfjtLV/s1600/Creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPo7mIFXW3avJhu9EtGtdxTG0nTOi1Y8W_78D3WalWwhmDMReB3RcGyEhJ5LOIP3h7kDU6DjAugYcgc0VMEk3pYXE6Go0SZDSVf2dCqdTmAnY8hklj5oEMbvgtNi7wEOvQfV_HLjfjtLV/s1600/Creek.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stream from Pickle Springs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q0CakxkMb5MSjRelk5ZC-ehZD7wEelZ-2nYaThngkAxuhxgNrbhSCi_4M31EqIH8hbaD9YC5k3qbIJIffjauq2tnphjV1yxByRqj_X1MwQlTFJ6mKWvnyj3cHnLfHPEteV6TrWHgT16y/s1600/Elephant-boulders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q0CakxkMb5MSjRelk5ZC-ehZD7wEelZ-2nYaThngkAxuhxgNrbhSCi_4M31EqIH8hbaD9YC5k3qbIJIffjauq2tnphjV1yxByRqj_X1MwQlTFJ6mKWvnyj3cHnLfHPEteV6TrWHgT16y/s1600/Elephant-boulders.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephant rocks, atop the mountain, amazing.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAybOvj4NGZ_JZ499zTKgp4Gzd5H4lkYj4TK7sV_ZjoseBW0RB1oQo5GTx8Qj7roGF476pbvZAAoWaaszyZWE2SmG-qZIZMIzTpAQVSMyaJ86LVz9pd187bmFYsv1tSEgRAME9-y8XNk9/s1600/Tree-on-rocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAybOvj4NGZ_JZ499zTKgp4Gzd5H4lkYj4TK7sV_ZjoseBW0RB1oQo5GTx8Qj7roGF476pbvZAAoWaaszyZWE2SmG-qZIZMIzTpAQVSMyaJ86LVz9pd187bmFYsv1tSEgRAME9-y8XNk9/s1600/Tree-on-rocks.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqH5GGJ8u43UqAmqDHc_xexHjfKvXieABwWccTODa1qSdZZBUEc6Uem0S4TKXkbSfPPlI97Q69ggfEEL_yANDIsHZ3BdFkL3YAmDtZYULm3pNWdqar87H-TriPE1hY96zyiURkqR-nU83/s1600/Kissing-rocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqH5GGJ8u43UqAmqDHc_xexHjfKvXieABwWccTODa1qSdZZBUEc6Uem0S4TKXkbSfPPlI97Q69ggfEEL_yANDIsHZ3BdFkL3YAmDtZYULm3pNWdqar87H-TriPE1hY96zyiURkqR-nU83/s1600/Kissing-rocks.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many "kissing rocks" at Pickle Springs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7Hzpa4W7eeXYYdWXVJwj21DGojLcbhxj2sbkwt4creTjlL0xzKqsCwQnhWhOWh5WbRVsmZc92nW-PKlqUoL1jIfsHMquSLBFniH0g2Zkr4NLxPKhvD6IrDf7aIRJvEtg9D0-npJD2pkA/s1600/Rattlesnake-orchid-Goodyera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7Hzpa4W7eeXYYdWXVJwj21DGojLcbhxj2sbkwt4creTjlL0xzKqsCwQnhWhOWh5WbRVsmZc92nW-PKlqUoL1jIfsHMquSLBFniH0g2Zkr4NLxPKhvD6IrDf7aIRJvEtg9D0-npJD2pkA/s1600/Rattlesnake-orchid-Goodyera.jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rattlesnake orchid, a plant which doesn't grow where I live.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkxz3ARe7X2jMTM9_-MPoIQJ1q5DhSy_KZFBvcvM6m7F1BxvboNryNm3_Q3kd8gWSsYcIzNOh72McqD98aqFJiUKkcWH8HbS8GVu9XQqni6YcvBXD8NQDgYEvASgkhYyoMScolzCe5Rq0/s1600/Fat-man's-trap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkxz3ARe7X2jMTM9_-MPoIQJ1q5DhSy_KZFBvcvM6m7F1BxvboNryNm3_Q3kd8gWSsYcIzNOh72McqD98aqFJiUKkcWH8HbS8GVu9XQqni6YcvBXD8NQDgYEvASgkhYyoMScolzCe5Rq0/s1600/Fat-man's-trap.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Fat man's trap", I was glad I could pass through easily.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80M0X1sY1-MgJq8GyH2svpqC4aNHRVy3G49SkDtQxcwJ3orErZ8hRzr6vH50y3rYKX5fUbhY0juvYONMwI_BlztnWmESRzqqG0PkcCC2AhrSdV6BNp1zZWpSkq72pgeKCM3jhE0Xs6dGj/s1600/Ferns-base-of-bluff-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80M0X1sY1-MgJq8GyH2svpqC4aNHRVy3G49SkDtQxcwJ3orErZ8hRzr6vH50y3rYKX5fUbhY0juvYONMwI_BlztnWmESRzqqG0PkcCC2AhrSdV6BNp1zZWpSkq72pgeKCM3jhE0Xs6dGj/s1600/Ferns-base-of-bluff-2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferns at the base of the rocks, I just love seeing these in spring!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGhZSSykx4RUCEG7X3tAtxdljxwCCrJ-PDn-i36p_BaLQO3SeF9WW1EUTvLIL-HRu-1n04PkzCBXFFNiao6qJvYoE2xZvqvO9uPzBleBmpSoEP8Ku4eyekb8Wv0-C6dcIcgxS3Ts3zmas/s1600/Morel-in-woods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGhZSSykx4RUCEG7X3tAtxdljxwCCrJ-PDn-i36p_BaLQO3SeF9WW1EUTvLIL-HRu-1n04PkzCBXFFNiao6qJvYoE2xZvqvO9uPzBleBmpSoEP8Ku4eyekb8Wv0-C6dcIcgxS3Ts3zmas/s1600/Morel-in-woods.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even though our morel season is over in the Ozarks, they were still finding them up near St. Louis.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2oQCjVg1aLBrs4vrW2EIAaQtO0uXOYClNvYUbfl_djXmXK6CphgQuL9vDG1xv4crpxY35_AR4LltP-s-E2xHJnY1Wr8q6qZnhkqOhA5ONePz98ezrwSooOwBQYco6SDVptGjAMtHHCwC/s1600/Dogwood-flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2oQCjVg1aLBrs4vrW2EIAaQtO0uXOYClNvYUbfl_djXmXK6CphgQuL9vDG1xv4crpxY35_AR4LltP-s-E2xHJnY1Wr8q6qZnhkqOhA5ONePz98ezrwSooOwBQYco6SDVptGjAMtHHCwC/s1600/Dogwood-flowers.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I always think of my mother when I see dogwoods in bloom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubl3zvNdOehUEb157bdODVvd-z2dV3f453tsMExrVdP62jf73Bi0SeQwKJEDFZfvMq3Vmt_7oKnp-SG6-a-qshMVl2ZqqxeM9AWfiLQ_MjaL3Uk_jStxHnFNIDLJM1sQ8Bg33lXyp-n2j/s1600/Turtles-on-log.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubl3zvNdOehUEb157bdODVvd-z2dV3f453tsMExrVdP62jf73Bi0SeQwKJEDFZfvMq3Vmt_7oKnp-SG6-a-qshMVl2ZqqxeM9AWfiLQ_MjaL3Uk_jStxHnFNIDLJM1sQ8Bg33lXyp-n2j/s1600/Turtles-on-log.jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turtles sunning themselves in the old quarry at Elephant Rocks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_BGqKJE8O0fqSFbJYMt4wTZ0pFeMxmCPeqqHpmvfgRN4TntiSZRdCWOiciIn10XVsfDZEtLWdMG7wlSMBIvZHP5eIOyJsmp08-MT6qrJDx2tRpMxozOZmjXunnf7JDNqfE7zg2uM7HkP/s1600/Pinacle-rocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_BGqKJE8O0fqSFbJYMt4wTZ0pFeMxmCPeqqHpmvfgRN4TntiSZRdCWOiciIn10XVsfDZEtLWdMG7wlSMBIvZHP5eIOyJsmp08-MT6qrJDx2tRpMxozOZmjXunnf7JDNqfE7zg2uM7HkP/s1600/Pinacle-rocks.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What amazing things nature creates!</td></tr>
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<br />Jim Longs Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018979072600103985noreply@blogger.com0