Hens

Now that temperatures have dropped, our garden has been put to rest.  Our hens are happily foraging in the space, turning compost into the soil, pecking at bugs, and fertilizing as they go.  Our neighbor and friend (who happens to be an amazing photographer) Teri Pieper came over yesterday to take some photos of our picturesque birds.  Thanks, Teri!

Flax Seed Crackers

My friend Heidi gave me the instructions for these delicious crackers. They are really easy to make, and add an interesting twist to an appetizer. Serve them with fresh goat cheese or hummus - your guests are bound to love them.

Ingredients:
2 cups whole flax seed
2 cups water
Optional - 3/4 cup pumpkin or sesame seeds
Optional - 3/4 cup sunflower seeds
1 to 2 cups diced onion
1 tbsp curry
1 tbsp cumin
1 tspn sea salt

Directions:
- Soak flax seed with equal amount of water 4 to 24 hours. Soak any other seeds you choose in extra water for at least two hours then drain.
- Slice as much as two cups onion. Mix the gooey flax with other drained seeds, onion, and salt.
- Spread onto dehydrator trays and sprinkle with more salt. Dry until crisp, about 6 hours. This makes four square feet about 1/16" thick. Break into bite size pieces and store in mason jars.
Note: instead of using a dehydrator, you can place the mixture into the oven on low (170 degrees F) for 6-8 hours.

Hearty Chicken & Tortellini Soup

Soup Night has begun once again, so I will be posting our weekly recipes.  This is our fifth year rotating homes each week throughout the cold and dark months, concocting delicious soups and feasting with friends.  We hope you enjoy our tasty creations!

Ingredients

4 quarts flavorful chicken broth

1 3/4 Lb cleaned whole chicken

6 large carrots, scrubbed, thinly sliced

2 medium onions, chopped

2 bay leaves

1 Tbsp cumin

1/2 Lb (8 ounces) tortellini noodles

2 bok choy, cut into 4-6 wedges

1/4 C. soy sauce

2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Salt

Freshly ground pepper

2 Tbsp minced fresh or dried parsley

Directions
- In a large pot combine broth and chicken. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes, or until juices run clear.
- Remove chicken from pot and set aside until cool enough to handle. Strain broth. (Chicken and broth may be prepared to this point a day ahead and refrigerated.)
- Return broth to pot and bring to a boil. Add carrots, onions, bay leaves and cumin. Simmer until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
- Shred meat from chicken, discarding skin and bones. Tear into small pieces. Add chicken meat back into pot along with noodles, bok choy, soy and Worcestershire sauces. Increase heat to medium-high and continue to cook until noodles are just tender, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Remove bay leaves.  Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper.
- Serve immediately.  Garnish with parsley.

Birdie Hat

Thank you to Suzanne Frary for this awesome (free) knit hat pattern. Birdie is a trim hat with a petite brim. It is knit in the round from the bottom. On top, the cables twirl together in a sunburst design. Just like the classic baseball caps which inspired it, Birdie is topped off with a button.

Thank you to my precious model Cymone.

Materials
Yarn: 150 yds (135 m) of dk/sport weight yarn.
Needles: U.S. 4 (3.5 mm), 16” circular and 4 dpns
Crochet hook: U.S. D (3.25 mm)

Cable needle, stitch markers, tapestry needle

Gauge: 23 sts, 38 rws per 4 in. in st st. One 16 st pattern rep at cast on edge, where it is stretched, is 2.5 in. One pattern repeat, relaxed, is 2 in.

Size: One size fi ts most teens and adults. Finished hat at bottom band, before brim is attached, is 14.25 in, after brim is attached, 17.5 in. Hat will comfortably stretch up to about 23 in. The brim is 1.75 in deep by 5.5 in wide.


Notes
Abbreviations and charts are at bottom.
Cable and garter st panel, 16 sts, 6 rws
rnd 1: [p1, k6, p2, k6, p1] rep to end
rnd 2: [p1, k6, p2, k1, p4, k1, p1] rep to end
rnd 3: [p1, 3/3LC, p2, k6, p1] rep to end
rnd 4: rep rnd 2
rnd 5: rep rnd 1
rnd 6: rep rnd 2
Repeat these 6 rows.


Pattern
With circular needles or dpns, loosely CO 112 sts. Join to knit in the round. Place marker at beginning of rnd. Work rnd 1 of cable and garter st pattern. Count over 69 sts from the beginning of rnd. Place a marker or scrap yarn on st 69.  This marks the beginning of the brim which will be worked later.  Continue working in the cable and garter st pattern as established.  Work 42 rnds, or 7 complete pattern reps. Work
measures 4.5 ins from CO edge.


Shape top of hat
Once there are too few sts to continue with circular needles, change to dpns.
Rnd 43: [p1, k6, p2, k2, k2tog, k2, p1] 7x, 105 st
Rnd 44: [p1, k6, p2, k1, p3, k1, p1] 7x
Rnd 45: [p1, 3/3LC, p2, k2, k2tog, k1, p1] 7x, 98 st
Rnd 46: [p1, k6, p2, k1, p2, k1, p1] 7x
Rnd 47: [p1, k6, p2, k1, k2tog, k1, p1] 7x, 91 st
Rnd 48: [p1, k6, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1] 7x
Rnd 49: [p1, k6, p2, k1, k2tog, p1] 7x, 84 st
Rnd 50: [p1, k6, p2, k2, p1] 7x
Rnd 51: [p1, 3/3LC, p2, ssk, p1] 7x, 77 st
Rnd 52: [p1, k6, p2, k1, p1] 7x
Rnd 53: [p1, k6, p1, sp2p] 7x, 63 st
Rnd 54: [p1, k6, p2] 7x
Rnd 55: p1, [k6, sp2p] 7x. The last dec will encompass the last st of this rnd and the fi rst st of the next rnd. The next stitch after the dec becomes the fi rst st of the next rnd. Adjust marker to refl ect new starting point. 49 st
Rnd 56: [k6, p1] 7x
Rnd 57: [k2, ssk, k1, ssk] 7x, 35 st
Rnd 58: k around
Rnd 59: [k2, ssk, k1] 7x, 28 st
Rnd 60: ssk around, 14 st
Rnd 61: k around
Leaving about a 12 in tail, cut yarn. With a tapestry needle thread tail through remaining sts. Turn hat inside out, pull tail to inside closing the circle. Secure ends and weave in.


Brim
With rs facing, beginning on st 69 on the CO edge, pu 18 sts. You will proceed in rows to form a double-layer folded brim.
Rw 1: (ws) purl to end,
Rw 2: (rs) k1, RLI, PM after 3rd st, k to last 2 st, PM, LLI, k1, pu 1 st, 21 sts
Rw 3: p to end, slipping markers, PU 1 st, 22 sts
Rw 4: k to 1 before M, RLI, SM, k to M, SM, LLI, k to end, PU1 st, 25 st
Rw 5: rep rw 3
Repeat last two rws 4x more, for a total of 13 rws. You should have 42 st arranged like this: 14 st, M, 14 st, M 14 st.
Turning row: (rs) p to end.
Rw 1: (ws) BO 1, p to end, 41 st.
Rw 2: BO 1, k to 2 before M, ssk, SM, k to M, SM, k2tog, k to end, 38 st.
Repeat last two rows 5x more for a total of 12 rows after turning row, 18 st. BO.  Fold, meeting BO edge to CO edge. Sew edges together.  Weave in ends.

Crochet button (I simply sewed on an ordinary button)*
1. Make a large loop by placing the yarn tail behind the working yarn. Leave a 6 in tail. Insert the hook through the front of the loop and pull the working yarn through. Ch1, 5 sc into loop. Pull tail to close loop. Sl into 1st sc, and ch 1.
2. Sc into same sc as slipped into. Sc twice into each sc. Sl into 1st sc, and ch 1.
3. Sc into each sc. Sl into 1st sc, and ch 1.
4. Dec rnd: Insert hook into next st, and pull through a loop (2 loops on hook). Insert hook into next st and pull through a loop (3 loops on hook). Yarn over, and pull through all loops. Rep to end of rnd.  Leaving about 12 in, cut yarn and fasten off. Stuff all or some of the 1st tail into center of button. With 2nd tail, sew closed and attach to top of hat.


Finishing
Weave in tails, lightly block brim. Orange sample brim was blocked by covering with a pressing cloth and tapping with a steam iron. Purple sample brim was dampened, finger pressed, and air dried.

Abbreviations
( ) alternate measurements
[ ] repeat instructions in brackets
3/3LC 3/3 left cross cable. Slip next 3 sts to cable needle.  Hold at front. K3, then k3 from cable needle
BO bind off
ch chain
CO cast on
dec decrease
dpn double-pointed needle
in(s) inch(es)
k knit
k2tog knit 2 together, 1 st decreased
LLI left lifted increase, or knit left loop. (1) Knit the stitch on the needle. (2) Insert left needle from the bottom into back of the loop of stitch in 1 row below stitch just worked. Knit through the back loop. 1 st increased.
RLI right lifted increase, or knit right loop. (1) Insert right needle into back loop of stitch below, and knit this stitch. (2) Knit the stitch on the needle. 1 st increased.
M marker
P purl
p2tog purl two together, 1 st decreased
PM place marker
PU pick up stitches
rep repeat
rnd round
rs right side, public side
rw row
sc single crochet
sl slip
SM slip marker
sp2p with yarn in back, slip 1 purlwise, yarn forward, p 2 together, pass slipped st over, 2 sts are decreased
ssk slip 2 sts knitwise, one at a time, insert left needle into both sts and k tog, 1 st is decreased
st(s) stitch, stitches
st st stockinette or straight stitch
x times
ws wrong side

Making Lavender & Tea Tree Salve

I am on a roll this morning, making large batches of arnica salve and lavender & tea tree salve with the lavender essential oil I made back in August.

Lavender is used extensively with herbs and aromatherapy.

English lavender yields an essential oil with sweet overtones, and can be used in balms, salves, perfumes, cosmetics, and topical applications. Dutch lavender yields a similar essential oil, but have a sharper overtone to the fragrance.

According to Wikipedia, "essential oil of lavender has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It was used in hospitals during World War I to disinfect floors and walls. These extracts are also used as fragrances for bath products.

According to folk wisdom, lavender has many uses. Infusions of lavender soothe and heal insect bites and burns. Bunches of lavender repel insects. If applied to the temples, lavender oil soothes headaches. In pillows, lavender seeds and flowers aid sleep and relaxation. An infusion of three flowerheads added to a cup of boiling water soothes and relaxes at bedtime. Lavender oil heals acne when used diluted 1:10 with water, rosewater, or witch hazel; it also treats skin burns and inflammatory conditions.

A recent clinical study investigated anxiolytic effects and influence on sleep quality. Lavender oil with a high percentage of linalool and linalyl acetate, in form of capsules, was generally well tolerated. It showed meaningful efficacy in alleviating anxiety and related sleep disturbances."

Ingredients:

3-4 cups lavender essential oil

10 drops essential tea tree oil

1.5 cups beeswax

Directions:

- Heat the lavender oil and melt beeswax in 2 separate pans.

- Once the beeswax has melted, mix the two together.

- Add tea tree oil and allow sit for several minutes while mixture is heating.

- Pour the mix into tin cans or small glass jars to cool.

Fork Pom Poms

Material Needed:
Fork
Scissors
Yarn

Instructions:

• Cut several strands of your chosen yarn to a manageable length.
• Place one strand through the center prong of the fork.  Don't lose track of this strand since you will use it to tie the center of your pom pom.
• Wrap the yarn around the outer edges of the fork, and continue wrapping yarn in this manner (25-30 times).  Distribute yarn evenly around the circle.  The more you wrap, the fuller your pom pom will be.
• Tie the two ends of your yarn together and slip the circle of yarn off the fork. 
• Leave a trailing end of yarn long enough to hang the pompom with.
• Insert the blade of the scissors through the yarn.
• Cut evenly around the circle until all the yarn has been cut.
• Adjust and fluff the pompom. Trim away any excess yarn.

Thanks to Kristan Lynn  for the tutorial!

Trendy Twine also offers a great tutorial.

Curry-Ginger-Garlic Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

I never really appreciated roasted pumpkin seeds until I became more daring with spices.  I like to throw in a "twist" with each batch.  This batch has 1 tbsp curry, minced garlic (1 clove), 2 tsp minced ginger, ground pepper, Kosher salt, drizzled with 1 tbsp of olive oil.  Place the seed mixture on a baking tray and broil on high (turning every couple of minutes) until golden brown.  They make a great snack and are a good topping for squash soup.

Introducing Feathers

Introducing Feathers, the newest member of our family!

Pumpkins

I love growing pumpkins.  I had no idea how useful they were until we grew a large crop of our own.  I didn't even realize we'd planted pumpkins until the squash plants grew so large they overtook the garden.  They grew through the fences - I was surprised to see that the deer didn't munch on them.  We feasted on the flowers for a while.  In the fall, we harvested several wheelbarrows filled with gorgeous, large, bright orange pumpkins.  We were suddenly perplexed with what to do with all of them.

Here are several ways to put our pumpkins to good use:

• Use the yellow flowers in salads, stuffed, sauteed or baked
• Roast the seeds for a snack
• Use scraps for feed for animals
• Make a festive fall colored pot of soup
• In colonial times, Native Americans roasted long strips of pumpkin in an open fire.
• Colonists sliced off pumpkin tops; removed seeds and filled the insides with milk, spices and honey. This was baked in hot ashes and is the origin of pumpkin pie.
• Native Americans flattened strips of pumpkins, dried them and made mats.
• Make a honey pumpkin exfoliating mask
• Hollow out little pumpkins to use for (pumpkin) soup bowls
• Stuff and bake your small pumpkins - enjoy everything down to the skin!
• Make a devine pumpkin body butter
• Make a savory pumpkin pie or a delicious pumpkin cheesecake!
• Make pumpkin biscuits, bread, muffins, cake and more
• Create your own pumpkin pie potpourri
• Carve a jack-o-lantern

Roasted pumpkins for freezing

Wild Rose Hip and Orange Tea

The wild rose hips are huge this year with all of the rain we've had (a lot for this dry part of the North Cascades).  They're bright orange and red, with ample meat enveloping their seed-filled center.  The meat (the rind) is filled with vitamin-C.  I harvest the hips, laboriously peal off the rind to dehydrate with slices of orange.  We use this dried blend as a throat soothing tea.  It's delicious with a dab of honey.

Making Smudge Sticks

Smudge sticks are used in traditional Native American ceremonies to purify people and places. There are similar ceremonies in many cultures where herbs are burned for cleansing. Smudging can be used to counteract depression, anger or bitterness. If you would like to try smudging, it is very easy to make your own sage smudge sticks.  They smell wonderful.

Materials Needed:

Western or desert sage
Garden clippers
Sturdy (cotton) string

Directions:
- Cut the sage branches into 7 to 10 inch lengths
- Snip a piece of string 2 1/2 times the length of the cut sage branches.
- Hold a bundle (1/2" thick) of branches together with the tips pointing down. Begin wrapping the string tightly around the base of the branches.

- Wrap firmly, working your way to the tips of the branches. When you reach the tips, switch directions and begin working your way back up to the base of the sage branches. Tie the two ends of the string together when you reach the base.
- Trim the edges neatly.

- Dry your sage smudge sticks in a flat basket or on a screen for a week.

Urine Is A Top-Rate Fertilizer

"One person's yearly output contains enough nutrients to fertilize up to a tenth of an acre of fruits and veggies."  Josh Harkinson writes in Mother Jones that urine is a top-rate fertilizer.

I found this article by Root Simple and simply had to share.  Ever since I heard that the Chinese utilize human urine to add nitrogen to their garden soil I have told Cymone that it's ok for her to pee on the compost pile instead of rush all the way inside when  struck by a sudden emergency.  The following article backs me up!  For more information about using urine as a fertilizer, check out Liquid Gold.

"Urine offers a free and readily available (at least after a night of beer drinking) alternative to organic nitrogen fertilizers such as blood meal. We've got a perpetual nitrogen deficiency in our vegetable beds and I hate buying industrial ag sourced items like blood meal. Urine is a great alternative.

To use urine in the garden you've got to dilute it with water, at least ten to one. Straight urine will burn your plants. Thankfully we don't worry about our sauerkraut taking on a urine flavor:

Use of Human Urine Fertilizer in Cultivation of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)––Impacts on Chemical, Microbial, and Flavor Quality by Surendra K. Pradhan, Anne-Marja Nerg, Annalena Sjöblom, Jarmo K. Holopainen and Helvi Heinonen-Tanski

Human urine was used as a fertilizer in cabbage cultivation and compared with industrial fertilizer and nonfertilizer treatments. Urine achieved equal fertilizer value to industrial fertilizer when both were used at a dose of 180 kg N/ha. Growth, biomass, and levels of chloride were slightly higher in urine-fertilized cabbage than with industrial-fertilized cabbage but clearly differed from nonfertilized. Insect damage was lower in urine-fertilized than in industrial-fertilized plots but more extensive than in nonfertilized plots. Microbiological quality of urine-fertilized cabbage and sauerkraut made from the cabbage was similar to that in the other fertilized cabbages. Furthermore, the level of glucosinolates and the taste of sauerkrauts were similar in cabbages from all three fertilization treatments. Our results show that human urine could be used as a fertilizer for cabbage and does not pose any significant hygienic threats or leave any distinctive flavor in food products.

As the study above noted, too much nitrogen (from any source) can cause pest outbreaks. And we do need to be judicious in our urine application in alkaline soils such as here in Los Angeles as urine has a high pH:

From Human urine - Chemical composition and fertilizer use efficiency by H. Kirchmann and S. Pettersson:

Stored human urine had pH values of 8.9 and was composed of eight main ionic species (> 0.1 meq L^–1), the cations Na, K, NH₄, Ca and the anions, Cl, SO₄, PO₄ and HCO₃. Nitrogen was mainly (> 90%) present as ammoniacal N, with ammonium bicarbonate being the dominant compound. Urea and urate decomposed during storage. Heavy metal concentrations in urine samples were low compared with other organic fertilizers, but copper, mercury, nickel and zinc were 10–500 times higher in urine than in precipitation and surface waters. In a pot experiment with¹⁵N labelled human urine, higher gaseous losses and lower crop uptake (barley) of urine N than of labelled ammonium nitrate were found. Phosphorus present in urine was utilized at a higher rate than soluble phosphate, showing that urine P is at least as available to crops as soluble P fertilizers.

With some common sense urine application (i.e. not too much), it clearly makes a good fertilizer:

Stored Human Urine Supplemented with Wood Ash as Fertilizer in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Cultivation and Its Impacts on Fruit Yield and Quality by Surendra K. Pradhan, Jarmo K. Holopainen and Helvi Heinonen-Tanski:

This study evaluates the use of human urine and wood ash as fertilizers for tomato cultivation in a greenhouse. Tomatoes were cultivated in pots and treated with 135 kg of N/ha applied as mineral fertilizer, urine + ash, urine only, and control (no fertilization). The urine fertilized plants produced equal amounts of tomato fruits as mineral fertilized plants and 4.2 times more fruits than nonfertilized plants. The levels of lycopene were similar in tomato fruits from all fertilization treatments, but the amount of soluble sugars was lower and Cl− was higher in urine + ash fertilized tomato fruits. The β-carotene content was greater and the NO3− content was lower in urine fertilized tomato fruits. No enteric indicator microorganisms were detected in any tomato fruits. The results suggest that urine with/without wood ash can be used as a substitute for mineral fertilizer to increase the yields of tomato without posing any microbial or chemical risks.

So go forth and pee (and dilute!). You can also, of course, just pee on the compost pile."