Author: Allyson

  • Prepping – Leggy Seedlings

    Prepping – Leggy Seedlings

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    Allyson
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    See those seedlings hardening off in the header image? Those are from a garden I was growing about a decade ago. They’re strong, healthy seedlings. They’re ready to be set into the ground to thrive and grow and make veggies for us. And then there’s this specimen: See how it’s falling over, and it only…

  • The Great Flip, V2.0

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    Allyson
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    Not so much “behind enemy lines” today, as a mental dump. There is a belief that the Republican and Democratic parties did an ideological flip around 1932 (with FDR). Some people claim it’s a fact, and others are less sure about that. Regardless, we know that Lyndon B. Johnson said his famous line in 1964:…

  • The Weekly Feast – American Goulash

    The Weekly Feast – American Goulash

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    Allyson
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    Sometimes known as American Chop Suey (no idea why), this dish has been served in American homes since the mid 1800s. It’s usually a macaroni based ground beef dish. This week, I made Orecchiette pasta with Chris last night, and we enjoyed it in my American Goulash. This is my own recipe, and I recommend…

  • Miracle Gro

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    Allyson
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    BLUF: Miracle Gro is basically minerals salts and coloring, which can (but doesn’t always) help short term, but long term will destroy the beneficial things in your soil. It’s expensive and messy and can harm your vegetables. Free and low cost alternatives include animal manure, natural mulch, etc… all of which add to rather than…

  • Prepping – Keeping out the Neighbors

    Prepping – Keeping out the Neighbors

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    Allyson
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    You can take that title however you like. When I first wrote it, I was thinking of the four legged kind of beastie that sneaks in and eats your broccoli while you’re sleeping. However, if we’re talking prepping, there’s a legitimate chance that the critter in your garden is two legged and armed. So let’s…

  • FBEL – The Auto-Pen

    FBEL – The Auto-Pen

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    Allyson
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    I’ve had a couple of talks with Chris about the magic auto-pen. It has a history dating back almost a century (yes, WAY back in the NINETEENTH CENTURY! gah, I feel old…), and has been used by many Presidents over that time. Feel free to read up on it if you want to learn more…

  • The Weekly Feast – A Springtime Feast in 1750

    The Weekly Feast – A Springtime Feast in 1750

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    Allyson
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    I’m at the Fort this weekend (if you’re in the area, come on over and visit!), presenting life in the early spring in a cold environment. I’ll be staying all weekend, with no running water (it’s turned off until all danger of frost is gone) and little electricity (the gift shop has some). I decided…

  • Prepping – Prepping Outdoor Beds for Sowing

    Prepping – Prepping Outdoor Beds for Sowing

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    Allyson
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    I’m watching the snow melt outside. It’s SLOWER than watching paint dry. Ah well. It’ll be gone soon, and then I can get to work on outdoor stuff. For now, it’s time to plan the outdoor garden space, and decide which things are getting direct sowed. In other words, which things go right into the…

  • FBEL: Balancing the Humors

    FBEL: Balancing the Humors

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    Allyson
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    I’m going through some personal stuff right now, and it’s been rough. Some of the responses I’ve gotten to my last few posts have left me feeling raw and frustrated, and unsure of what to do and say going forward. After some long talks with Chris and others, I’m writing this to try and get…

  • Prepping – Indoor Seed Sowing

    Prepping – Indoor Seed Sowing

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    Allyson
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    If you live in any of the Plant Hardiness Zones that are 1a through 6b, then you need to know how to start your seedlings indoors. This is something that can be a lot of fun, but it’s a lot of work as well. Doing it right takes effort and time. The end results are…