Well well well

Yup, new blog back ground and other jazz. I just thought I would let you guys know about it, I'm assuming most will like it.

NC finally got some snow! 3+ inches of it! According to the persimmon seed folklore we will get lots of snow (its been right so far, we will see).

I was able to clean up my garden with my younger siblings. Mulched everywhere that didn't have cover crops.

Anyway, having a fun time with my older brother home, great Christmas, many presents.



English Vintner

Christmas Photos

I meant to post these with the last post, sorry, they would of made it better. Here they are, enjoy.








English Vintner

Christmas

It has been a while, not that I haven't had the time, I've just forgotten about my blog. Been going on in life without writing it. I've been busy with work, since my brother was in Switzerland. I haven't had much time for school, though I am hoping to get down on chemistry, and some math.

I turned 17 yesterday. Had to work, but got some stuff from the Blue Box Specials place, 2.5 gallons of yogurt, coffee creamer, 7 gallons of milk, 6 gallons of juice, and some other odds and ends. I also made some Farmhouse Cheddar, it is drying right now. I am hoping it turns out well, though, if not the cost was not much.

We got a Christmas tree. Most years we cut down a cedar. My older brother Josiah likes a 'real' Christmas tree. So, he went to Lowes and got a $30 dollar one. Last night we made cookies. We got out our fire place (from a wine display), a high quality image of a fire, surrounded with real looking fireplace mantle and sides. Quite charming without being the real deal.

It got down to 11ºF last night and is suppose to make a record tonight, not since 1960s something has it gotten this cold. Right now they are forecasting for snow and ice on Thursday, I'm hoping for some, though I don't want the roads bad enough that my brother can't make it back from collage.

I just started my SEA-CROP experiment, 12 pots, half with sea crop, 3 different veggies, radishes, beets, and leaf lettuce. The Science Fair is sometime in January, around the 20th, I'm hoping I will have had most good growth by then.

I bottled some hard cider, hoping it will be good by Christmas. I will be celebrating my birthday on the 21st. Christmas week work will be light, we only get Saturday off, but we should be able to make Friday almost nothing, won't even drive the truck, just the car.

Anyway. Haven't done much planning recently for the garden, but I have been doing reading, read Ancient Mysteries Modern Visions. Good book. I'm going through a book written about a lot of what Viktor Shauberger wrote about. Water, nature, and energy. He had a 'free' energy design from the sea, using the ocean, kinda like a wind mill, using the rising action of the oxygenated water from deep in the ocean rising to the top and giving off o2. But, he also had a device using hydro power, that is 90% more efficient, gets 90% more power for it. I read about composting methods, thinking more about cold composts, that encourage earth worms. You won't really find a hot compost pile in nature, it is slow, cool, and wormy. He is real big on the egg shape. Talks about 'living' water, vortexes and such. If you drink enough distilled water you will die. Distilled water is attracted to minerals and nutrients, so it sticks to them and takes them out of your body, depleting your body of them.


English Vintner

Thanksgiving

Well, we had a wonderful time last week. Sunday evening I left with my brother Isaiah to go to Chattanooga where my Uncle Tim and his family live (Jether). We got in around 1am, went to bed. The ride to it was enjoyable. I got to talk about things I had been researching with my brother, talk about weird phenomenons and get his take on a lot of them. It is always good to get a 3D look on things, asking a friend or someone about it. You don't always see every angle from your perspective.

Monday morning Jether showed me his garden, and then we went to the Holly's, friends of theirs who have two milking cows. We got three pickup loads of cow manure. Fairly wet recent stuff, not very composted. We piled it in layers at the shed with sawdust in between. It made a big pile. 12ft by 8ft, maybe not quite that big, but several tons. By Spring, maybe late spring it should be good compost to spread on the garden.

Later in the day Jether showed me how to feed the rabbits and chickens and what they get. I finally got to see my cousin in laws trailer, the inside.

Tuesday my cousins had left, I fed the chickens and rabbits, brought back eggs. I made the filling for pumpkin pie and my Grandma made blueberry something. We had hamburgers for supper, and I fed the rabbits and chickens. Wednesday morning I woke up at 6am. Fed the chickens and rabbits, collected an egg, got a dumpster-dived frozen rotisserie chicken for Bear, the dog. Came back to the house, ate breakfast. By 7:28am we were leaving for Uncle Dan's. It took a little less than 2 hours to get to his house.

Now I will skip a few details. I played Pretty Pretty Princess with my 4 year old cousin, and had a tea party with her. My family arrived later in the day, around 4 pm. We heard that Uncle Scott and Uncle Bill were not coming that night after all. We were dismayed. Soon after supper (pizza) they arrived with many shouts of joy and gladness. They brought nuts, wine, sparkling juice, korean persimmons, and lots of fun!

I mixed up Sticky Bun dough around 6pm. Around 9pm I rolled it out. The yeast was pretty slow rising compared to ours, but it seemed to work. Around 10pm Uncle Scott, Uncle Bill, Isaiah and Josiah left to go to Uncle Scotts, about 55 minutes away. I slept on the couch in the living room (VERY comfortable, more so than I imagined). Around 4am I woke up (away from home etc, you know) and put the sticky buns on the counter to bring to room temp. At 6am my alarm went off (the Black Gate RotK). I put the sticky buns in at around 175F. About 7:30am I finally heated it up to baking at 350F.

We had an enjoyable breakfast of hot sticky buns and freshly roasted coffee. (Uncle Dan is the one who got me into roasting my own coffee) Uncle Scott and the rest arrived around 11am, we had saved them a few sticky buns. Around 11 I started rolls for Thanksgiving. For lunch we had vegetables, cheese (irish stout, irish whiskey cheese!), crackers and a little wine. By 1pm we were getting things starting cooking, like sweet potatoes and other dishes. We had a family coming that arrived around 4:30pm. We ended up eating Thanksgiving around 5:45pm, later than we have ever done it in the past. Usually we aim for around 1pm to 3pm. Basically so the kids can eat a light lunch and the older ones can hold off till the meal.

Thanksgiving meal was excellent. Sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, rolls, gravy, turkey, ham, vegetables, cranberry sauce, and other side dishes. We had some Merlot, Cabernet, Shiraz, Muscat, Concord, Fig Port, and Sparkling grape juice, and still cider. We had a great time. After the meal some people went to watch football (never quite understood that part of Thanksgiving, but...), and we watched movies that my grandfather took of my dad and his brothers growing up in Korea.

Thursday night we played a round of rook, Uncle Dan came up top. Around 10pm we, Londa, I, Josiah, Isaiah went with Uncle Scott and Uncle Bill. We enjoyed hanging out with Uncle Scott at his place in the morning. Around 11 we headed to the movie theater to watch Tangled. We arrived early so we went to Home Depot to pick up an electrical outlet cover for Uncle Scott. Tangled was very good. I really enjoyed it. Uncle Scott bought some popcorn and 1 free refill. We got 2 free refills. : )

We got back to Uncle Dan's around 3:15, Uncle Dan made some coffee, and Uncle Bill changed the oil in his car. That night we had devotions, talking about things we were thankful for, and then praying. After that we had some more rook games. Late that evening, around 11pm Uncle Scott and Uncle Bill left. Before they did so we went out to say good bye and all. The rest went in, but while Uncle Scott was getting in the car Uncle Bill turned on Taio Cruz - Dynamite, and started dancing to it. It was an awesome 10 seconds! Music blasting us all moving around!

Saturday morning we packed up, said good byes. And headed over to our cousins house, our grandparents live in the basement, and that is where we stayed. I did the rabbits and chickens. After supper Josiah, Isaiah and I played Catan. Sunday we left to go to the OPC in Atlanta, where our friend Scott Willet and his family are. Scott Willet was our pastor from 94-99.

Sunday afternoon after eating with them we left and came home. Today I worked for 11 hours, got tons of stuff from the trash, and went to our choir concert (performed).

I work again tomorrow, but hey, its TUESDAY!!!! I LOVE tuesday, Josiah has set a passion in me for Tuesday's, I love them because he made me love them. My dad and I are planning on watching the third Bourne (he hasen't seen it yet).

Well, I should go now. A LONG post! : )


English Vintner

Frost

We've had frost quite a lot. Starting last Saturday evening we got our first. Sunday our second. Last night our third or fourth, depending on who's counting.

I got my tomatoes, most of them in before the frost. About 80-90pounds total. The vines are dead, the garden is silent.

I would have done more this week except I got struck down with the flu/cold.

Plans to clean it up are for next week, and December. My mom wants me to get around our property looking a little better before we get chickens.

I finally ordered SEA-CROP. I am going to be doing a science experiment with it.

I ordered a book by Philip S. Callahan. I was reading some of the pages from the Look inside section on Amazon. It looks very good. At the end he tells you how to make miniature towers to test out paramagnetism. I can't wait to read it. I also ordered the presents for my brothers birthday.

Well, I guess I will go now.

English Vintner

Winter Squash

Went to see the sunrise this morning, climbed the pine tree, saw the cars race by, heard the dog bark in the distance, felt the cool wind rushing over my face. Sipping my coffee I felt relief from the cold. I had brewed it strong. More so than I meant too. I used about 6 ounces for enough for a 10 oz cup of strong coffee. Probably could have been cut in half for most people. It was good strong though. Nothing like some fresh roasted coffee, brewed strong. Light crept over the two hills in front of me. At quarter past seven by my guess I clambered down and went south. Creeping along the edge of the woods and highway. I was exploring where I wanted to plant the winter squash. I measured the one area that I want to do a lot. It is 9ft by 50ft, at the edges a few trees. I kept going, quite a few pine trees and low lying brush where I was going. I kept down so that the cars would not see me. At one point I saw a police car go by, I didn't want to talk to an officer or passerby so I kept low. I found quite a few other spots, long stretches where I could put winter squash.

While I relish the idea of all this winter squash I have to keep in mind that for every one winter squash it means one posthole 2ft deep, filled with manure or compost and soaked with 2 gallons of water. I hope to employ, or is it implore my younger siblings to carry the water and compost. I am saving a lot of butternut squash seeds, so I won't have to buy any of those seeds. I will probably plant exclusively butternut squash along the highway, and do any other squash in my garden beds. I'll probably do a few pumpkins in my garden beds. And do some above my garden.

I spent an hour in the woods, talking to God and exploring the forest. I found quite a few good stretches of clear area. I don't what would grow well in full shade and tolerate deer. Any ideas?

Cheers!
English Vintner

Cover Crops

I am writing stuff on videojug pages. It is a web based site that has information on a whole range of subjects. I am posting stuff, especially this month, because they are giving out prizes this month. So, to read about cover crops go to this website.

http://pages.videojug.com/revisions/7de004bf-d3a6-4a37-81ca-69ef5b4ee394

English Vintner

SEA-CROP

Well, I know quite a few people who are gardeners. And I wanted to share some of my knowledge that I have learned. And probably the least weird is SEA-CROP. Easy to explain, and makes sense. Not some magnetic trap or something. : ) So, I wrote this, it fits on one page, and my plan is to have a dozen or so on hand and give out to people who stop by or I can take it to them. I really want to get the word out about SEA-CROP, see the difference it will make in plants and animals. So, here it is. Fully edited version, oh and don't think this is of my originality, most of this I just copied off the SEA-CROP website, so, I'm not claiming to be the true author, I just want people to know about it.

SEA-CROP
SEA-CROP is one of the best things on the market for amending your soil. No, it’s not a fertilizer, but it sure helps your plants! It is inexpensive and all natural.

What is SEA-CROP?
SEA-CROP is a balanced formula from ocean water that has all the natural elements known to man. It develops healthy and energetic plants.

Do I need to apply SEA-CROP often?
No, one application per year for soil is all that is needed for annual plants although a split application or multiple applications may give enhanced results for some crops. Some plants under stress can benefit from an application of it. Also, foliar use requires multiple applications.

Does SEA-CROP stimulate the plant to produce more growth?
SEA-CROP stimulates the soil environment so the plant will grow healthier and reach its genetic potential, not just provide extra growth.

Can SEA-CROP be used for animals?
Yes, SEA-CROP has been approved as meeting the FDA requirements for use as a mineral supplement in animal nutrition. The recommended rate is .04 milliliters per kilogram of body weight per day added to the drinking water.

Benefits of SEA-CROP
1.Increases soil microflora
a.Nitrogen fixing and other bacteria.
b.Phosphorous leaching and other fungi.
2.Improves soil tilth and aeration.
3.Makes plants healthier, more disease and insect resistant.
4.Makes plants more drought and transplant tolerant.
5.Fruits become larger and much better tasting.
6.Keeping quality is enhanced.
7.Mineral and vitamin content is increased.
8.Growing cycle shortened by weeks.
9Crop yields are increased 15% to 35%
10Product is organic.

In full, SEA-CROP is something that every farmer needs to be using, whether it is the home gardener or a full scale conventional farmer. What farmer doesn’t want an increase of yields using less fertilizer? For more information on SEA-CROP, buying it, and testimonials, a link is provided at the bottom of page.

http://www.sea-crop.com/index.html


English Vintner

A little bit of gardening

Got in a little bit of gardening. Harvested the sweet potatoes. Haha! : ) 3-4 pounds! : ) Not much of a harvest, mostly because I didn't get them planted till July 1st. While that is close to 4 months, they really needed longer than what they got. Next year. I dug up some of the roots that had not done much and potted them. The plan is to grow them inside until early spring, than cut them into slips, and put in water or soil (still in side). Than, April and May set them out. I am hoping next year to do about 250+ square feet of sweet potatoes. Speaking of potatoes hopefully at least that many sq ft of potatoes. Maybe closer to 4-5 hundred.

I cut the wheat down and harvested all the heads that were ripe, all but one. So, that is drying in the garage, sometime this winter I will thresh it and save the seed for spring sowing. I cut down the wheat to about 6 inches. Just to cut it down so that it doesn't shade the lettuce I planted in it. Also, it will grow out again a little before it gets killed by the frost, I think this stuff will get killed by the frost, maybe it is winter hardy. I transplanted about a dozen lettuce heads into the wheat.

I brought down a cold frame, put it over lettuce and put a window over it. It is not air tight, the window doesn't quite fit over it. But it should provide shelter for anything over 28ºF at least. Plus, it will have the greenhouse affect, warming it up during the day.

I cleared out some of the beans. Picked all the dry ones, will shell them when I get around to the wheat. I than dug it over a spade deep to loosen it. It is nice sandy soil so it didn't need much. I humped it some to make a row. I then planted 13 shallots. I found a bag downstairs. My dibble came in quite handy! I love that thing! : )

After planting them I marked the row with sticks and mulched about 4" thick with straw. The rest of the plots I will probably plant with onion seeds this spring. If you hadn't heard or couldn't tell. I'm planting all the onion family members up by the fence to keep the deer detered. Leeks, garlic, onions, shallots.

I am curing the sweet potatoes in my winery right now. I brought in a basil plant also along with the sweet potatoes.

Well, I'd better go. One of these days, probably early November I plan on camping out in the garden and staying out in it from that evening till supper the next day. Working out in the garden, keeping a fire going, and eating breakfast and lunch out in it. I think I could get it all cleaned up and most everything done in one full day of work.

English Vintner

Well, I'm Back

To quote Sam Gamgee, from the most amazing fantasy books I have ever read. So in depth, bringing you INTO the story, carrying you along from Hobbiton to Mordor. Carrying your emotions along with the characters from laughing at the Prancing Pony, to crying while the ring bearers board the ship to carry them into the west. The books are ones I will read over, though, in some way I will regret every time I get to the end of them. That feeling, when what you did is over, and all you have is the memory. I liken it to drugs. In the middle of the book, everything is fine, sad or happy you still have half the book before the end, lots of things can happen, you enjoy where the story is taking you. But, in the end when the Fellowship has parted?! To never meet again? Frodo leaves the Shire because he has sacrificed SO much on the journey that he no longer finds peace at HIS home!? Frodo suffered so much for everyone else, and even in his home town the others do not recognize him, they instead praise his friends, Merry, Pippin, and Sam. Why is it that the one who has done the most, is often never known? Heroes from the Wars? Actions never remembered.


Anyway, back to Gardening, or something. My garlic, seems to be growing a little too fast. I haven't checked it yet, but on Saturday it was 6 inches tall. They say it can be nipped back by the frost once without harm to the yield of the crop, twice and you have a reduced amount. So, I'm hoping it either gets nipped, or it will overwinter being short enough. Any how, I need cool weather to stop the growth of it. Saturday I got some straw bales from our Church Bazaar. 3 bales for $10. Plus, the money went to Lois Lodge, a place where young women who are pregnant and want to keep the baby to full term can stay. So, it was a good cause. I mulched the garlic with the straw, also the shallots, and a little bit on the leeks. I got one bed prepared for Jerusalem Artichokes, and planted 8-10 tubers in it, mulched with straw. So, I guess the rest of the tubers we will eat. I am hoping to give some to my cousin. My brother, who is off nightshades has been eating them instead of potatoes and enjoying them. So I am very happy to have planted them. You know, for most things in the garden, it takes months to get to the harvest. Planning is all in advance (most of the time).

I was encouraged by someone in our church who has chickens to not wait until spring, get them out of season, on craigs list. I found one place, about an hour away that has the kind I want...I'll see, I would like to get them this winter if possible. I slept on the idea for a chicken tractor/coop. I didn't get any actual ideas in a dream or anything, but it was good to sleep on it. I have a few more ideas after reading what John Seymour has to say on chickens in Self Sufficient Gardening. I am definitely trying to keep everything light. That is the main thing. I'm looking at using pvc hoops and cover them with chicken wire.

I have so much to do right now. School. Garden. I can't wait until after Thanksgiving, when everything (at least school wise) slows down. I don't have anything outside of the home to do. So I can focus on preparing the garden more. Working on a few things, pyramids and water traps etc.

It is amazing how fast life will go by. What is there to look forward to? Really, the only thing to look forward to is another life, another life with Jesus! Life, eternity with Jesus! And to think, so many who deny the Word here on earth, who deny Jesus is Lord until death. They just don't see it do they? It makes you realize how thankful you are that He picked you. Why? For nothing in you. Aside from Christ you were JUST like that non christian standing over there. Reminds me of my favorite hymn, How Sweet and Awesome (awful in some old versions) is the Place. I cannot fathom eternity without Christ. Eternity. That is a big word. Too big to grasp what it means. I am so thankful that God saved this wretched sinner!

Cheers!
English Vintner