DONT BUY NUTHIN'

Ok Ms. Crunchola is at it again. Her timing is impeccable. She picks the time of year when I need to go out and buy a new mattress to put this challenge on. Oh well I can live another month on my old broken down mattress. Screw the economy, we got another challenge on. Maybe someone will put a new tempurpedic on freecycle. Maybe pigs will fly out my butt.

New old planters- The Weekly Challenge update

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Year two, week 10

1. Plant something: Repotted a tomato in a hanging planter to replace one that got damaged at the “Victory garden”; planted some lettuce and mesclun greens in planters
2. Harvest something: Strawberries, pea pods, lettuce, India mustard greens, Beet Greens, Arugula, Squash Blossoms, Dandelion flowers,
3. Preserve something: froze some ham biscuits that I made,
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something): put some construction debris in the recycle bin – was tin flashing so it can be recycled; re-used the water from canning bath to water potted veggies; making new planters out of old license plates
5. Preparation and Storage: hired a contractor to put new roof on garage;
6. Build Community Food Systems: Planted some seeds at Subu Demo garden aka The Victory Garden; took some plants from home to put in demo garden; Did my day of watering at the demo garden; took one of my “topsy turvey” tomato plants to the demo garden;
7. Eat the Food: Salad made from India mustard, lettuce;greens, arugula with feta cheese and balsamic vinegar and olive oil, topped with pepitas; Made dandelion fritters for the fourth;
8. Cook or eat something new:

Melinda’s Growing Challenge: Repotted a tomato in a hanging planter to replace one that got damaged at the “Victory garden”; planted some lettuce and mesclun greens seeds in planters

Melinda’s buying sustainably challenge: Didn’t buy anything except food- bought some onions and some peaches at farmers’ market; Last entry on this one for awhile as I am not sure the challenge is even going on!

The first Tomato of the year- the weekly challenge update

My First tomato of the year, off my robin tomato plants

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Year two, week 8

1. Plant something: Some “watermelon" radishes- a different variety than what I am use to; cherry belle radishes, transplanted hot pepper plants, some lettuce and some mesclun greens; “kent beauty” oregano – an herb whose flowers attract butterflys; transplanted a Hungarian pepper plant, Started some Sweet Potato slips , 2. Harvest something: India Mustard greens, Arugula, Beet Greens, and Dandelion, Basil, My first tomato!

3. Preserve something: Made and froze pasta and sauce for lunches and suppers; froze some basil cubes, bought one of those ziplock freezer vacuum packers with freezing bags to go along with my seal a meal; made a batch of strawberry jam (and before I get comments and emails on using jars not meant for canning, the large jar is one I put in the fridge immediately after for immedieiate consumption); froze the rest of the berries using Grandma's freezing trick
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something): Used a 5 gallon and a 3 gallon bucket to make a self watering planter; Used a big jar that had pepperoni sticks in it that I won in a raffle years ago to store homemade instant oatmeal in.Used some pizza boxes as weedblock for the potted plants in the front yard. The usual recycling, composting, vermi-composting.
5. Preparation and Storage: Obtained a case of jelly jars and a case of canning jars and lids; Checked the food in the freezer- need to start eating the guinea hens and other frozen food in there! Made a batch of Instant oatmeal, recipe found on Cheap Like Me’s blog stored in a big jar originally fully of short pepperoni sticks, reused for this purpose
6. Build Community Food Systems: Shared how I make Self watering planters on my blog; (ok a stretch, but it works for me); Volunteered some time and labor with SuBu creating a demo garden for community gardening at the B/ias(Burien Interim Art Space) in Burien
7. Eat the Food: India Mustard, Arugula, and Beet Greens, Dandelion greens in a salad with strawberries and feta cheese; Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil dressing; some Apriums (a plum and apricot mix) Used leftover salad in a wrap;
8. Cook or eat something new: India Mustard, Arugula, Beet Greens, Dandelion greens in a salad with strawberries and feta cheese; Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil dressing, Apriums and crème (well not crème- non-fat rice milk); Made a sugar free version of Chocolate Mug cake; Made some home made instant oatmeal following Cheap Like Me’s recipe

Melinda’s Growing Challenge: Showed how I make Self Watering Planters on this blog; Transplanted a Hungarian pepper, started some sweet potato slips; Volunteered some time and labor and donated some plants with SuBu creating a demo garden for community gardening at the B/ias(Burien Interim Art Space) in Burien




Melinda's Buy Sustainably Challenge: Bought Romeo a handmade chew toy from the Strawberry Festival and Sammy a Catnip Bird from the same and bought some Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar and a couple of jars of bell pepper sauce from vendors Sunday at the festival. FOUND OUT THAT FRED MEYER SELLS BULK ITEMS!!!-I bought rolled oats in bulk to make instant oatmeal. Saving $$$ over prepackaged instant oatmeal using Cheap like Me’s recipe ; bought a half flat of local strawberries at the Burien Farmers' Market

The Burien Strawberry Festival- Weekly Challenge Update

The Burien Strawberry Festival is going on this weekend. If you happen to be in South Seattle drive on out to Burien to the festival. There is a Fathers' Day Car Show on Sunday And from 2:30pm to the end, Robj98168(Hey that's Me!) will be manning the Sustainable Burien Booth, so come on down and get a coastal Strawberry Plant while they last! There are also inflatable rides, Wii Bowling, Food vendors representing all cultures and of course, my favorites- Elephant Ears and Roasted Corn (Yum!)

Pics from Saturdays Festival:

Becca a "S-B" Volunteer explains recycling to a citizen
Merry Ann, another S-B Volunteer, describes and hands out Native Coastal Strawberry plants

The guys from Solar Epiphany proving that Solar works in Seattle, even on a grey cloudy day

Now On to the Challenges:

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Year two, week 7

1. Plant something: Some “watermelon" radishes- a different variety than what I am use to
2. Harvest something: Fennel, strawberries, radishes, spring onions, India Mustard, arugula, some thinnings of purple kohl rabi, daikon radishes

3. Preserve something: Made and froze some “frosty paws” for the dogs;
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something): worm bedding (shredded newspaper and soaked for the worm bin); Found a chair in a dumpster dive and plan on re-upholstering wit some fabric I happen to have laying around
5. Preparation and Storage: Made a “charging station” for the lawn mower and Weedeater so they can stay out in their little shed
6. Build Community Food Systems: Worked with Sustainable Burien at the Strawberry Festival- We are trying to show How to recycle, how to start composting, giving free information on sustainability issues, and giving out free coastal strawberry plants
7. Eat the Food: Fennel, onions in a broccoli slaw; strawberries for breakfast; radishes, Daikon radishes; Used India mustard, arugula, some thinnings of purple kohlrabi in a salad,
8. Cook or eat something new: Fennel- used in a slaw- never had it before; Used India mustard, arugula, some thinnings of purple kohlrabi in a salad,

Melinda’s Growing Challenge: Not much to report, did a better report on Thursday

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Didn’t buy anything this week, minus some hinges and a eight foot section of picket fencing to make a gate out of (I will use the rest elsewhere- perhaps as deck railing)

6packs- My weekly challenge update

I bought this six pack of plants at the farmers market-such an ingeniuos way to sell plants- she just stuffed some newpaper in the bottom and filled with dirt-Hmmmm... gives me an idea for next years plant starting

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Year two, week 6

1. Plant something: My six pack of plants (corn, strawberries, mint and pumpkins) I bought at the Farmers’ Market; put my bird gourd plants in the ground;
2. Harvest something: Radishes, some scallions, strawberries
3. Preserve something: Dehydrated some jerky and vacuumed sealed in Mason Jars
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something): Donated some plant pots for Sustainable Burien to put strawberry plants in to give out at the Burien Strawberry Festival; some coffee grounds from Starbucks some in the worm bin, some directly in the soil (on my acid loving plants) and the rest in the compost- same thing coffee grounds from home and work; made some worm bedding out of newpaper; the usual recyling and composting
5. Preparation and Storage: Vacum sealed some beef jerky
6. Build Community Food Systems: Donated some plant pots for Sustainable Burien to put strawberry plants in to give out at the Burien Strawberry Festival; saved coupons for food bank to buy food
7. Eat the Food: radishes, used the scallions in an omelete; ate the strawberries while wlaking around watering the garden
8. Cook or eat something new: Nope

Melinda’s Growing Challenge :Transplanted the last of my tomatoes; planted the bird gourd plants

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: But some parts to make a collapsible table (am using some pvc lattice strips I already had); bought some plants and bread at the farmers’ market

Chinese Cabbage and Garden Weasels- Weekly Challenge Update

Well let's see- this week sucks- I have to work this weekend (and next) so little time for playing- but I did get to a "garage" sale put on by Safeway Employees benefitting the Susan G. Kolman Fund for Breast Cancer Research and found a garden Weasel for $2!

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Year two, week 5

1. Plant something: some new lettuce, some more radishes, Stevia plants, cilantro
2. Harvest something: Chinese cabbage;Radishes, spring onions, garlic, peas
3. Preserve something:
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something): made a couple of planters out of Urn type lamp bodies; got a new hammock, use the old canvas one for weed block- saved the rope for use later
5. Preparation and Storage: Bought some mason jars, bought a “Garden Weasel" at a garage sale benefitting the Susan G. Kolman fund at Safeway
6. Build Community Food Systems: Took a donation of food to the food bank- my water district has a drop off so it is not as far!
7. Eat the Food: Chinese cabbage, radishes, spring onions in a cole slaw, Chinese Cabbage stir fry with pea pods
8. Cook or eat something new: Chinese cabbage, radishes, spring onions in a cole slaw, Chinese Cabbage stir fry with pea pods

Melinda’s Growing Challenge
Potatoes doing good

Cilantro in a container made from a plumbing part
Tomatoes seem to like the self watering container

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Bought a Garden Weasel at a benefit garage sale; did buy a new hammock- was on sale and I plan on reusing the old one (canvas) for weed block and saved the rope from it for future use

I cannot tell a lie- I planted the cherry tree- My Weekly Challenge Update

My Cherry tree
This week was kinda busy- I had the three day weekend and then took Tuesday and Wednesday off and I had a class for work on Thursday and Friday- kinda of a whole week vacation! Anyway- finally finished the deck enlargement! After many years my deck is finished! I fixed some torn window screens, and planted a Cherry tree! What a week!


Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Year two, week 4

1. Plant something: radishes, catnip, corn plants, “Robin” Tomatoes, Started Bird Gourd plants (actually started a couple of weeks ago- just forgot to add to the list!), Planted a cherry tree!
2. Harvest something: Radishes, lettuce, spring onions
3. Preserve something: dehydrated chopped spring onions; candied lemon peels
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something): Repaired my torn window screens
5. Preparation and Storage: Finished adding 24’ addition (3’ X 8’) on the back deck;
6. Build Community Food Systems: Nothing this week
7. Eat the Food: candied lemon peels; radishes, lettuce, spring onions in salad
8. Cook or eat something new: candied lemon peels; “Homemade frosty paws” for Romeo

MELINDA'S GROWING CHALLENGE: Obtained some “Robin” tomatoes at the farmers’ Market- growing in a basket on the front porch; Planted some corn plants- disappointed that the seed corn is not growing :( Forgot to add Bird gourds (started from seed) to the list. I planted a cherry tree.

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Bought some “robin” Tomatoes- (little cherry tomato plants, not unlike tumblers) in a basket at the Farmers’ Market; Bought some window screen and some “splinting” to repair my window screens that got torn up during construction of the addition to my house.

Fake Plastic Rob- The Weekly Challenge Update

The Fake Plastic Gauntlet Challenge-
Starring Rob as The Wannabe Fake Plastic Fish
guest starring
Sammy The cat as Soots the cat

When I started this I totally expected to have a low total. What an eye opener! How quick we forget about bread wrappers, coffee lids etc.
I have a greater appreciation for what Beth goes through day in and day out. Now I realize that we were not suppose to alter our patterns for this challenge, but you can’t help it when you have on the back of the mind WWFPFD? I was surprised how easily forces beyond my control throw plastic at me. I was also surprised I remembered my own shopping bag all week. The coffee thing is something I gotta work on. I am very good at carrying my own mug (muggsly) everywhere, but I also forget from time to time. If I am more vigilant over my forgetfulness, I can be more like Beth. I even wrote an email to a company over their packaging- The American Peanut Company.
Notice I divide my waste to total amount, amount to be re-used and amount to be recycled. Of course one realizes it is better to reduce, but it’s nice to know I do pretty well at re-using and re-cycling.
Total plastic waste=28.25 ounces
Total of Plastic to be recycled =2.0
Total of Plastic for re-use= 21oz
Total to be Discarded= 6.0 ounces

Notice the nice new t-shirt- No plastic waste at all !
SUNDAY:
Container lid and straw from a Mocha Joe .5 ounces

MONDAY:

Sammy "Soots" can't leave the plastic alone
A small container of 2 cycle motor oil (kept the container to use for a measure cup and I can buy a larger size of the same oil)
A large ziplock bag that Romeo’s dog food comes in (washed the bag- will reuse) 2.0
(obviuosly that is not the ziplock bag- that bag is on tomorrows count)

A couple of plastic bags that some of my compost came in (will reuse those bags in the garden)
A zippered bag that I got as a gift containing a mattress pad (reuse to put sweaters in)
Milk Jug (recycle) I would buy milk in a glass bottle if it were available- stores that sell it (whole Foods, PCC) have no interest in expanding south of Seattle
2 small (single serving) bags of peanuts – I thought they were paper, plastic that looks and feels like paper? The nerve!
Total for Tuesday- 15 oz

1 Large (5lb) container from NW BEST POTATO SALAD 2.5 OZ(reuse for a compost container to feed worms in worm bin)
2 top ramen wrappers .5 Oz
3 envelopes with plastic windows- recycle
1 Large envelope that my Union Lobbyist pin came in
1 very small ziplock bag that the pin came in way to small to re-use
1 six pack ring- cut up before throwing away (need to figure out a way to reuse those in an art project one of these days)
Total for Wednesday- 4.5 oz


THURSDAY
1 small plastic bag that contained four of the best snickerdoodles I ever ate (bought at the farmers market).25 oz will reuse for cheese or something
1 small plastic cup from a “Crystal Light” orange drink mix (My “orange Juice”).25 TOTAL WASTE FOR THURSDAY= .50 Oz.
FRIDAY
1 plastic lid from a coffee(I was bad this week- that’s two coffee purchases and no Muggsly).25 oz
2 “ramen” wrappers (Notice I don’t include the seasoning packets with the top ramen – I am not cheating- I save them if the recipe doesn’t call for them- then when a recipe calls for boullion or stock and I don’t have any they go in) .5 oz
1 Dakota Organic Hamburger package-.5 (at least it was“organic”)
1 Ziplock type bag from shredded mozzarella cheese .5 (will reuse)
TOTAL FOR FRIDAY= 1.75

Saturday
1 Ziplock style bag from cheese- .5 oz (will be re-used)
1 plastic cover from a hacksaw I bought (drives me nuts that the feel they need that kind of packaging- like the tool will spoil or something ).5 oz
1 plastic spoon that broke- am going to buy only wooden mixing spoons from now on 1.0 ounces
Total for Saturday 2.0 ounces

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Year two, week 3
Note I added a new (old) Category to sharon’s challenge: “Cook or Eat something new” because I missed that part of last years challenge so much. And I think it is important to try new things (food wise) this gives me an opportunity to find new ways to cook things- This week I went totally Ramen crazy and made Tomato Pie for the first time
1. Plant something: India Mustard greens, Arugula; Purple Kohl Rabi; Chives, Spaghetti Squash
2. Harvest something: dandelion greens
3. Preserve something: Dehydrated some “orange flesh” honey dew melon, dehydrated cantaloupe
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce or compost something): Re-used an old mattress pad for weed block;
5. Preparation and Storage: nope
6. Build Community Food Systems: Saved coupons to take for sustainable Burien meeting, for food bank.
7. Eat the Food: ate some dandelion greens
8 Cook or eat something new: Made Ramen noodle Surprize and I made Ramen Spaghetti Pie; Tomato Pie

Melinda’s Growing Challenge I planted India Mustard greens, Arugula; Purple Kohl Rabi; Chives, Spaghetti Squash; Harvested some Dandelion greens for a salad

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGES: Did pretty good… ate out twice- all local (no chain restaurants); Bought my spaghetti squash plants at the farmers market;

We can has tomatoes?- The Weekly Challenge Update

Some of the heirloom varieties I bought at

a charity tomato plant sale last week

in a self watering container

Window box romas and tumblers (from seed)

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge-- Year two, week 3

1. Plant something: Nasturtiums; Kohlrabi, Basil seeds, Brussel sprout plants, pineapple sage plant; onion sets ( I know they should be planted already- but onions later is better than no onions!- I got them on a discount)Tomatoes
2. Harvest something: Swiss Chard, parsley, basil, radish thinnings;
3. Preserve something: dehydrated swiss chard; parsley. Froze some basil cubes. Froze Chard stems
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce or compost something): Repaired my steamer basket (was missing a leg) went hardware store and purchased a stainless steel nut and bolt and voila- fixed!
5. Preparation and Storage: Made some liquid laundry soap from soap nuts and stored in a glass fruit juice jar; made some trellises out of some decorative fencing
6. Build Community Food Systems: I did it! Offered up space for two 4 x 4 garden beds on Urban Gardenshare;
7. Eat the Food: Steamed Chard stems; ate some dehydrated chard,


Melinda’s Growing Challenge: Nasturtiums; Kohlrabi, Basil seeds, Brussel sprout plants, pineapple sage plant; onion sets ( I know they should be planted already- but onions later is better than no onions!- I got them on a discount)Tomatoes

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Did pretty good this week all things considering… I did purchase a digital video camera that I have been waiting along time for= price was right with coupon, Other than that no new purchases- wait- I did buy romeo a 20’ tie down leash so he could go with me to work on weekends and not have to sit in a hot car.

Coming Next Week:

Fake Plastic Fish's Plastic Gauntlet Challenge- I will be assuming the identity of one Ms. Fish- won't her husband be surprised!

Busy Busy week- The Weekly Update Challenge

Peas growing in a Self Watering Container

Made from two 5 gallon Buckets

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge-
1. Plant something: Some tomato plants, cucumbers, borage seeds, tomato plants; dill seed; corn salad; lettuce; watermelon plants (from seed), started some sprouts (gotta keep on the sprouts or I will lose interest)
2. Harvest something: some lettuce. swiss chard, an early garlic; parsley
3. Preserve something: Dehydrated some Chard; parsley
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce, repair or compost something): Found a bunch of big plant pots- going to reuse them; found a couple of items to re-purpose as plant pots
5. Preparation and Storage: Added another level to the potato condo; Bought some yogart to make crème cheese with
6. Build Community Food Systems: Put my bag out for the Letter Carriers Food Drive; Went to Sustainable Burien meeting and found out more about “p-patches hopefully starting here in Burien- thinking about Making a couple of raised beds and letting some one grow something in them via Urban Gardenshare.
7. Eat the Food: Salad from lettuce, Chard, the garlic,

Melinda’s Growing Challenge Things are popping up all over! Saw the first seedling of the fennel plants and the first seedlings of sunflowers, planted my pumpkin plants (from seed), watermelon plants (from seed), bought some nice Tomato Plants (Heirloom) I bought at the charity sale (started from seed not by me, but by Carol the gal running the sale in her green house); My own tomato plants don’t look so good except for the tumblers and Window box romas.

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGES: Found a use for the garden aug that Billy Mays made me buy- it makes an excellent tool for turning compost! Other than that I bought some tomato plants from a charity sale benefiting the Stanley Stamm summer camp(very local the gal selling them for the charity actually starts them in her green house); Bought a couple of neat trellises for the garden from the hardware store;

Coffee, Tea or Ivy? The Weekly Challenge Update

My coffee carafe planter
Using the new format that Sharon came up for the independence challenge- note: Cook Something New has become Eat the food (I assume that you harvested)Preparation and storage took over for the two categories Prepare something and Store Something- makes sense to me!


Sharon's Independence Day's Challenge-
1. Plant something: Basil, acorn squash, pumpkins, summer squash
2. Harvest something: Just some sprouts. And a nibble of lettuce.
3. Preserve something: Nothing
4. Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce or compost something): Made a planter out of a coffee carafe; some coffee grounds into the compost from starbucks
5. Preparation and Storage: Built one more raised bed for the pumpkins (moving them into the backyard from the front this year)
6. Build Community Food Systems: Hoping to learn more about the “P-Patch” at next weeks Sustainable Burien meeting.
7. Eat the Food: Ate the sprouts I picked this week on a nice salad

Melinda’s Growing Challenge Planting time- Acorn squash, pumpkins, summer squash. Will be planting my seed started tomatoes tomorrow, weather permitting

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGES: Getting the gardening purchases out of my system. Little info-mercial watcher that I am, I did by a “Garden Aug” to attach to my drill. Billy Mays is the devil.

Crunchy’s sustainable food budget challenge: (last post for this challenge) Well, I had $39 to last the final week of April. I did not make it. Groceries- $29, Freezer/Pantry Items (Estimate) $20, Coffee Stops $3, lunch at work $9 I went $22 over the budget for the month of May. Not too bad, but I really need to look at my spending habits (And coffee stops might have to be the first to go!)

Bay Leaves and Gardening- The weekly challenge update

Bay Laurel
I was going to do a sexy shirtless pic ala Crunchy, but decided I would save you from that. That and I am not sure that what I think is lambquarters is lambquarters. Didn' want to stick a lambqurter in my mouth only to find out it was something like poison oak.
Instead I took pics of my cabbage boxes and one of the Bay Laurels I planted

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge-
Plant Something: 2 Bay Laurels, "jalapo" peppers, Kung Pao peppers, fennel, Sunflowers (for the birds); started watermelon seeds; corn, radishes, carrots, cabbage plants
Harvest Something: Some corn salad plants that wintered over ; Chard -Yes I am overrun with chard!
Preserve something: Tried dehydrating Chard following Chile’s process, and the last of the parsley for awhile; Made my own Frozen Mashed potato cubes. Bought a big block of Cheese, sliced it and grated part of it and froze the grated cheese for use later, small jar of Bay leaves from my Bay Laurel plants

Store something: Mixed up some of what I call Mel’s Mix for potting. I use it in hanging planters. It’s pretty good in raised beds as well. Put it into 5 gallon buckets.Shredded some cheddar cheese and froze it -Yes I know it will be crumbly!

Manage Reserves: Bought a Neuton Mower and plan on selling the old tractor! SAY IT ISN’T SO! But if I get the yard they way I want it I really won’t need the tractor anymore. Got a price quote on gravel for the front yard and driveway. Dirt and rocks don’t come cheap!
Cooked something new- Papaya sorbet. Yes, I copied my McDougall fave with a new fruit
Reduce Waste (recycle, reuse, reduce or compost something): Been making planters out of found objects, recycling other planters, Used the box my Nueton came in as weed block in one raised bed, used some pizza boxes as weed block in others.Got some new blades for my Cuisinart for nothing (mom was giving her Cuisinart to Salvation Army and her blades fit mine)! Now I can grate my own cheese in bulk and broccoli as well.
Learn a New Skill: Took a “Solar Primer” class for the home put on by Seattle City Light and NW My Cabbage planters

Seed. Very informative. Also Very expensive.

The class discusses the incentives here in Washington on adding Solar Photo Voltaic and Solar Hot Water. Venture to guess I would go with Hot water to start, energy later. Found out through the class my garage and my house are good candidates for both!
Work on Community Food Security: Offered some of my leftover plant starts on free cycle

Melinda’s Growing Challenge Got more things planted- 2 Bay Laurels, "jalapo" peppers, Kung Pao peppers, fennel, Sunflowers (for the birds); started watermelon seeds; corn, radishes, carrots, cabbage plants

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGES: nope. Not this week. Bought the Neuton Lawnmower and lots of garden stuff (compost, soil)

Crunchy’s sustainable food budget challenge: Not as great this week- Groceries $42, breakfast out at a local creperie- $8; lunch bought at a retirement party for a bunch of folks at work $12, Pizza $5; Didn’t pay for coffee stops at all this week, used gift cards Total this week =$67, $106 left in budget so grand total = = $39 left for the last week in the month!

Onion Soup MMMMMMMM Good- The Weekly Challenge update

Spring Onion and Potato Soup
A pretty good week this week. Things are sprouting up and growing.


Sharon's Independence Days Challenge-
Plant Something: Started some summer squash reminescient of my AuntShirley's Syrian Squash she used for stuffed squash, Carrots, peas,runner beans, Pepper plants,Started pumpkins,
Harvest Something: Some Chard, sproutsPreserve something: dehydrated some more parsleyStore something: dehydrated parsley into jar
Manage Reserves: Repaired the water line to the garage and my backyard spigot (need to insulate that line befor next winter
Cooked something new: Spring onion /Mashed potato soup:
Very similar to the "leek potato soup" recipe I use

Olive oil- 2 tablespoons
Garlic- 1 clove grated or ½ teaspoon of dried
Spring onions- 4-6
Chile powder-½ teaspoon
Potatoes - two good sized ones
4 cups vegetable stock or broth
Salt to taste No more than ¼ teaspoon
Pepper (white or black) - ¼ teaspoon
Milk or cream- ½ pint

First, clean and chop the onions. Green stem and all
Put olive oil in a pan and add the chopped onions and garlic.
Fry them over a low to medium heat until the onions are soft.
This will take about ten minutes. Stir frequently so that none of the ingredients brown. Peel the potatoes and chop them into cubes. Click on the picture to enlarge it and see the size of the cubes more clearly.
This can be done while the leeks are being fried.
Add all the remaining ingredients to the pan with the exception of the milk / cream.
Bring the soup to the boil and then let it simmer (just barely boiling) for the remaining cooking time. Add milk or cream and serve

Reduce Waste(recycle, reuse, reduce or compost something): Made a couple more upside down planters for pepper plants; used some old lumber (fence boards) to add a level to my potato condo
Learn a New Skill: Nope
Work on Community Food Security: Nope

Melinda’s Growing Challenge Everything is
coming up great. Started some squash and pumpkins from seed, my shallots
and potatoes are popping up to say hello, garlic looks fine, got peas and
runner beans started, carrots planted. And I still haven't killed the
tomato seedlings! And my Broccolli and Cauliflower look good! Did buy some pepper starts as I forgot about starting some from seed

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Just some pepper plants (not from seed) and some eye bolts at the hardware store. Got a new planting spade at the dollar store as well as some planting pots and accessories.

Crunchy’s sustainable food budget challenge:
Store= $52, items from freezer and pantry- Estimatated $25; Lunch out- $4 (Yes I am a cheap date),
coffee stops- $6 (there were more trips, but I had a gift card from my boss)=$87 Total
So $193 left in budget from last week, - this week $87- Total $106 for the rest of the month. Sweet!

Upside Down Tomatoes- The Weekly Challenge Update

This week I made some great Upside down tomato planters thanks to Cheap Vegetable Gardener; Discovered some potatoes sprouting in the potato condo. And my scallions are sprouting too!

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge-
Plant Something: Columnar Apple trees, peas, elderberry bush, strawberry plants, zucchini plants, tomato plants(not my seed plants)
Harvest Something: Some carrots (wintered over) Some Chard
Preserve something: dehyrdated some parsley
Store something: dehydrated parsley into jar
Manage Reserves: made some upside down tomato planters
Cook Something New: My take on McDougalls Bean Tacos
Prep Something:
Reduce Waste(recycle, reuse, reduce or compost something): Made some topsy turvy tomato planters; made a clock out of a collectable Altoids tin,
Learn a New Skill: Learned how to make upside down tomato planters

Work on Community Food Security: For a friend’s birthday, I bought him 4 tomato plants (he and girl friend just moved to a house and wants to garden) and some seeds and tools. Best part of all- no wrapping involved!

Melinda’s Growing Challenge- Got my columnar apple trees planted- LOL looks like I planted three sticks- Hopefully they will be full of apples next season; also planted peas, strawberries, zucchini, some tomato plants for topsy turvey planters.

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Not much this week just a clock kit and some duct tape.

Crunchy’s sustainable food budget challenge: $18.50(10.00freezer goods- home froze and boughten, breakfast out (car club meeting- $8.50); Trader Joes Food Items-$30.00; food I took for party 18.00 Starbucks visits $9; lunch at work-$6 Total spent- $90
$283 - $90= 193 left in budget

Johnny Appleseed I Ain't- Weekly Challenge Update

Not a pic of my columar apple tree, but with a little luck...

What a week! I had to work this weekend so didn't get much done on the challenge front. I did however get some neat plants! And I got some things planted!
Sharon's Independence Days Challenge-

Plant Something: Sprouts, Planted some “Walla Walla Sweets” onions, My artichoke. My columnar apple trees are in and they need to get planted as well as an elderberry bush and strawberries. I will plant them Monday as I have some free time.

Harvest something: some sprouts

Preserve something: nope

Store something: Nope

Manage Reserves: In the process of building some new raised beds.

Cook Something New: Not this week

Prep Something: Got busy in the compost bin- added chicken manure and turned the compost.

Reduce Waste (Reduce,Re-Use, ReCycle,Repair) : Got some steel truck wheels off Free-cycle- which I plan on turning into Foot stools;
Learn a New Skill: Learned the GrowVeg.com thing


MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: got my columnar fruit trees, an elderberry bush, and strawberries from Raintree Nursery which I got using a gift certificate, bought some topsoil and some chicken manure. The topsoil goes in the garden; the chicken manure goes in the compost bin

Melinda’s Growing Challenge- tomato starts are still not dead- got my columnar fruit trees, an elderberry bush, and strawberries from raintree nursery

Crunchy’s sustainable food budget challenge: Okay so far- my budget is $283 after figuring out that I am 1.5 people. So far, we have lived out of the freezer, I am guessing about $10 – I did have breakfast out yesterday- So add another $8.50 to the total

I wanna go back to my little grass shack....Weekly Challenge update

Well not much got down around Casa De Los Pink flamingos this week- I did start a new project- I had an old canopy (an "e-z up) whose top has seen better days - it was torn- so I did what any good re-user would do and made a new one from reed fencing. I am gonna put this where you see the bikes in front of the rain barrel. I was pricing gazebos and pergolas- $500 to $1500! And you know I am really cheap!
So I got my creative freak on and made this "roof" for my old canopy frame. Cost was about $50 for the reed fencing and $2 for the tie-wraps to attach it.

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge-
Plant Something: Nothing really- restarted some new sprouts
Harvest Something: some pea sprouts
Preserve something: nope
Store something: Bought some Morningstar products on sale, and Safeway had a sale- buy $25 in frozen food get a coupon for $10 of shopping, put all in the freezer
Manage Reserves: Made a new raised bed for garden.
Cook Something New: still into the sorbet thing – made some blueberry (so far it is my favorite) Made some roast chicken thighs topped with Rotola cheese ( mozzarella and persciutto ham rolled up and sliced- very good
Prep Something: Nope
Reduce Waste: Saved the canopy frame and top from going in to the waste stream (see above), Will use the old canopy for gardening and covering my load in the pickup.
Learn a New Skill:
Work on Community Food Security: Made a donation to the food bank, bought some Via coffee (from Starbucks) for troops over seas;

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Bought some reed fencing for canopy project; and some tie wraps at dollar store; got two free tickets to Regal cinemas, used those to see "I Love You Man"

Melinda’s Growing Challenge- Nothing to report (tomato starts are still not dead!)

Crunchy’s Freeze Yer Balls off Challenge: Last week of this challenge- I cannot remember a winter with low temps this late into the season (It’s spring, dammit!) But have toughed it out all winter with exception for when I hold the mother of all colds. My power bills reflect the lower thermostats.

Spring time blooms- Weekly Challenge Update

Plum tree with buds on it- ready to rock and roll

Ahhh spring- when everyyoung mans fancy turns to lust... or in my case rust.

You can always tell when I take time off from work- I go into a tailspin at home

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge-
Plant Something: Potatoes, Sprouts, Peas, some lettuce and some runner beans; Artichoke plant, Onion Sets, Some basil,

Potato Condo- phase 1

Harvest Something: Sprouts
Preserve something: Froze some citrus fruit to use for sorbets later, made some casseroles and froze them for later
Store something: Nope
Manage Reserves: Went through and checked pickles and other canned goods; got my apple trees and some strawberry plants ordered (finally) with the gift certificate I got for Christmas
Cook Something New: Orange Sorbet
Prep Something: Fixed some shelving up for plant starts in windows; Finished the SWP’s for my tomato plants;
Reduce Waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair: Made a fountain out of a lamp and some ole silver plate; made a “Junk Art” Robot to hold my recipes out of a Trader Joe’s Mint tin, some bolts, some Unistrut brackets; Mounted my Solar powered security light to a pole to make light for the dog;
Learn a New Skill: Learned how to do my will online
Work on Community Food Security: Saved some coupons to give to the gal at Sustainable Burien who uses them for the food bank.

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Garden buying is here- sustainable buying is out the window- Bought some lumber to make raised bed boxes, bought some compost and vermiculite to fill those boxes- but since that stuff is used to grow food-I am not counting it as buying unsustainable

Melinda’s Growing Challenge- Bought an Artichoke plant – not started from seed, but wanted to try one anyway-

Crunchy’s Freeze Yer Balls off Challenge: Not so bad now that it is warming up

Mantles and MacDougle- Weekly Challenge update

The "faux mantle" I made mom out of old pine boards
Well this was a very strange week. First the weather was odd. Snow in this area is rare- but snow in mid-march? Even Rarer. It snowed this morning- I woke up to huge snowflakes. And snow on the ground. I made Banana "Ice Cream" last night, a recipe from Chile's McDougle Cookbook I won in a giveaway on the McDougling with Chile blog. I included instructions on how to make in this weeks Challenge Update, made a "faux" mantle for my mom using some old pine boards in the garage. Pretty busy week now that I think about it!
Sharon's Independence Days Challenge-
Plant Something: Finished the potato “condo”. Didn’t plant potatoes yet but they now have a home!Harvest Something: Some sprout mixture
Preserve something: Nothing of note
Store something: Nothing of note
Manage Reserves: Started on the pantry/laundry room- Start at the bottom, making a better spot for Sammy's kitty potty, one with some privacy and hidden form the world- the only trouble is out of site, out of mind- Will need to be more diligent about cleaning
Cook Something New: After receiving the McDougle cookbook in Chile’s giveaway- opted to make some Banana Ice Cream- very easy: two frozen bananas(peel before freezing), 1/3 cup of soymilk (I cheated and used nonfat milk)place in the food processer – surprised it made a nice ice cream.
Prep Something: Finished the potato condo
Reduce Waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair: made a hanging light fixture from an old squirrel cage fan, used old 2X4’s in making the potato condo.Made my mom a mantle from some old pine boards I had on hand.
Learn a New Skill: Made my rebar bender- now bending rebar- very therapeutic.
Work on Community Food Security: Nothing I can think of

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Did not buy anything this week except for groceries. No art supplies, nothing. OOOPS bought stuff to make rebar bender- ½” flange, ½” 90 degree fitting, Some bolts and nuts.

Crunchy’s Freeze Yer Balls off Challenge: It *&^%$# snowed again this morning. My Balls are still freezing. *&^%$ Weathermen.

Mexi Pizzas and Me- Weekly Challenge Update

This week I got into more meatless meals- And an old favorate- Mexi Pizza's - they are a form of Tostado- very simple to make- Some refried Beans, a layer of Cheese, topped with salsa on a fried tortilla! On Thursday I made them with a layer of the "meat" left over from the Sloppy Jose's (Morningstar Farms "Crumbles" TVP was the meat!)


Sharon's Independence Days Challenge-
Plant Something: Planted shallots, got tomato plants started as well as my pumpkins and summer squash
Harvest Something: Some sprout mixture
Preserve something: Nothing of note
Store something: Some brown rice in a big bag that was on sale into mason jars and vacuumed packed
Manage Reserves: Drew up some ideas on making the laundry/pantry more efficient- better outlay
Cook Something New: Just the Sloppy Jose’s- never made them with TVP before; experimented with making “Mexican Pizza”, a type of tostado; never made meatless before now
Prep Something: Finishing up on the potato condo- ran out of screws and staples on Sunday evening all the stores are closed; making up some SWP’s (Self watering Planters);
Reduce Waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair: made another bird bath from lamp parts I had on hand as a gift; No gift wrapping in three gifts I gave this week; used some old lumber in making my potato planter;
Learn a New Skill: Studying up on bending rebar, got instruction on making a bender, figured out how to make a rebar bender- need to get parts and make it
Work on Community Food Security: Went to a sustainable Burien meeting, one of the local churches would like to donate some it's land for P-Patches, Great possibility- very exciting

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Did not buy anything this week except for some neoprene rubber washers for bird bath I made for my cousin; Just groceries and a big bag of Brown Rice that was on sale

Crunchy’s Freeze Yer Balls off Challenge: Balls still frozen- doesn’t know it a'int supposed to snow Thermostats still set to 55 when gone or sleeping 65 when home (It is snowing while I am typing this- trace amount but still

Older But Wiser- The Weak-ly Challenge Update:

Well another year older, another year wiser? Got some nice stuff for my birthday, Not too much packaging (In fact two of my presents none at all!) So maybe folks are listening to me bitch as I get older. And next year I get to join AARP so I can be a card carrying bitcher!
AWAY WE GO:

Sharon's Independence Days Challenge- Week 36
Plant Something:Some sprouts; planted some peas for pea sprouts
Harvest Something: Salad Mixture sprouts, Lentil Bean Sprouts,
Store something: Some beans and seeds for sprouting
Cook Something New: Nothing new- except did use some of the apple pulp in my juicer in my morning oatmeal
Prep Something: Got to working on some new raised bed planters, and some SWP's (Self Watering Planters)
Reduce Waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair: Saved another lamp from becoming trash and turned it into a birdbath for my cousin for her birthday! Repaired the rain barrel again! Made some Luminaria from tin cans
Learn a New Skill: I learned how to use the new juicer I got for my birthday
Work on Community Food Security: Nope

MELINDA'S BUY SUSTAINABLY CHALLENGE: Did very little shopping. It was my birthday so I didn't have to; I bought some rubber washers to make another lamp birdbath, this time for a cousin who is turing 60! Other than that, and some art supplies and of course groceries- nothing new!

Crunchy’s Food Waste Challenge: The last posting for this one as crunchy has wrapped it up!I ended up composting two slices of moldy bread thatI wass going to save for bread pudding- ooops. I got a Juicer for my birthday- so now, not only can I have fresh apple juice (Yea!) I can figure out what to do with the pulp left behind- this morning I mixed apple pulp with my oat meal! And I Found out the dog likes orange pulp!!!Someone (Romeo) Chewed the corner off of a box of Vegetable Stock I bought for soup- It went out into the drain along with the contents of of the soup box which where in my reusable shopping bag.

Bad puppy :(

Crunchy's Freeze Your Buns Challenge: I cannot wait for warmer weather- I hate sitting around at night freezing. but still at 55/65!