Gardening

The First Frost Came Early

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Even if you know your growing zone, your actual predicted "first frost date" can vary based on your microclimate. We are in growing zone 7a; our predicted first frost date is October 21st, but it will come by October 31st. This year it came early, on the evening of October 17th/early morning of the 18th.… Continue reading The First Frost Came Early

The Countertop 360 Freeze Dryer
Freeze Drying · Prepping · Preserving

The Countertop 360 Freeze Dryer

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We have had a Harvest Right Large freeze-dryer since 2022 and have used it extensively. Often in ways I wasn’t expecting. If you’d like to see all our posts on creating shelf-stable food, check them out here. This fall, Harvest Right announced an all-new freeze-dryer, designed from the ground up. It wouldn’t be big; it… Continue reading The Countertop 360 Freeze Dryer

Bacon Cheddar Scones
Recipes

Bacon Cheddar Scones

SarahLeave a comment

When my oldest was tiny, and I was far too young, I worked as a vendor at our island farmers' market. I was selling herbs, soap I made, vegetables...and I often made scones. Back then, before the state I lived in messed it up, if you made "safe" baked goods, you could bring them to… Continue reading Bacon Cheddar Scones

Sodapop’s Chocolate Cake
Recipes

Sodapop’s Chocolate Cake

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The Outsiders is still read in 9th grade, as it has been since I was a Gen X teen. My youngest is in 9th grade this year, a freshman, and his Lit class is reading it. They offered extra credit for baking Sodapop's chocolate cake over the weekend. Alistaire and I baked it together, took… Continue reading Sodapop’s Chocolate Cake

September In The Garden
Gardening

September In The Garden

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September 2026. A month in photos. Started out hot. Had a chill the third week; it went down to 40* one night. Flowers came back as temps dropped from the 90s into the 80s, then fell as low as 58 on the first day of fall. And on the last day of the month, it… Continue reading September In The Garden