Omi's Shed

My Omi back in 1930's?
My Grandmother had this incredible garden in her back yard. I think this was the shed before it was built. It kind of looks like an island bar in the tropics. Just thinking about my Omi and Germany.

The weather in Chicagoland is rainy and gray. Thanksgiving is right around the corner but we haven't had any snow yet.

I'm searching the web pages for farm activities and found a seminar in La Cross, Wisconsin in February. I'm so antsy to learn all I can but with winter coming, gardening and farming is kind of on hold.

I check farms for sale almost everyday and there are some beautiful properties all over. Can't wait.

Garden Plot Empty

No pictures to upload today. I need to download new ones.

The garden plot is empty. The only thing remaining are 3 brussel sprout plants with lots of tiny sprouts. I've been picking them and the past two meals, they tasted a little bitter. I think that's it for them. They never grew very large and the bitter flavor isn't right. Maybe something in the soil has contaminated them. Not sure. Last year they were delicious.

I met with the residents of the Community Nursing Home this past Saturday and baked Carrot Cake cupcakes (last of the garden carrots) and a bread pudding with Whiskey sauce. That was some good stuff. The sauce I mean. The attendance was almost all ladies with only one gentleman and they had a great time. I asked them all what flowers they would like to see next year and all said Roses. Well... I don't have the space but maybe I can find a climber to place on the trellis. One of the residents, named Barbara ( I like other Barbara's) was raised on a farm in her youth and had over 1,000 chickens. She had some stories. I can talk to them all day long.

Future plans for next year is that I'm going to enlarge the plot and plant a field of multi-colored sunflowers. Not the tall ones, the shorter cuttable flowers. And Wheat as my previous post mentions. Wheat - just a small few rows. Grind and bake some bread.

I've also been reading about Sugar Maple Trees. You tap them in the winter and have syrup. Our Condo complex has quite a few so I need to drill a hole, place a bucket and wait. Oh yes - and ask for permission. Ha Ha

Thanks for reading.

Garden late fall

Zinnia's in November! Saturday I took down all the tall stalks of the multi colored zinnias and cleaned up the plot. Some of the stalks were over 6 feet high. The small orange patch is still too beautiful to tear out.

A week ago, I dragged Bobby to a farm learning day at the Heritage Prairie Farm in La Fox, IL. An organization called Craft puts on learning days throughout the area and this was the last one for this year.

They needed help moving a hoop house. The day was beautiful. About 10 people came and everyone brought a dish to share. A young man named Gregory made incredible Sushi rolls - now, I'm not a sushi fan - especially some raw fish thing in the middle of the Midwest - BUT his were 100% vegetable and incredible. Sunflower paste with carrots and celery rolled in a seaweed leaf. I know it doesn't sound good but wow! It was.

Everyone was so nice and interesting to listen and talk to. I picked up tips from a farmer in Rockford and from the tour guide. Just one of the best days! I can't wait to go on another. Have to wait until spring now. In the meantime, I've been reading Joel Salatin's book and learning a lot about setting up a sustainable farm. I'm totally consumed.