Weekly Challenge Update- Chicken soup for the goal

Crunchy’s Food Waste Challenge:

After yesterday's cow fest, i thought I would get a little more sustainable- this was tonights lunch at work

Some chicken soup- No Idea why it turned so dark- all it had was some leftover chicken, some lentils, some lentil sprouts and chicken stock and some leftover peas. It was tasty!

Anyway here we go-

SUNDAY-No Food waste-Froze pizza leftover from Super Bowl Sunday- will take to work as lunch
MONDAY-Peels from an avocado, trying to root the pit-
TUESDAY- No food waste
WEDNESDAY- add coffee grounds for the week from work, orange peels to food waste
THURSDAY-Saved chicken from dinner to make in soup- Chicken Bones
FRIDAY- Made coca cola pot roast- saved and froze au jus to make soup later. Made Chicken and lentil soup in little crock pot for lunch tomorrow-No Food Waste
SATURDAY- Took soup to work, had a second bowl for dinner- No Food Waste

TOTAL FOOD WASTE- 22.7 ounces of foodwaste- The baggie of coffee grounds is going into the compost, I could have boiled the chicken bones to get 100% of the meat but didn't- The avacado peelings and orange peelings along with chicken bones are going into the Yard waste bin to be composted. I could have candied the orange peelings, but since I am diabetic, I thought it wise not to.

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Week 34

Plant Something: Some more lentil sprouts, pea sprouts
Harvest Something: Radish sprouts, lentil sprouts
Preserve something: Froze the “au jus” from the Coca Cola Roast I made on Friday for soup
Store something: A bag of lentils I bought, put in a mason jar to use later for sprouting
Manage Reserves: Figured I could turn the garage into a studio to make and sell junk art. Ordered broccolli seeds, mung beans and alfalfa seeds for sprouting
Cook Something New: A grilled cheese sandwich with Tomato and radish sprouts. Chicken soup with lentil beans and sprouts (See above in the food waste challenge)
Prep Something: Got my starter pots ready to go with soil
Reduce Waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair: Fix a pair of Channel Lock pliers, the holding bolt and nut was stripped out, replaced it! MORE IN THE Crunchy’s Food Waste Challenge above
Learn a New Skill: Nothing really
Work on Community Food Security: Shared this week on my blog how to make starter jars for sprouting

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Did good this week. Just groceries and I did buy some repair parts for plumbing in my bathroom

Crunchy’s Freeze Yer Balls off Challenge: Still at 55/65 here.

Sergeant Chile’s Operation Clean Out-Last report as Chile is shutting this one down- but I need to get the garage done, if it is to be a working studio. Figure if I go in there an hour each day it will be done soon

Weekly Challenge Update- Catsup and Birdbaths

My homeade birdbath

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge-Week 33
Plant Something: Just some lentil sprouts
Harvest Something: Some radish sprouts, some alfalfa sprouts
Preserve something: Just some frozen food
Store something: Just some food I put in the freezer
Manage Reserves: Did a quick check of the freezer, made a mental note of whats in there for later, did a quick check of the garage Frigidaire too
Cook Something New: Mung Bean Sprouts Slaw, Homemade catsup
Prep Something: Made some new sprouting lids to fit on mason jars
Reduce Waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair: This is a tricky one this week- My Microwave died, one of those over the stove models so I had to buy a new microwave and a vent hood- before taking the old micro to the appliance recycling at the local land fill, I stripped the power cord off of it to use on the vent hood and I took out the glass off the turntable and the turntable ring to reuse them as well maybe as a tray or a small table top or something or keep around as a replacement, and I reused all the ducting since it was the same as what I needed; Turned grandma’s roll-away tool box into a sofa table; Bought a lamp, a silver plated tray at thrift store and made a birdbath out of them
Learn a New Skill: Learned how to make catsup- very easy; learned how to make “bows” out of plastic shopping bags- a “skill” that may come in handy for the holidays next season or for gifts during the year
Work on Community Food Security: Got into sprouting again; showed a couple of people at work how I make my sprouting jars;

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Well it is all in how you conceive it- I bought 4 Pyrex ramekins, a Pyrex cake pan and a Pyrex loaf pan and a pyrex pie pan at the thrift store for $14 all while I was looking for a cheese grater and I found a metal tube turkey baster!. I finally ended up buying a new cheese grater at the local kitchen shop, so while new it was a local purchase from a local merchant- and was still $2 cheaper than the ones at the grocery stores; My Microwave died, one of those over the stove models so I had to buy a new microwave and a vent hood- before taking the old micro to the appliance recycling center at the local land fill, I stripped the power cord off of it to use on the vent hood and I took out the glass off the turntable and the turntable ring to reuse them as well maybe as a tray or a small table top or something or keep around as a replacement, and I reused all the ducting since it was the same as what I needed, I bought some screws from the hardware to put up my vent hood; But I reused the power cord, and the ducting from the old, saving $$$ and crap from going into the waste stream; Bought some Dog Stew for Romeo at the Natural Pet Food Pantry; Bought a lamp, a silver plated tray at thrift store and made a birdbath out of them

Crunchy’s Freeze Yer Balls off Challenge:Same – 65 when here and awake- 55 when gone or asleep

Sergeant Chile’s Operation Clean Out-Working on straightening up my Craft and Hack supplies into Grandma’s tool boxes

Crunchy’s Food Waste Challenge: first night- made leek soup-found some leeks that definitely seen younger days. Came up with a recipe for Mung bean sprout slaw, before my Mung bean sprouts went bad; Cleaned out Frigidaire to be in compliance with the challenge

Weekly Challenge Update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Week 32
Plant Something: Some Chives, Rosemary, Basil and Oregano inside for the windowsill in kitchen; Started some radish sprouts; started some scallions bulbs
Harvest Something:Nothing
Preserve something: Cooked and froze some rice (made too much)
Store something: Nothing
Manage Reserves: Bought some seed potatoes that I stored in the garage
Cook Something New: Chicken Marsala using leftover guinea hen from last week


Chicken Marsala using left over chicken
4 cups of roasted cubed chicken
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon basil, dried
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 to 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced (1/2 to 1 cup sliced)
1/2 cup Marsala wine
Preparation:Combine flour, salt, pepper, and basil; mix well. Heat oil and butter in a heavy non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Dredge chicken in seasoned flour mixture. Cook chicken until lightly browned on first side (about 2 to 3 minutes). Turn chicken and add mushrooms around the chicken pieces. Cook about 2 minutes longer, until lightly browned; stir the mushrooms. Add Marsala wine to pan. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 10 minutes. Serve with hot cooked pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice.
*Edit- I use cooked guinea hen- I just stripped the chicken of the carcass and followed the directions, yes even dredging. Come out just fine

Prep Something: Made some “earthtainers” found a new easier way to make them- thanks to book “Fresh Food From Small Spaces" by R.J. Rupenthal that I won in Crunchy Chickens blog
Reduce Waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair: Reused some old flower pots to plant the chives, Rosemary, Basil and oregano in. I Took Old microwave that burned out to the appliance dump at the local garbage dump; took cardboard boxes that new microwave and range hood came in to the recycle center at the dump. Got my grandma’s old work toolboxes from my uncle- Using the roll-away as a sofa table, the small upper tool box for putting store all my scissors in, paint tubes, small tools in.
Learn a New Skill: None
Work on Community Food Security: Nope

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE:Not to good this week- Had to buy a new microwave and a hood vent fan to replace the Microwave/Hood Vent that had electrical challenges; Hate having to buy and replace appliances. I replaced it with a regular microwave and a separate hood vent. Took the old one to the appliance dump at the landfill.

Crunchy’s Freeze Yer Balls off Challenge: Going good at 55/65. I am over my cold from hell so no need to warm up the house to 70 when I am home.

Sergeant Chile’s Operation Clean Out-Put art/craft supplies in my grandma’s old work toolboxes I got from my uncle. Using the rollaway as a sofa table, the upper tool box in the spare room were I do most of my work!

Crunchy’s Food Waste Challenge: New Challenge- did pretty good- leftovers all week, the only food waste was some orange peels and banana peels in the food waste bin. Put some bread in the worm bin. Froze some rice (cooked too much) to use later in week.

Weekly Challenge update

I had the mother of all colds this week, made it a little difficult to get anything done, let alone work out in the garden, I am better now, but still have a bad cough

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Week 31
Plant Something: Nope
Harvest Something: The last of my carrots that wintered over, Swiss chard
Preserve something: Nothing
Store something: Some rice that I put into jars and vacuumed sealed
Manage Reserves: Repaired the hose on the water barrel again! Got down the Christmas lights (it’s not even Easter yet!) Put them away, got some storage bins to make earthtainers!
Cook Something New: Southern Style Polenta, commonly known as Grits; Put some Guinea hens in the rotisserie (I Never cooked Guinea hens in the rotisserie before)
Prep Something: Made some starter pots out of toilet paper tubes
Reduce Waste- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair: Cleaned out the bead were the carrots and chard where planted, composted the carrot tops. Used some toilet paper tubes for starter pots. Took some used storage bins from Mom’s to make earthtainers, Souped up a rolling tea cart for mom to put her “garden” on so she can wheel it into the sunlight
Learn a New Skill: How to prepare Grits
Work on Community Food Security: Nothing, sorry to say- Wait a minute got the seeds sent out that folks won in my Giveaways this week (Except for Vioboy whom as not sent his address yet)

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Did pretty well for this week- Only Groceries and a few pieces of hardware that was needed. Did buy two Storage Bins to make earthtainers out of

Crunchy’s Freeze Yer Balls off Challenge: Everything is at 65 when at home, 55 when in bed or gone

Sergeant Chile’s Operation Clean Out-Not so much here- did get the Christmas lights off the house and put away, Cleaned out the pantry (again) before the new dog comes home

Weekly Challenge Update

Cocoa Nut Bananas

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Week 30

Plant something: Nuthing
Harvest something- Nope
Manage something: Cleaned out freezer

Cook Something New: Made some “Cocoa-Nut” Bananas”
“Cocoa-Nut” Bananas. Cocoa and coconut-crusted bananas are a treat for the whole family.

RECIPE INGREDIENTS

4 teaspoons cocoa powder

4 teaspoons toasted unsweetened coconut

2 small bananas, sliced on the bias

DIRECTIONS Place cocoa and coconut on separate plates. Roll each banana slice in the cocoa, shake off the excess, then dip in the coconut.

Work on Local Food Systems: nope
Re-Cycle, Re-Use, Re-Duce, Repair or Compost something: Just the usual- made some Bel cloche out of juisce bottles, saved the tamper rings from the bottles to make mini wreaths;
Learn a skill: Learned how to make mini wreaths to decorate the tree and packages next christmas!

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Didn’t buy too much that wasn’t groceries this week. Bought a new pair of shoes, because the pair I had fell apart- well I will probably reuse them as planters, bought a container of “white out”- it does save on paper when I make mistakes.

Crunchy’s Freeze Yer Balls off Challenge: I must admit to turning the heat up at night- I have a horrendous cold and get the chills!
Sergeant Chile’s Operation Clean Out- Sorted out my seed box, and did a giveaway for some extra packets of seeds that I had. Trying to finish putting away Christmas crap. I need to take the lights down off the house- but it has been raining cats and dogs- I know because today I stepped in a poodle.

Weekly Challenge Update

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Bought some buttons and some embroidery thread to repair my work Jacket. Went to new hardware store in Burien- didn’t buy anything but had a great time browsing the aisles of plumbing parts, screws, and hardware. Went to local shops in Olde Burien and bought a “snotty” egg separator, a cutting board, some habanero jelly and some peach salsa, which as it turns out was made in Kent, a town about 10 miles away. Bought a Nintendo DS game, don’t know of a local source for them so I bought at Fry’s.

Crunchy’s Freeze Yer Balls off Challenge: Back to normal. Back to letting the programmable thermostat take care of the heat. Had another snow storm last night and lost power. Was surprised that only the bathroom light was on! (Roomate went to bathroom- imagine his surprise when he turned the switch on and no ‘lectricity!

Sergeant Chile’s Operation Clean Out- Got my Christmas Tree stuff down from 4 roughneck bins to 3. Just put some old C7 christmas lights on free-cycle to give away!

Weekly Challenge Update

Spike napping

Tough couple of weeks for me on the homefront; first all the snow, and my little pug, Spike had to be put down. Still I muddled through and finished a few things!

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Week 28

Plant something: Nope- just drolled through my seed catalogs- one of the Christmas gifts I received was a gift certificate for Raintree Nursery to purchase my Columnade apple trees!Harvest something: Snow. Yes- snow (see Cooked something new)

Manage something: Got my “outdoor” refrigerator made this week- it is a cabinet at I bought months ago at Boeing Surplus- to put veggies and fruits in.

Cook Something New: Snow Ice cream- I saw a comment Chile posted on Crunchy’s blog and had to try it- pretty good; Cheese fondue- an excellent way to use up the bits of cheese I get from the uneaten cheese form cheese platters I take to parties and such

Snow Ice Cream (Recipe from Chile in a comment post on Crunchy's blog)-

Clean snow for us was usually the freshest (top) snowfall on top of bushes and walls.

(Some sites recommend putting a big bowl outside while it's snowing to catch the snow but we didn't do that.)

So, bring in a big bowl of clean snow.

Add sugar - maybe about a cup for a gallon of snow, and some vanilla extract.

Start stirring in milk, slowly so you don't make it too liquid, until it's just the right consistency for "ice cream".

(rob's note- works well with splenda and/or Aguave Nector for the Diabetics)

Cheese Fondue:

1 clove garlic, halved

3/4 c. beer

2 c. (8 oz.) shredded Swiss cheese

1 c. (4 oz.) shredded sharp cheddar cheese(Note- I added a few slices of pepper jack cheese froma cheese platter I brought home from a party)

1 tbsp. flour

Dash hot sauce
Rub inside of sauce pan with garlic. Add beer, heat slowly. Coat cheese with flour and add to beer. Stir constantly until cheese is melted. Stir in hot sauce. Take pan from stove and transfer to a fondue pan. Dip cubed French bread or bagels in fondue.

Work on Local Food Systems: Not really local, but split a case of Clementine oranges with my mom- that way the case doesn’t go bad on us. Usually does. We figured that would solve the problem.

Re-Cycle, Re-Use, Re-Duce, Repair or Compost something: Put the Christmas boughs in the yard waste bin, used paper clips for ornament hangers; kept all the Christmas cards and made gift tags from them for next year; Reused a candy jar that my cousin gave me a couple of years ago- filled with Cocoa mix for my other cousin along with two mugs I bought last year and never gave out. Took a case of canned dog food (as I know I don't currently have a use for it) and gave it to the Humane Society Pet food drive, as I know there is a big need right now.

Learn a skill: Nothing- Unless you count making fondue a skill. Never made ate a lot of times- in the 70's

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Didn’t shop for anything except groceries this week. Bought some side pork for Christmas Dinner from the butchers. Side pork is like bacon and actually come from the belly of the pig.

Beansprout's Make a Christmas Gift Challenge Last post on this one- Gave out the clock I made mom from one of her Pig Cutting boards, haven’t given her the headboard yet due to inclement weather(needed to deliver in the truck- wont fit in my little car) but I know she will love it. And I gave out the jerky and the cocoa cones and a couple of bottles of homemade brandy. Great Christmas this year- most of everything I gave was made by my own two hands!

Crunchy’s Freeze Yer Balls off Challenge: I must admit when the night spike collapsed (Christmas evening) to turning the thermostat up to 70 to keep him warm in the living room. Otherwise my ass is frozen.
Sergeant Chile’s Operation Clean Out- started putting Christmas crap away into the roughneck bins and putting back in the rafters of the garage.

WEEKLY CHALLENGE UPDATE: Counting down to Christmas

Now we shall see if the pop bottle bell cloches work

After good weather all fall and winter we got hit with a couple of inches of the white stuff. Here are some of the Bel Cloches and the brussel sprout and kale starts out in my squash box freezing! And my poor MG is sitting outside in the cold as well!

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My little MG out in the cold

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Week 26

Plant something: Didn’t plant anything, but brought in one of my kale plants to protect it from the cold and put it on the windowsill.
Harvest something: nothing to harvest- except snow
Manage something: Bought 6 packages (about 18 rings) of potato sausage and put in the freezer

Cook Something New: Did cook some grits- never cooked before, ate them plenty of times. Also, cooked plenty of things that I have made before - mostly Christmas type items.
Work on Local Food Systems: Went to moms and made krumkake- I count this because she supplied the ingredients and I baked them on my krum kake iron- then we split them. Bought 6 packages of potato sausage from my butcher.
Re-Cycle, Re-Use, Re-Duce, Repair or Compost something: Re-used 5 quart mason jars to put some homemade beef jerky in. Put some Christmas greens in the compost.
Learn a skill: took a lesson in “Earth Friendly Holiday” wrapping.

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Didn’t do great this week, but didn’t do too bad either. I bought some potato sausage at the butchers. Bought some buttons to mend my work jacket. Did buy some things for gifts, but mostly gift cards so not too bad.

Beansprout's Make a Christmas Gift Challenge Filled 5 jars full of Homemade Beef Jerky that will become Christmas presents. Made batches of Sugar Free Peanut Brittle that I will give some to my Uncle whom is also diabetic, and my mom

Crunchy’s Freeze Yer Balls off Challenge: I love, LOVE, LOVE my programmable thermostat I added. It is so nice to not have to remember to lower the temp when I go to bed, even nicer that the heat is on when I wake up!

Sergeant Chile’s Operation Clean Out- Tried to start putting back the Christmas decorations I didn’t use, tried to start cleaning for Christmas

Weekly Challenge Update-

Door Bough
Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Week 25

Plant something: Planted some new chives

Harvest something: No but used some garlic scapes

Manage something: Made up a container of Cocoa Mix and one of Russian Tea, (not for gifts)

Cook Something New: OK, Here goes-

KINDER TO THE PIG- BLT

4 strips of Morningstar Veggie bacon strips

3 slices of tomatoLettuce

About 1 tbsp of mayo2 slices of bread

Prepare veggie bacon per directions-Spread mayo on bread- then layer the lettuce, tomato and cooked veggiebacon.For a little zip and tang, add some Chipolte or Hot Sauce.

I also made Rachel Ray’s “Love Birds” –Chicken in Puff Pastry with Fig- I couldn’t find fig preserves so I used dried figs cut up instead

Love Birds

And I made Sugar Free Peanut Brittle


Work on Local Food Systems: Just buying local apples at the green grocer, about it

Re-Cycle, Re-Use, Re-Duce, Repair or Compost something: Got some Fir tree Boughs for free when my mom’s apartment complex cut down a bunch of trees and made Door Boughs out of them for my mom and myself; Of course threw what I didn’t use in the compost pile; recycled some printer ink cartridges and two cell phones- sent them in to PetsMart’s Charities. I got a mailer at the local petsmart and sent them in- Not only recycling but helping out homeless pets as well! TWOFER!

Learn a skill: Learned how to Clarify butter and how to make (distill) Rose Water

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Didn’t buy these- I made the Made some Pine Door Boughs for decorating my mom's and my doors. They cut down trees at her apartment complex, I pick the small pieces of Fir tree boughs, and voila- Instant Christmas Cheer! Of course the boughs will be composted after Christmas. Didn’t buy much of anything this week except groceries.

Beansprout's Make a Christmas Gift Challenge: Made pine door boughs from materials I “gleaned”; Finished head board

Crunchy’s Freeze Yer Balls off Challenge: Yes Crunchy my balls are officially frozen. The new programmable thermostat works great! Nice waking up to a not so cold house!

Sergeant Chile’s Operation Clean Out- Worked in garage all day Sunday- well took some time to put up Christmas tree

Weekly Challenge Update

Hot Cocoa Cone

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Week 24

Plant something: Nope

Harvest something: Some carrots, some chives (I grow them on the windowsill)

Manage something: Managed to keep my nerves calm during Thanksgiving, Got a load of “canned heat” to stock up for winter; Installed programmable thermostat in Living and Dining room, Made a heap of Crunchy’s Cream cheese; Dried (dehydrated) chives and spring onions leftover from thanksgiving

Cook Something New: Came up with a recipe for Pumpkin Cre′me Broulee′, Made a sausage “McMuffin” using Morningstar Veggie "Sausage" Patties

Work on Local Food Systems: Went to Local Veggie and Fruit Monger this week, Bought Cheese from Beechers, a local cheese maker in the Pike Place Market

Re-Cycle, Re-Use, Re-Duce, Repair or Compost something: Got empty wine bottles from my Cousin Candi’s Thanksgiving dinner that I am going to save to make my bed border; reused some old Christmas stockings for "Cocoa in a jar" lids for gifts; made up some "Hot Cocoa Cones" for gifts for cousins' kids and some others

Learn a skill: Nope

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Didn't do bad at all here. Bought the food for thanksgiving locally; bought some craft supplies to make christmas presents- cocoa cones and cocoa in a jar, Bought a can of Silver Chrome spray paint to paint some Command hooks silver rather than pay $8 each for Metal command hooks (I already had the plastic ones)

Beansprout's Make a Christmas Gift Challenge: Had a simple week- Made up some "Hot Cocoa cones" and "cocoa in a jar" for cousins' kids

Crunchy’s Freeze Yer Balls off Challenge: Installed the programmable thermostat in the dining room/kitchen- I am now programmable in the main living areas of the house and set at 55/65.

Sergeant Chile’s Operation Clean Out- Didn't do much here. Was tired from Thanksgiving.

Weekly Challenge Update

My Matsu Apple tree


Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Week 23
Plant something: Planted the Matsu (or Crispin) Apple Tree in the backyard. Wasn’t planning on a regular apple tree, as I plan to plant a Columnar orchid


Prep something: Made stock for soup and froze


Harvest something: A few peas, carrots


Manage something: Chile made me clean out and organize my spice cabinet – well she didn’t make me- she “inspired me”


Cook Something New: Made some cheese dips using Crunchy’s Cream Cheese as the base- They turned out great!

Shrimp Dip
1 cup of Cream Cheese
about ½ lb of salad shrimp about 1 cup
Seafood Sauce- about ½ cup
Stir all ingredients well, chill. Serve with Crackers or melba toast

Onion and Chive dip
1 cup of Cream Cheese
½ cup of chopped chives
One bunch of green onion tops
Mix all together. Re-Chill in Frigidaire. Serve with Crackers or melba toast

Melba Toast
SERVES 4 -8 (change servings and units)
Ingredients- 8 slices white bread (I suggest Italian Bread or Brioche) Or you can use a Baggette slice the bagette thinly and toast untoasted sides uppermost, until golden and the edges curl.

Preheat the broiler to high and toast the bread lightly on both sides.

Cut off the crusts and then, holding the toast flat, slide a sharp knife between the toasted edges to split the bread so that you now have 8 slices that are toasted only on one side.

Cut each piece into 4 triangles, and then toast under the broiler, untoasted sides uppermost, until golden and the edges curl.

Alternatively, make Melba toast earlier in the day, and warm for a short time in the oven at 325ºF
Work on Local Food Systems: Went all over looking for local foods for Thanksgiving, found local cheeses and dairy, got local beef roast


Re-Cycle, Re-Use, Re-Duce, Repair or Compost something: Made some more Bel Cloches out of 1 and 2 liter pop bottles; Put garden waste in composter


Learn a skill: Nope


MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: A much better week. Bought cheese from Beechers, a local cheese shop and veggies from Duane’s Garden spot. And The roast beast from B&E Meats here in Burien. All of my holiday food falls in the 100 mile diet. And it is tasty. And I made my cream cheese following Crunchy’s Cream Cheese recipe. Didn’t buy any Christmas presents this week. Or hardware, but I did receive the Programmable thermostat, which I need to install tonight

Beansprout's Make a Christmas Gift Challenge: Coming along on this one. Doing the finishing touches on the gift tag ornaments, made some progress re-upholstering the head board.

Crunchy’s Freeze Yer Balls off Challenge: Still at 55/65. Got my new programmable thermostat for the Dining room/Kitchen and plan on installing it tonight, since I am cooking stock on the stove and baking pumpkin bread.

Sergeant Chile’s Operation Clean Out- Chile inspired me to clean out and organize the spice cabinet. I did that and spent about an hour in the garage, trying to clean that out as well.

Weekly Challenge Update

Kinda of a blah week as you can tell!
Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Week 22

Plant something: Nope
Prep something: Nope
Harvest something: A few peas that’s it
Manage something: Got the Christmas junk down in the garage; put away Halloween stuff
Cook Something New: Didn’t cook at all this week
Work on Local Food Systems: Nope
Re-Cycle, Re-Use, Re-Duce, Repair or Compost something: Well the one place I did something, I put pizza boxes and such in the yard waste bin, read about making a decorative fence out of wine bottles- You bury them upside down! I saw it at Debbie's Artful Inspirations blog- Sounds cool so I am thinking about it. Re-Used some glass bottles for water storage.
Learn a skill: Went and took the fourth class in the WSU Extension program- How to make a Raingarden- have been deciding if I should attempt this or not- About the only place it would make any sense is the front yard- maybe one around the garage area!

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Boy was I ever bad at this during the week: I bought a new pair of jeans (When I see my size and inseam and on sale for $8 I usually jump on it) Bought some Christmas presents this week as well- None of them used or pre-owned. But I am pretty much done Christmas shopping. Am getting over the If I buy one for someone else I should buy one for myself!

Beansprout's Make a Christmas Gift Challenge: As I said last Sunday, I decided not to make mom a Murphy bed- But I did buy her an air bed that makes its own box spring- has it’s own air pump, and is small enough to fit in one her dresser drawers with all the linens – just as good as making a big Murphy bed. Get about halfway done on her head board, need to get started on her clock- got the clock works for it now so need to get busy!

Crunchy’s Freeze Yer Balls off Challenge: Still at 65 when awake or here, 55 when gone or asleep. Still waiting on new programmable thermostat- suppose to be here on Tuesday!

Sergeant Chile’s Operation Clean Out- Didn’t accomplish much here either- except got the Christmas stuff down in the garage and the Halloween stuff back up.

Weekly Challenge Update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Week 21
Plant something: Did buy a Matsu Apple Tree at Lowes that went on close out for $5
Prep something: Put up the Roasted Pumpkin Seeds into mason jars, made some peanut butter and made Leek and potato soup for this week and froze the soup to warm it up
Harvest something- Some lettuce, some beans, some peas
Manage something: Made some Bell Cloches out of plastic pop bottles, hoping they kick start the kale plants; Ordered another programmable thermostat for the Dining room/ Kitchen
Cook Something New: Made some of Crunchy’s Cream Cheese Was still doing it's thing in the fridge- can't wait to taste it! UPDATE 11/09 Ate some of the cream cheese this morning on a bagel- Crunchy you are a geniuos!!!
Work on Local Food Systems: Just shopping at green grocers
Re-Cycle, Re-Use, Re-Duce, Repair or Compost something: Made bell Cloche’s out of 2 liter pop bottles, threw dead sunflower stalks into yard waste bin
Learn a skill: Learned that Pioneer Week should be done with out me!

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Went dumpster diving and found two plastic Jack O’ Lanterns- going to use them for decoration next Halloween- ordered two programmable thermostats suitable for baseboard heaters (I have fan forced wall heaters- they use the same thermostats) One for my house and one for a gift. Bought some items to make Rudolph ornament gift tags with; Did buy a Matsu Apple Tree at Lowes that went on close out for $5

Beansprout's Make a Christmas Gift Challenge: Getting busy on the headboard for mom. Decided not to make her a Murphy bed- She doesn’t have the room for it. So I guess it is take the roll-away over there when she needs a spare bed for guests. Started making ornaments to use as gift tags!

Crunchy’s Freeze Yer Balls off Challenge: Got the thermostats set at 65 when we are there and awake, 55 when we are asleep or gone. Ordered two more programmable thermostats, One for the dining room/kitchen and one for a gift.

Sergeant Chile’s Operation Clean Out- Private Rob is reporting for duty Ma'am Yes Ma'am! Starting again in the garage- seems the enemy took over the garage and I must liberate it!

Crunchy’s Pioneer Week Update: Not so “pioneery” to end the week- Went to work on Saturday and bought Chinese food, And forgot about being a pioneer last night and got busy watching TV (You know I love The Nanny!) Fell asleep on the couch woke up burning to death- here was Topaz (aka “Stu”) the 75 pound Chocolate Lab sleeping on my legs. And Sammy Cat sleeping on my chest! Nothing like a big old stupid dog and a wily little kitty to warm you up! Certainly makes me appreciate the concept of a three dog night!
Links

OPERATION CLEAN OUT

No it is not the name Obama is using for his transition into Bush's white house- it is the name of Chile's new De-clutter challenge. Just in time- my garage needs help!

Weekly Challenges Update

Sharon's Independence days challenge:

1. Prepped something: prepped new bedding for worm bin
2. Planted something- Planted Broccoli, string beans, beets, for fall crop, and replanted radishes
3. Preserved something: Froze some blackberries, Blackberry jam, Started some Blackberry brandy, started some apricot brandy

4. Harvested something: Picked Blackberries on my work lunchtimes, Radishes, Swiss Chard, Some borage!
5. Managed your reserves: Put up fancy wood holders in garage rafters to store and manage lumber left from remodel project. Cleans up the yard, makes more room in garage for storage
6. Cooked something new: Tried Chile’s fried rice (but I put chicken in it),
7. Work on Local Food Systems: Picked the blackberries at work, Signed up for a food preservation class at the community center,

8. Composted, repaired, re-used, reduced or recycled something: Repaired broken couch, prepped new bedding for worm bin, changed worm bedding, got the worm castings out and fed plants; put old printer on freecycle; put up a giveaway on my blog to give away low flow shower head, shower timer, and low flow faucet aerators.

9. Learn a skill: Can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
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FINAL POST FOR CHILE’S ADDICTIONS IN A PEAK OIL WORLD- August is finally over and I can say No Diet soda this month at all. I have drank a lot of Ice tea, Coffee and sparkling water- but no sodas at all this month. Good luck to those who are carrying on this challenge! It will be mind opening.
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CRUNCHY DOMESTIC GODDESS’ 5 MINUTE SHOWER CHALLENGE- Still at 5 minutes. NEW NEWS!- my local water district, which is part of the Seattle Saving Water Partnership, which sent a neat coupon book in the mail, is giving to their customers a low flow shower head, a CFL light bulb, and a shower timer. Very cool! And I am putting up the shower head, timer and aerators as a giveaway!

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CRUNCHY CHICKENS' SWEATY BUTT-CRACK CHALLENGE No A/C at all this week. haven't needed it as it has been nice and cool all week.
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MELINDA'S GROWING CHALLENGE- I decided to plant some broccoli seeds in addition to the borage I already planted. Yes I must admit to never growing broccoli before! The borage is getting bigger- I thinned it, and not being a guy who can leave the thinnings alone, ate them and yes- the leaves do taste like cucumber!

CHALLENGE UPDATE

Here is how I did on the current challenges I am involved in:

SHARON'S INDEPENDENCE DAYS:
Preserved:Dehydrated walla walla sweet onions, dehydrated summer squashfor soups. Made beef Jerky!

Storing: Stored the onions and squash for later. Ate most of the beefjerky!

Prepped:Dehydrated walla walla sweet onions, dehydrated summer squashfor soups. Learned that the dehydrater wants thinly slicedveggies, so got out the mandolin slicer. Worked like a charm!

Harvested something:Harvested some pansy petals to put in a salad! Ijust figured out that edibleflowers should count too

Managed:Cleaned out pantry

Cook Something New:Cooked for the first time, morning star farms soybacon-found out that if you cook it on a plate in the microwafe, use some wax or parchment paper underneath it as it sticks to the plate- of course works out if you want crumbly bacon bits to put on a salad!

Work on Local Food Systems: Found a local bakery

Compost something: did the chickster's pee party and pissed on mycompost pile, put some old bread in my worm bin- nothing is too goodfor my babies!

Learned a skill: Learned how to Dehydrate veggies and fruits! Learnedhow to make Beef Jerky! Oboy oberto! or rather Oh Boy Roberto-98168!

CHILE'S PEAK OIL WORLD CHALLENGE: No restaurants or take out this week! No bratwurst at the farmers market! And I made pizza... the Danish Bakery sells pizza dough so I just formed it out,and then added turkey pepperoni, cheese, and sauce and baked!

THE CHICKADEE'S GOLDEN SHOWERS GARDEN PARTY- Filled my watering can 3times with the 10% solution and fertilized my tomatos, peppers, pansies,huckleberrys and my herbs. Went up to the compost pile and gave it afull strength treatment. Peeing outdoors is so wonderful. My dogs did look at me strangely though (Jealousy)

CHRUNCHY DOMESTIC GODDESS' The Five-Minute Shower Challenge :Still five minutes- combined with the Chickster's peepee challenge- very little flushing going on here!

CHALLENGE CHECK IN

Getting ready for crunchy's golden shower garden party

Chile's Peak Oil Addiction Challenge- No restaurants or take out-I was doing Pretty good...even went to the farmers market and didn't have my usual wurst then came Saturday... We ordered a pizza as I spent all day painting trim, doing yard work. But I am back on the horse this week. Just that falling off horses sucks.

Domestic Crunchy Goddess' 5 minute Shower Challenge- Very good- still under 5 minutes every day. Started catching the warm up water in a bucket every shower- saves 2 1/2 gallons everytime for plant watering or flushing my toilet!

and now for something new, I joined

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge: here is the challenge- (I decided to try at least one thing per week) :
Planting- plant something everyweek
Preserving- something different every week
Storing- storing a different supply every week
Prepping- preparing something new every week
Managing- managing (organising) something every week
Cook something new- cook something new every week
Work on local food systems
Compost something
Learn a new skill
The idea is to help educate ourselves toward more self suffiency-
here is how I did this week-
PLANTING- planted the huckleberrie bushes I bought at the famers market
Preserving: Got out the dehydrator I got as a gift years ago, cleaned it up
Storing:See preserving
Learn a new skill: Am going to learn to dehydrate fruits and veggies
Cook comething new: Cooked Game hens following the directions (a new concept in my kitchen!). These would be good to buy and freeze. Can get them relatively cheaply at grocery outlet.
Compost something- added stuff to both my worm bin and my compost bin
Work on local food system- Unavailable at this time
I am surprised how much I did this week!

Stuff Coming Up:
GREEN BEAN DREAMS STILL A BOOKWORM CHALLENGE: Just finished the "Green Book", plan to have my review later this week.

CRUNCHY'S GOLDEN SHOWERS GARDEN PARTY am saving my pee for Saturday and will fertilize everything, once in awhile I go up to the compost pile and pee there too. I should get my neighbors kid to help- I was painting the trim on the house, looked out the corner of my eye and there he was, not a care in the world peeing to his hearts content on his mom's flower bed! Later I spyed him in the back yard watering their lawn. Nice to see them start out so young

Addiction in a Peak Oil World And Still a Bookworm

Well the bloggirls are at it again- Chile's new challenge to get rid of our addictions in a Peak Oil World for the month of June. Mine is eating out at restaurants. Gonna be hard. But when you consider the gas it takes to get to the restaurant, the gas it takes to make the deliveries to the restaurant or the deliveries to home the gas I get at some of my favorite restaurant type places and that take out would have to be on this challenge) I have to use my lunch box everyday at work. LOL I forgot to pre-excuse the hot dog stand at the farmers market. I don't feel bad about that- I am there anyway, and it helps to support the association that puts on the market. All that and they make an outrageous brat wurst!


GREEN BEAN DREAMS' "I'm Still a Bookworm" Challenge
What can I say? I'm always up for a challenge. I will be reading "Living Like Ed- a guide to the eco-friendly life by Ed Begley Jr, and "The Green Book' The everyday guide to saving the planet one simple step at a time compiled by Elizabeth Rogers And Thomas M. Kostigen.


WORM BIN UPDATE
Speaking of worms, book and such, My worms seem to have taken to their new home. After two escape attempts! Of course I had to bribe them with fruit and veggies- apple cores, the ends of asparagus and some lettuce cores, But they seem happy. I am not sure how to tell if a worm is happy but they haven't committed suicide yet- or is that wormicide?!

Thoughts On Chicky and Chile's Challenges

I'm sitting here refelcting on the past month- mostly on Chicky Lady's Don't buy Nuthin' challenge- 3 days left to go. If I learned anything at all it is to stop, think "do I need this now (or ever), ask myself "can I get along without it?" Surprisignly the answer would mostly be no or not now. I can also see this helping out with Chile Womman's Cut the crap challenge too buy asking myself the same questions plus, "where the hell will I put this?"

These ladies have come along to help me green up my life, and for that I am grateful! I however will not do chicky's Diva Cup challenge since I am a guy and I don't have a menses cycle. Not that I am complaining! Since I am a guy, perhaps I could get a DEVO Cup! Anyway During this challenge time I gave up cigarettes, with the help of Chantix, Of course now i eat my weight in sunflower seeds. Which I promplty spit out the shells. On the sidewalks. They are biodgradeable. I call that revenge of the smoker! Especially at my employers as they are the ones outlawing cig's on their property!!!

Any hoooow, while I will never admit to feeling better about quitting smoking, I do feel better about saving the money.

I do love my money. And my non-taxable by the State of Washington Sunflower seeds!

really.