In August 2014, California became the first state to enact legislation imposing a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags at large retail stores. Several states are following California’s lead including Oregon. Although Oregon does not outright ban plastic bags yet, … Continue reading →
We have lots of bad bugs in our gardens. They are an absolute nuisance and wreak havoc on our vegetable plants. Battling the bugs is a constant and I am always looking for natural ways to keep the population of … Continue reading →
When Eli and Ian were young we couldn’t afford fancy vacations so we went camping — a lot. We still like to go camping; however, as we have gotten older Gary and I prefer more comfort than a tent and … Continue reading →
The cool, wet climate of the The Pacific Northwest produces temperate rainforests which are perfect for growing mushrooms. One of our favorite mushrooms to harvest in the wild is chanterelles. They have a nice mild peppery-type flavor that compliments a … Continue reading →
I believe every gardener has had a period of frustration with aphids. These small sap-sucking insects can ruin a head of broccoli or cauliflower in short order. Once they land on your plants they multiply quickly and create a lot … Continue reading →
I love anything pumpkin — pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin curry soup, pumpkin spice cake, and on and on. So I grow a lot of pumpkins each year, process them, and freeze the puree. My favorite pumpkin to use is … Continue reading →
Always there is an abundance of zucchini, whether I plant five zucchini or just one. Even after giving away as many as I can, some years I have to get creative with using them all. We all like pickles, the … Continue reading →
We always look forward to the time of year when the tuna run, which in our neck of the woods is usually the beginning of July through September. Tuna is a good source of fish oil in our diet and … Continue reading →
Quince is a pome fruit related to apples and pears. An old-fashioned fruit, once quite popular, quince is rarely used now due to the astringent quality of the fruit. Quince cannot be eaten directly from the tree like a pear … Continue reading →
Every year I order cranberries from a cranberry farm near us. We all love cranberries and I usually order enough for Gary and me and to share with everybody else in the family. If you haven’t had homemade cranberry juice … Continue reading →
