THE YEAR IN REVIEW PART II- The Challenges

Well time to review the Challenges, and how I did. Lets start out with The Independence Days Challenge. Ms. Sharon Astyk started this challenge in 2008. I am guessing here, but I think the idea is to teach us unsuspecting people to prepare themselves to be more self sufficient. Depend on themselves for food, storage, etc.
Well for me this is a challenge that keeps me honest! LOL, I undertook the challenge originally sometime back in 2008 just to see if I couod and to learn new things. Well almost two years and many muddy hands later, I can say that I do fairly well. Thanks to blogs like Chile’s, I have learned some new ways of preserving foods, both store bought and home grown. This challenge gives me the opportunity to try something and fail, or try something and Success. I have learned to make my own jerky, dry my own herbs, learned that jelly making is not that hard and even learned to make candied orange rinds (the diabetic version) as a result of this blog and this challenge. This is an all inclusive challenge that will change your life and work your butt.

THE GROWING CHALLENGE(Seed to Seed)
I joined Melinda’s growing challenge in 2008 as well. The original challenge was to grow something new (new to you) This year the challenge evolved into to saving your seeds for next years garden. As last year I have learned that I cannot grow broccolli, just don’t grow for me! But I also have learned I can grow watermelon, albeit they very small “grapefruit sized watermelon. This challenge gives me the courage to try and grow new things, even if I fail. At least I have lots of pumpkin and squash seeds for next year. Still cant grow a piece of broccolli.

Crunchy’s Freeze your balls off Challenge- AKA Freeze your Bun’s challenge is pretty simple for me- I have no problem lowering the thermostat (I have programmable thermostats) The only problem is, And this year is no execption, I always seem to get the cold or the fluduring the coldest time of year, and need it a tad warmer. But I work through that.

Crunchy’s Buy Hand Challenge: Not too difficult as I already make a great portion of what I give out for Christmas. It’s easier to give a dozen home baked cookies than a box oc chocolates. And tastier. Unless we’re talking Godiva Chocolates. But that’s another post.

Crunchy Domestic Goddess’ Ditch The Disposables Challenge- Shouldn’t be too hard for a devout eco-tree hugger. But this year I chose to wean myself off of plastic cutlery and tissues. Tissues were no problem as I made a big pile of snot rags made from old t-shirts… but that plastic cutlery sneaks up on you. A few fails a few successes.
Crunchy’s Buy Nothing Challenge- Y’all know how much of a consumer I am. LOL. But this is a difficult challenge for me… it is so easy to go to the hardware or other such store when you need a bolt or a part. I didn’t buy a freezer or a mattress (or even a topper during this challenge- which I still think Ms. Chicken comes up with to make me suffer.

Nothing New- The Weekly Challenge Update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Year two, week 31
1. Plant something: Nope
2. Harvest something: Potatoes, Carrots
3. Preserve something: Froze Thanksgiving leftovers to use later

4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something): Made a lit Christmas ornament out of a bottle and some LED Lights-
5. Preparation and Storage: Got the new light fixtures for the garage, started installing
6. Build Community Food Systems: Trying to talk Mom’s apartment manager into installing dome P-Patches
7. Eat the Food (cook or eat something new): Potatoes, Used thanksgiving leftovers- Used gravy for Biscuits and Gravy, Used Cranberry Cream Cheese dip as a filling for Stuffed French toast, Ate braised turkey, made some Crispy Fried duck ( A favorite Thai dish) out of leftover duckling
Melinda’s Growing Challenge: Did no growing this week or seed saving.

Meat Free Mondays: Ate the normal muffin at coffee, Mac and Cheese for lunch, Soup and salad for dinner. Fruit for dessert.

Ditch The Disposables - I should take more time off work! No sins this week! A lot easier when you don’t have to have your mug with you or you eat at restaurants real silver and cups


Buy Hand challenge: Taking a break this week from gift making, but I did buy Martin's present from a pawn shop!

Bean pots and clocks- The Weekly Challenge Update

Well let's see this week has been busy at work, tieing up loose ends and working the weekend so I can take all this thanksgiving off! I finished the clock for my Uncle, got a bean pot that was my paternal grandmother's, a butter belle-the one we had while I was growing up- great booty from Mom's closet! Repaired the small George Foreman grill I keep at work so I can have a hot lunch, And installed some LED Lights on the back porch with a switch - it is so dark back there but not anymore!





Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Year two, week 30
1. Plant something: Nothing
2. Harvest something: Acorn Squash

Preserve something- nope

4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something) -Repaired my George Forman Grill at work, Obtained my Grandma's Bean Pot- older than me and still making beans
5. Preparation and Storage: Installed LED lights and a switch on back porch;
6. Build Community Food Systems: Got some local Parmesan cheese from Eat Local store; found out he is also the drop off for two CSA’s!
7. Eat the Food (cook or eat something new): Acorn Squash, Pumpkin Soup from pumpkin that I pureed and froze; potatoes


Melinda’s Growing Challenge: Not much to report on. Got a Bhut Jolokia pepper in the mail from Red Icculus's Blog- plan on saving seeds and growing

Meat Free Mondays: Had a muffin and coffee for breakfast, mac and cheese for lunch and some vegetable soup and a baked potato for dinner

Ditch The Disposables - Big FAIL this week went to a potluck at work- didn’t bring my utensils so had to use plastic cutlery, although I used the same fork for the meal AND dessert

Buy Hand challenge: My Uncle’s clock for his garage (man- cave) is done

Bling Bling- the Weekly Challenge Update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Year two, week 29
1. Plant something: Transplanted Chard, Kale, Garlic, Lavender, Chives from community garden plot to my home garden
2. Harvest something: Cherry tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, potatoes, Cauliflower
3. Preserve something: made and froze dog and cat food
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something) - Used some scrap wood trying out the scroll saw; found an old section of picket fencing- will use to make a Holiday decoration, plus the usual recycling, composting
5. Preparation and Storage: Trying out Pellet stove pellets in place of Kitty's Feline Pine, about 1/4 of the cost of the feline pine litter- so far it is working out well. Bought new light fixtures for the garage- it is dark out there!
6. Build Community Food Systems: Working with Sustainable Burien on adding a Community garden at a low income apartment complex
7. Eat the Food (cook or eat something new): Roasted game hens in the slow cooker with Cauliflower, potatoes and onions that I grew!


Melinda’s Growing Challenge: Broke down my plot at the community garden; transplanted plants from there


Meat Free Mondays: Danish and coffee for breakfast, Cheese and bread for lunch; spaghetti squash and sauce for dinner, some little sugar free cookies for dessert, and some fruit


Ditch The Disposables - Couple of fails this week. I had to buy lunch from the wheel of death one night - Tuna Salad with crackers, it had a small plastic spoon built in. That and one coffee cup lid combo- although the coffee was not for me, but for a co-worker but still.


Buy Hand challenge: Working on earrings this week- 2 Christmas balls attached to earring posts, for my aunt and cousins. And of course for my Etsy shop!

Funky spaghetti: The Weekly Challenge Update

Spaghetti Squash w/Sauce

This week I prepared spaghetti, not using pasta, but instead used spaghetti squash for the noodles. Made enough for tonight and tomorrow

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Year two, week 28
1. Plant something: Sprouts
2. Harvest something: Sprouts, Cabbages, Kohl Rabi
3. Preserve something: Bought a couple of sugar pie pumpkins and processed, Made and froze dog/cat food- slowly becoming a weekly ritual- found it doesn’t take much longer then going and buying their food and the food processor is wonderful for doing this
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something) -The usual recycling, food waste in the compost; GARBAGE FINDS: Found a 5 gallon bucket next to a garbage can, will use for a planter, a box for taking my started garlic plants and chard home in;
5. Preparation and Storage: Setting up an Etsy shop, Bought a scroll saw to make gifts and clocks out of wood scraps (set it up in the garage or as the artsy folks call it "my Studio"!)
6. Build Community Food Systems: Starting to take the last of the veggies from the community garden plot to prep of leaving the community garden
7. Eat the Food (cook or eat something new): Pumpkin soup, veggies in the dog food, Spaghetti squash with sauce


Melinda’s Growing Challenge: Time to start breaking down my plot in the community garden, I have some plants started in my plot will take them home


Meat Free Mondays: Muffin and coffee, for lunch I ate crackers and cheese, for dinner a veggie flatbread pizza


Ditch The Disposables - I forgot muggsly one day this week- reused the paper coffee cup - no lid, from the espresso shop all day. Other than that a good week


Buy Hand challenge: Painted Martins clock, getting ready to finish. Decided to give one of my Turkey fryer burners to a friend who is getting into home beer making and borrows mine to brew the beer- figure I have one that is not being used so why not?

Pumpkin Fest 2009- The Weekly Challenge Update

I have been busy this week processing and pureeing pumpkins, making soup and dog and cat food. Participating in the Day of the Dead festivities at the BIAS.
Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Year two, week 27
1. Plant something: Nothing
2. Harvest something: Sprouts
3. Preserve something: Processed the last of the pumpkins, Made and froze dog/cat food
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something) -Repaired my old favorite sweater; Recycled some Halloween decorations- used the cloth from an umbrella to make a cape for one of my skeletons, Participating in the BIAS Day of the Dead celebration, where the city parks has arranged for people to bring their pumpkins, to be lit and at the end composted!
5. Preparation and Storage: Still working on cleaning out (using up the food) the freezer in prep for a new freezer
6. Build Community Food Systems: Nothing this week. Participating in the BIAS Day of the Dead celebration, saying goodbye to the community garden
7. Eat the Food (cook or eat something new): Pumpkin soup, veggies in dog food,


Melinda’s Growing Challenge: Nothing new to report


Meat Free Mondays: Did not have a muffin for breakfast- had a bean burritto for lunch, cheese and crackers for dinner, fruit for dessert


Ditch The Disposables -No FAILS this week.


Buy Hand challenge: Nothing new got done for Christmas. Was a busy Halloween week.

Soap Stands and Homemade Dog Food- The Weekly Challenge Update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Year two, week 26
1. Plant something: Started some sprouts in my fancy new fangled sprouter
2. Harvest something: Carrots, Tomatoes, Kale, Chard, Acorn Squash, Summer squash, Onions, Beets
3. Preserve something: Froze the homemade dog food I made Romeo; Processing pumpkins, saving seeds for roasting and growing
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something) -Reused and brought out of retirement an old 1 cup coffee brewer instead of buying a new brewer at work;
5. Preparation and Storage: Made some homemade Dog Food for Romeo and froze it, Bought some Mason Jars at the thrift store; Working on cleaning out the freezer in the garage in prep for the new one; Cooked potato sausages, boiled the game hens to make dog/cat food, roasted turkey thigh!
6. Build Community Food Systems: Took 5 pounds of tomatoes that I was ripening from the community garden to the food bank
7. Eat the Food (cook or eat something new): Roasted Carrots, Beets and onions, Veggie Soup: Made some bean burritos with shredded Chard and onions on them,


Melinda’s Growing Challenge: Nothing new to report - except processing pumpkins and saving some of the seeds


Meat Free Mondays: At a muffin and coffee for Breakfast. Soup and salad for lunch. Bean burritos for dinner


Ditch The Disposables -This weeks DTD FAILS: I got some soup at work cafeteria, as I had a Gift chip from there, and used a plastic soup spoon. That and the Styrofoam bowl. But got right back up on the horse again. I forgot Muggsly when I went for a coffee- Couldn’t drink coffee there, so they made it in a paper cup, I didn’t put a lid on it and took the cup home for reuse (I use the cups in my vertical garden and for seed starting)


Buy Hand challenge: Made a Soap pedestal for my mom

Working Dogs and Cider Jelly- The weekly challenge update

Proud to be a "working dog"

Been a cold rainy week here in Burien. I gave up on my green house project- need to go back to the drawing board, on that one, Bought Romeo a Dog pack, and made some Apple Cider Jelly using Abbie’s Recipe Used the low sugar recipe. Snaps to Abbie for this recipe. Like having a fresh apple on my toast! Still processing pumpkins

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Year two, week 23

1. Plant something: Transplanted a honeysuckle vine in my yard that had out grown a pot at my mom’s
2. Harvest something: Tomatoes and onions for the food bank.
3. Preserve something: Apple Cider Jelly- thanks to Abbie for the recipe
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something): Made some poop bag holders out of prescription medicine bottles. Maybe sell them if I get a booth at next season’s Farmer’s Market.
5. Preparation and Storage: Bought Romeo a Dog Pack. He’s a working dog now! He can help carry some groceries and such.
6. Build Community Food Systems: Getting ready for to say goodbye to the community gardens at the BIAS by joining in on the Night of 1000 pumpkins/Day of the dead celebration on November 1st. Bought ½ gallon of Local Apple Cider at Eat Local store to make Cider Cinnamon Jelly
7. Eat the Food (cook or eat something new): Apple Cider Cinnamon Jelly, Roasted pumpkin seeds,

Melinda’s Growing Challenge: Nothing new to report


Meat Free Mondays: Breakfast muffin and coffee, Lunch- TVP Chik’n patty, mac and cheese, Lunch at work- Cheese and Rye Crackers, dinner Omelet


Ditch The Disposables -Still going strong. Nothing to report.


Buy Hand challenge: Finished the Popcorn movie bags. Getting started on the rest of my clocks.

Greenhouses and Christmas Gifts- the Weekly Challenge Update

Week was pretty busy- starting a greenhouse, my Idea of using a very large plastic bag for the roof went hopelessly awry, got an idea from a gardening book for another "greenhouse", and working on Christmas gifts (buy Hand challenge)

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Year two, week 23

1. Plant something: Started some basil, chives and parsley seeds indoors for a windowsill herb garden
2. Harvest something: Thai Peppers, Kohl Rabi, Corn Salad Greens, Mesclun Greens, Chard, and Lettuce;From the Community Garden: Basil, Tomatoes, beets; Swiss chard
3. Preserve something: Processed and froze pumpkins, Roasted and stored pumpkin seeds;
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something): Repaired my favorite winter Jacket for work- sewed new buttons, repaired tear in sleeves
5. Preparation and Storage: Found out my Big plastic bag for the greenhouse isn’t big enough, going to use 10 foot wide plastic sheeting- but will keep large bag for another winter gardening project already in my mind.
6. Build Community Food Systems: Did my volunteer day at the community garden; took harvested veggies to the food bank
7. Eat the Food (cook or eat something new): Pumpkin seeds, ate Swiss Chard, Corn Salad greens, Mesclun greens and Lettuce in a salad;

Melinda’s Growing Challenge: Saved some gourd seeds and saved some pumpkin seeds that I did not roast


Meat Free Mondays: Breakfast muffin and coffee, Lunch- TVP Chik’n patties, potato salad, orange, Lunch at work- Cheese and Rye Crackers, dinner Almond Butter and Banana stuffed pita French toast


Ditch The Disposables -Still going strong. Guy at work notice I used my fancy hankie made out of a T-shirt- told him they are the best snot rags! One problem I had this week- Even though not a part of my personal DTD challenge-I forgot my shopping bags at the Farmers Market- so used the plastic produce bags- one vendor was reusing old plastic shopping bags Since I was buying gourds and a few pumpkins, I told him the small sugar pumpkin would fit in with the gourds, saving a bag- all the bags will be reused or recycled. Another problem I had this week was I ate at a teriyaki place, while the food on my plate was an actual plate- they only offered plastic cutlery or chopsticks- not having brought my own I opted for chopsticks- while not plastic, they are made from bamboo, I took them home with me as chopsticks have 101 uses. Julia Child and I beat our omelets with them.

Charging Cradle for the buy hand challenge

Clock for the Buy Hand Challenge

Buy Hand challenge: Made a clock- actually, I changed the face of one for my friends at the coffee shop; making same for my uncle(did not buy a new clock for it- using one I already had), and one for martin(an alarm clock bought from the as-is at Ikea). Made charging cradles for I-phones and blackberries.

Poop Bags and Mouses- the Weekly Challenge Update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Year two, week 22

1. Plant something: nothing
2. Harvest something: Tomatoes, basil; From the Community Garden: Some basil, some tomatoes, wax peppers, Tomatoes, chard, basil, lettuce, chives; Corn
3. Preserve something: nothing
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something):
5. Preparation and Storage: Got started on my “greenhouse”- used a large plastic bag for the roof, 1X2’s for the frame for door; prepped the ground for it!
6. Build Community Food Systems: took latest donation from Community Garden to the Food Bank- now over 40 pounds of produce donated!
7. Eat the Food (cook or eat something new): Ate some of the Hungarian wax peppers I pickled

Melinda’s Growing Challenge: Got started on my “greenhouse”- using a large plastic bag for the roof, 1X2’s for the frame for door; prepped the ground for it! No seeds saved this week.


Meat Free Mondays: Had the obligatory muffin and coffee for breakfast; Grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup for lunch; TVP “Pulled Chicken” on some rice tortillas at work, and Almond Butter/ Banana stuffed French Toast when I got home


Ditch The Disposables - Still doing good- no plastic cutlery used this week, happily wiping my snotty nose in nice soft hankies made from old t-shirts


Buy Hand challenge: I bought Romeo a new poop bag holder and didn’t forget about Sammy Cat - he got a new homemade catnip mouse. Bought at the Oktoberfest and Handmade by Gourmet Pet treats.net- She sells home made cat and dog treats and toys, as well as Dog breed cookie cutters, manufactured and made locally, She sells at local craft shows and on the internet, and a portion of her sales go to the rescue, care, spay and neuter and placement of abandoned and feral animals in Fort Lewis, WA. Hooray! A TWO-FER! Also took advantage of those Halloween sales and got candy to add to the Movie Gift bags I am putting together. And don’t worry I am picking candies like Good and Plenty and Nerds that are packed in a little cardboard box, not plastic. Also thinking about visiting the Bulk Bin at the grocery (the only thing sold in bulk in these parts!) and buying candy in bulk; added candies to the Movie Bags;

Spoons, forks and Knives- Weekly Challenge Update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Year two, week 21

1. Plant something: Chard, lettuce, mesclun, kinnickkinnick ( a local ground cover that produces neat little berries)
2. Harvest something: Some lettuce, more tomatoes, pumpkins, spaghetti squash
3. Preserve something: Pureed and froze pumpkin
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something): Cut some old t-shirts for hankies;
5. Preparation and Storage: Made “camping cutlery”- simply drilled some holes through some cheap flatware bought at the thrift store and ran shower rings through them; bought a spare tank of propane for emergency cooking; bought a patio drip irrigation system to water the hanging garden (and just to play around with it)
6. Build Community Food Systems: Did my watering duty at the community garden
7. Eat the Food (cook or eat something new): Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, Roasted Spaghetti Squash Seeds,

Melinda’s Growing Challenge: Started building a greenhouse using a canopy frame I happen to have; No seeds saved this week


Meat Free Mondays: I had a “Morning Glory” Muffin and coffee from Burien Press, lunch- had macaroni and cheese, beets and cantaloupe; lunch at work - A “Naan” Pizza (pizza sauce and cheese on naan bread; Dinner- Almond Butter/Banana stuffed French toast.

Easy Cutlery to go!

Ditch The Disposables -Drilled some holes through some flatware and put them on shower rings so I can take my cutlery with me. Bought the flatware at Thrift store. Cut up some t-shirts to make hankies.

Buy Hand challenge: Making up Movie Baskets for my cousins and their kids- was going to buy gently used DVD's from Silver Platters a local Used DVD/CD store,but found I had 50 award points at work (Safety Award for not maiming myself too seriously for the past 6 months) so was able to order some Blockbuster gift certificates, that will allow them to rent what ever they want, then I will put them in a cardboard popcorn box, with some candy, a bag of organic of microwave popping corn , this is easier than trying to buy dvd's that will interest little kids- I don't think they would be too crazy for the ones that interest me. I know their parents wouldn't! Of course the bonus to this gift is getting my cousins' kids all hyper on candy!

Ditching the Disposables- The Weekly Challenge Update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Year two, week 20

1. Plant something: Planted the last of the Dutch Corn Salad plants I started; Planted Garlic; Planted Garlic in the community garden as well
2. Harvest something: Basil, Tomatoes, Spaghetti Squash, Pumpkins; Out of the community garden- Tomatoes, cucumber,
3. Preserve something: Pickled Hungarian wax peppers; Pureed and froze pumpkin
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something): Don’t know if it counts but I got a replacement for my beloved commuter mug through eBay. Used some old recycling bins as planters;
5. Preparation and Storage: Made a couple of planting beds for next season, converted some recycling bins into planters (when the city changed to different service the Garbage company said to keep your old bins, for free! Never had a use for them until I started thinking about it. Found some old Milk Crates to use to store crap; Figured out a plan to make a green house using the Canopy frame I have with no top, will make it moveable
6. Build Community Food Systems: Took this weeks donation of food from the community garden to the food bank- Tomatoes, cucumbers
7. Eat the Food (cook or eat something new)-Ate pickled cherry tomatoes and onions, Pickled Hungarian Wax Peppers; Started eating the food in the freezer- ate Game hens and corn (from last year)

Melinda’s Growing Challenge: Am planing on building a greenhouse using a canopy frame I happen to have; saved the seeds from pumpkins, spaghetti squash


Meat Free Mondays: I had a “Morning Glory” Muffin- (Raisin, Mango and Carrot) and coffee from Burien Press, lunch- had TVP “chicken”, beets; lunch at work - A flatbread pesto and tomato Pizza; Dinner pickled onions, pickled tomatoes and an omelet.




Ditch The Disposables- Yes Ms. Amy, or rather Crunchy Domestic Goddess to you and me is starting this one up again, For the love of me I don’t remember what I ditched last year; But Oh well this year I am going to concentrate on Plastic Cutlery and Drop the tissues for Hankies- I mayhave done one or both last year but need to try harder if I did as I am getting sloppy about both!

CRUNCHY DOMESTIC GODDESS’ DITCH THE DISPOSABLES CHALLENGE FINAL POST

CRUNCHY DOMESTIC GODDESS’ DITCH THE DISPOSABLES CHALLENGE Final post: Silly Me- I didn’t realize this challenge had ended. And here I was going through Pioneer Week like all was good with the world! Anyway, A quick summation about this challenge: I chose to not use disposable take out and coffee cups. The coffee cups was easy, the take out not so much! I did fairly well on the coffee, taking my trusty Stainless steel mug with me, until I forgot it at a picket site- And to whomever in my Union has it now, I hope your lips fall off! Anyway I have a back up stainless steel commuter mug that is not my favorite but does the job.
The take out- not as good. I learned that if I want to reduce the waste from take out, Then I just don’t order take out. But knowing that, I choose to make wiser choices. Pizza without the plastic thing in the middle, choosing food that is put into compostable containers over Styrofoam. Anyway great challenge- I had fun!

Weekly Challenge Update

Well the 57 day strike is over at Boeing- I will be returning to work on the 3rd- sigh I must admit I was enjoying practicing for retirement; I must say that challenges have taught me to live frugally, and more self sustaining. If you haven’t tried a challenge, I highly suggest you start! Also, beansprouts blog started a challenge which is right up my alley- A make your own Christmas gifts challenge!

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Week 20
Plant something: Kale plants that I bought

Prep something: 3 more pumpkins roasted, pureed and froze. Roasted pumpkin seeds!

Harvest something- A few beans and some lettuce; sunflower heads from the garden for bird food- strung them up with a stick or twig stuck in the head as a perch for birds- I use to do this as a kid
Manage something: Finish putting up the new siding on the north gable

Cook Something New: Cook some of Beth’s Cat food for my cat

Work on Local Food Systems: Not really, but I did buy three more sugar pumpkins for pie/soup/pumpkin bread from my local green grocer- He lowers the price on the day after halloween!

Re-Cycle, Re-Use, Re-Duce, Repair or Compost something: Saved some of the scrap cedar shingles to use in the rocket stove or my chiminea; took the rest for burn barrel on the picket line; cut down sunflowers as their growing season is over- saved the heads for birdfood and put the stalks in the composter

Learn a skill: Nothing much except learned how to recharge Nicad batteries to reduce waste batteries for flashlights, remotes, etc. Found out the NiCad batteries are rechargeable and not much more expensive than the alkaline- great for my digi-cam or as I call it My AA Battery eater! And learned I could make a solar recharger for them! Also learned That you can use the NiCad rechargeble batteries in your solar powered lights if your batteries in them went tits up

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Went to St. Vincent’s and bought 2 vegetable peelers, 2 stainless steel bowls with covers and a zester. I needed a new vegetable peeler, they were $6-$14 at the grocery- ridiculous! So I bought two slightly used ones that work fine for $.49 a piece! Since there was a tag sale at St. Vinnie's I got them for $.13 each! Bought two pumpkins from the green grocer that went on sale the day after Halloween! Roasted and pureed and froze them for pie! Roasted the seeds! I Bought four kale plants at Duane’s. Except for groceries, Bought nothing else.

JENNIFER'S STOP THE LEAKS CHALLENGE: Finished the gable project- 2 more to go on the house, two more on the garage. The holes are gone! Will do/finish the house first since the garage is not heated and is an “outbuilding”.

CRUNCHY DOMESTIC GODDESS’ DITCH THE DISPOSABLES CHALLENGE: Didn’t do too well this week- went to a local creperie that opened here in Burien- they put crepes in cardboard boxes which went into my yard waste container, and no bag but I could have eaten them there- but they use chinet paper plates and plastic forks/spoons so I thought it would be better to eat them at home- at least I knew containers would get composted! And bought two pizzas this week- we needed a quick meal one night- the containers also went into yard waste bin! No coffee to go without my stainless steel commuter cup this week though so that was good!

MELINDA'S GROWING CHALLENGE: Trying to figure out why my Kale etc. is not growing. Am going to try bell Cloche’s (I made some out of 2 liter pop bottles)
Any info anyone has on Kale would be appreciated!

Beansprout's Make a Christmas Gift Challenge: Ms. Melanie has a wonderful challenge for November- I make most of my Christmas gifts, so this should be neat and easy. She didn't have a button for the challenge, at least not one I saw so I made her one! I have laready started- I made fruit infused vodka for my relatives, and will make brownies in a jar, ornaments and I am making or rather reupholstering a head board for my mom for christmas, and a turning pig shaped cutting board into a clock for her as well.

Weekly Challenge Check In

Photo of Tomato Chutney
from Mad Tea Party Blog

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Week 19
Plant something: Nope
Prep something: Made and froze some more pumpkin puree- dehydrated some apple rings. Made some banana chips.
Harvest something: nothing more than a few beans
Manage something: Started putting garage in order
Cook Something New: Tried some Tomato Chutney ( I have of unfounded fear of anything with the name “chutney”) on Millet Bread spread with Cream Cheese to qoute Paris Hilton- “Loves it”- and found a Corn Chowder recipe that I doctored up-
Rob’s Corn Chowder Recipe
1/2 cup diced bacon or ½ cup diced soy bacon
Three garlic cloves- minced
4 medium potatoes, chopped
1/2 medium onion, chopped
2 cups chicken stock or broth
1 can cream-style corn, 2 (12 ounces each) cans or 1 pound, 4 ounce package frozen
1 can regular corn- or 1 package frozen corn
2 teaspoons salt
pepper to taste
2 cups half-and-half or light cream, scalded
Preparation:
Sauté bacon until browned and crisp; add chopped potatoes and onions and garlic. Add stock, corn, and seasonings; cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in half-and-half; heat through but do not boil. You can substitute regular frozen corn for the cream corn. Serves 4.

Work on Local Food Systems: bought some Honey Crisp apples and bananas from the green grocer
Re-Cycle, Re-Use, Re-Duce, Repair or Compost something: Sunflower stalks, raked up some leaves: put on compost bin, Gave the worms in worm bin a bad apple, Took a Pig Shaped cutting board my mom had (she collects these and routed it out to put a clock work in so she can hand it up with the other pigs in her kitchen, for Christmas, And I recovered an old headboard for her for Christmas as well. Fixed the lock on the back door.
Learn a skill: Nope

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: The only thing I bought this week (besides groceries) was some more brads to finish the siding project. And my shopping was done local at my neighborhood “green grocer” Duane’s Garden Patch, and I learned that my favorite bread, available at Trader Joe’s is local- thanks to Melinda’s Blog

JENNIFER'S STOP THE LEAKS CHALLENGE- Just about finished the siding project on the North Gable- Looks good- or at least better than what was there- like gaping holes in the siding thanks to the roofing contractors- Just like Jennifer said in her blog this week “I'm never hiring out work again” of course I will change my mind- but I certainly feel her pain after the roofing contractor left me this job to do!

CRUNCHY DOMESTIC GODDESS’ DITCH THE DISPOSABLES CHALLENGE- LOL! Ran into a bit of trouble this week buying produce- Duane, the produce stand manager looked at me like I was some kind of nut for not putting my produce into little plastic bags! Get over it Duane! I think produce bags are totally stupid!
Remembered my commuter mug and “Kleen Kanteen” every trip this week! Take out once- Pizza, throw boxes in yard waste bin!

Weekly Challenge Update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Week 18
Plant something: Nothing
Prep something: Baked Sugar Pumpkins and one of my pumpkins I grew and pureed them and froze for pies; Roasted pumpkin seeds!Harvest something: Just some peas, one of my pumpkins- the other two are not ripe yet
Manage something: Painted bathroom vanity; cabinet; Repairing the siding that the roofers damaged during the addition by putting up sheathing, covering with roofers felt, then covering with cedar shingles to match the addition
Cook Something New: Actually- roasting the pumpkins and making and freezing pumpkin puree is new for me; But I feel that would be a cop out, so I made Simple Pumpkin Soup- it is super good!
Work on Local Food Systems: Bought some local sugar pumpkins I found at the green grocer’s
Re-Cycle, Re-Use, Reduce, Repair or Compost something: Repairing the siding that the roofers damaged during the addition by putting up sheathing, covering with roofers felt, then covering shingles to match the addition, started a Mend and make do challenge; Re-used an orange Chinese lantern- drew a Jack ‘O Lantern face on it- made into a decoration for Halloween- will keep for future use!
Learn a skill: making and freezing pumpkin puree

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Pretty good this week as I bought nothing except for some wire brads for the nail gun and some cedar shakes for the house. And two sugar pumpkins from the green grocer.

JENNIFER'S STOP THE LEAKS CHALLENGE: Started working on repairing the siding that the roofing contractor broke off. Removes big hole in the attic.

CRUNCHY DOMESTIC GODDESS’ DITCH THE DISPOSABLES CHALLENGE: I managed to remember my shopping bag everytime I went out- even to Lowes! And I remembered my commuter mug everytime as well. No take out this week at all

Work Work Work- Weekly Chalenges Update

Dig, dig, rake, rake and HOE. Busy little bugger am I

I am getting ready for the winter storms and power outages we always seem to have, from finding new ways to cook without power, and restocking supplies (propane, gasoline)

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Week 17
Plant something: Nothing
Prep something: Got some emergency weather cooking plans together, Pureed some pumpkins and froze

Harvest something: a few peas a few carrots.

Manage something: Found a Sterno folding stove at the thrift store, put in my emergency kit, built a rocket stove using on old popcorn tin, and some old stove pipe sitting in the garage, Made sure I had candles; checked propane tanks, made sure my mini propane tanks were full as well (I run a catalytic heater with them in no power times, made sure all battery lamps worked, checked battery powered fan on my catalytic heater;Check to make sure I had candles and sterno fuel- since i just bought a sterno stove it came with 4 cans (true confession: I buy a product called "Canned Heat" used for chafing dishes, works as well lasts as long and is cheaper than Sterno- I get it at the Party Universe Store, right here in Burien- am sure it is available in other cities at Party City (Same company)anyway Got 6 cans, Took a WSU Extension Class on composting to learn some tricks I did not know
Cook Something New: Yam Bread, Crunchy’s Grilled Pumpkin slices with Rosemary and Sea Salt

Work on Local Food Systems: Went to the last Farmer's Market of the year

Re-Cycle, Re-Use, Re-Duce, Repair or Compost something: Let’s see, re-used a popcorn tin, reused some stove pipe making my rocket stove, Made a comforter using an old Ikea quilt cover and some cotton batting I’ve had sitting around for awhile- I stuffed the batting in the quilt cover and sewed it solid with some yarn; Took a WSU King County Extension service Tools for Resourceful Living on composting to learn some tricks I did not know

Learn a skill: Learned how to make a rocket stove, learned how to make a quick quilt; Took a WSU Extension Class on composting to learn some tricks I did not know

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Bought a sterno folding camping stove at the thrift store; bought a lamp there as well; Made a comforter using an old Ikea quilt cover and some cotton batting I’ve had sitting around for awhile- I stuffed the batting in the quilt cover and sewed it solid with some yarn , Got 6 cans of "Canned Heat (Sterno) at Party Universe right here in Burien

JENNIFER'S STOP THE LEAKS CHALLENGE: Didn’t do much of anything- except put a door sealer strip on a couple of doors that were drafty. I need to put some Great Stuff in these doors behind the moulding as well

CRUNCHY DOMESTIC GODDESS’ DITCH THE DISPOSABLES CHALLENGE: Did very well this week. Went to the last farmers market of the year, and used no plastic bags at all for my purchases- I think the vendors are starting to get the message- I am not the only one who doesn’t see the need to put a peach or apple in a plastic bag, when I bring my own shopping bag- I see many who request No plastic bags. Remembered my Commuter mug every trip out- no disposable mugs used at all! No take out containers either!

Weekly Challenge Update

Well the cooler weather is moving in and so my sunflowers have decided to make a debut- Good thing cause they will be good food for the birds in the upcoming months. Also The garlic scapes are making their debut as well in their Earthtainer that I made from two 5 gallon buckets



Sunflowers and garlic scapes
make a debut!

Onto the challenges:

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge Week 16
Plant something: A few Kale seeds in pots.
Prep something: Froze peppers and onions; Froze tomatoes(I didn’t know you could freeze them but found this info from the U of Nebraska at Lincoln Extension Service)
Harvest something: A few peas, carrots, tomatoes, fall green beans are getting ready as are the pumpkins!
Manage something: Changed the bedding in the worm bin- Noticed I have worm babies! Made a couple of Mason Bee Houses, Finished in the Guest room/office, Cleaned freezer out and stocked it with game hens that I purchased at Grocery Outlet for a great price
Cook Something New: Note- I am really stretching it on this one- was reviewing Chile’s blog and her Quick and easy recipes and found the “Naner and Bread” in the “Quick Snacks” section so I made a couple of those (My blood sugar dropped suddenly, and I needed a quick snack) But I am counting it as I have never made these before.
Work on Local Food Systems: Attended a Sustainable Burien meeting
Re-Cycle, Re-Use, Re-Duce, Repair or Compost something: Shredded newspaper to use as bedding for worm bed. Put old worm bed bedding in regular compost. Put pepper plants in compost bin. Trimmed the plum tree and put the leaves and clippings and old zuke and cuke plants in yardwaste bin, repaired lamp that I dumpster dived for; Reused an old lamp and some bottles making booze bottle lamps for Christmas, re-used a booze bottle and made an oil lamp
Learn a skill: Learned how to cut holes in glass- not a real skill, but one I will use again in making more lamps and some other crafty items– helps re-use a bottle! Learned how to make oil lamps from the booze bottles as well

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE:
I did buy my lamp parts- but I went to IKEA and got one shade for $1 at the as is bin; (should count the same as buying used), Bought some river pebbles for the same project; bought a shopping bag at the grocery today which is okay- I needed another shopping bag

JENNIFER'S STOP THE LEAKS CHALLENGE
Insulated the window in my bathroom, This is the only single pane window in the house and will be replaced hopefully next year- trying to figure out why the worlds smallest bathroom has such a huge window (it is on the north side of the house)

CRUNCHY DOMESTIC GODDESS’ DITCH THE DISPOSABLES CHALLENGE Did okay this week- remembered my coffee mug and kleen kanteen every day! No plastic bags- I did forget my non-disposable bag today when I went grocery shopping, but bought a new one, which was okay as I needed another bag

Weekly Challenge Update: Phew I am tired!

This week was extremely busy on the home front (amazing what unemployment will do for working around the house) Did some guest posts for Burban Mom on her Going Green blog on plumbing repair and saving water-although I think she likes plumbing terms like “ball cock” and “nipples”! Anyway, I got a lot of shit done, got a plumbing job tomorrow to do for my cousin. Damn relatives- they just wait for a strike!

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge WEEK 15
Plant something: Broccoli (again), Turnips, Kale and Corn salad
Prep something: Took a class at Seattle Free School on growing sprouts- made some sprout growing jars out of mason jars and window screenHarvest something- More tomatoes, The last of the cucumbers or so I thought, I left two vines that have some baby cukes growing on them; lettuce; a few peas

Manage something- Got the window added to the kitchen- This is good for adding light and for warmth from the sun as it is on the South side of the house. Got the guest room/office organized a bit better, made some window screen Mason Jar growing thingys for sprouting

Cook Something New: Okay I broke down and finally made Melinda’s Lowfat Pancrack (Pancakes) since every one was saying how wonderful it is- And it is. Also, I was cooking an acorn squash and figured why not roast the seeds? So I did- Yummy little crunchy seeds- prepped them the same way as pumpkin seeds! And I did it the same time as I cooked the squash!
Work on Local Food Systems: Took a class at Seattle Free School on on growing sprouts, one of the advantages of the strike is I can attend classes and meetings!

Re-Cycle, Re-Use, Reduce, Repair or Compost something: Re-used lumber in my Window project. The lumber came from demolition when I had the addition put on my house. Re-used window trim leftover from addition project. Re-used a wine cork and a gin bottle in a lamp project; composted garden “junk”; re-used flyers from car show- I take the backside of flyers and use them when I print out things on my computer; Re-use some booze bottles for Oil Lamps; Used some leftover window screen to make Sprouting jars, and re-used some of my half pint jelly jars as well!

Learn a skill: Making oil lamps out of bottles- You can use olive oil for these or corn oil or safflower oil, but I chose lamp oil for my first one; Took a class at Seattle Free School on growing sprouts

MELINDA'S GROWING CHALLENGE Borage still great- about the end of it’s life; I might try freezing it or maybe dehydrating it. I really recommend this plant!
Broccoli- I have decided to replant broccoli seeds since I have appeared to kill mine. I will plant them in the garlic planter, since it is an "Earth-Tainer" and watering should not be a problem and the garlic of course hasn’t grown yet- Ooops- Just looking at the garlic planter and I have something growing already- so I planted broccoli in the squash box since it is mostly cleaned out

JENNIFER'S STOP THE LEAKS CHALLENGE Finished installing the window in the kitchen- Now on to the garage! I am going to install four windows in there replacing the corrugated fiberglass panels already there. I got the windows at 2nd Use.

CRUNCHY DOMESTIC GODDESS' DITCH THE DISPOSABLES CHALENGE I Failed on this one. I stopped for a coffee and forgot my commuter mug. Luckily the cup at Tully’s was compostable- but that doesn’t make it all right. It’s very unusual for me to forget my mug. Anyway I didn’t forget it any other time this week.