Here in Northern Minnesota, the first snow of the year seldom melts. But we’re thankful that ours has and today it’s already 41 degrees F, plus sunshine! I’m so glad. As usual, I’m late planting a few things. I still have some garlic that my friend, Sherri, gave us, plus the black walnuts off of our tree that we are going to plant on the south side of the woods in the Wolf Pasture. Tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer than today, with sun, so that’s the day we’ll be planting. I’ve got to wait till the ground thaws out, as it’s frozen right now.
I baked half of a Porcupine squash yesterday and boy oh boy do we love it! It’s velvety, thick meat is so sweet and savory we could hardly stop eating. Matt, Mike, and Dara agreed! We’ll keep growing this one for sure. It’s also very heavy, with the thickest ever meat. Wow!
A few days ago, I was on Facebook Marketplace and found a whole case of chopped green, fire roasted, chiles in 24 oz. containers, for sale for $15. In Cloquet, which is an hour and fifteen minutes south of us. But my daughter-in-law, Kelly Jo, works there and was only a couple of blocks away from the seller. She agreed to pick them up for me, which she did. I told Bill and Kelly to keep whatever they wanted. David was down there last weekend, deer hunting, and he brought them up to us. I gave several to our friends, Matt, and Dara and Mike. I still have many pounds left, which I’ll be starting to can up in half-pints and quarter-pint jars. (Sometimes you just need a little bit of chiles for a recipe, and I don’t want to waste any.) When you re-can foods like this, you process them for the exact same time and pressure as if they were fresh. I can’t wait. It’ll be quick and easy, and the only ingredients are chiles, salt, and lime juice. So very nice.
I guess this week is Mexican week as I seeded out Anaheim peppers I’d gotten from Lynn and Jesse, the folks who will take over the seed business next August. They were such nice peppers. I decided to chop them up and can them in Cowboy Candy syrup, which I did. Boy, they look so wonderful! I can’t wait to try them in a couple of weeks — maybe for Thanksgiving.
Our big Angel Trumpet is blooming like crazy today. We keep it in the south window of our living room, and it sure likes it there. As there’s a crawl space under the new addition, I put it on a piece of thick insulation foam board to keep its “feet” warm, which it appreciates.
Today I’m washing dishes that haven’t gotten washed lately and will put the kind of limp carrots in ice water, in the sink, when I finish. When they firm up, I’ll get them canned. Gee, then there’s Amish Coleslaw, Gaucho Relish (from the Sugar Rush Peach peppers in the basket in the entryway), and some more beef to make more room in our stuffed freezers. Whew, what a great feeling!
The Northern Lights have been awesome lately. I finally discovered that I could actually take night pictures with my cell phone, which is David’s years’ old phone. It was so much fun taking pictures of those beautiful ribbons of color in the night sky. We love living here so much!
— Jackie
I have read posts and comments in this blog and have a question about the ginger that’s in several of the posts. For keeping ginger indoors in the winter, would it be okay to plant it now? If so, planting instructions please. Thank you so much.
We had northern lights as far south as Spokane Washington here and it was surprising how much they change and dance! I am glad that your seed business load will be lighter for you. It has impacted many a gardener and you have done lots of hard work that is appreciated by all. I still am amazed that I can grow a Hopi southwestern squash in the far northwest corner of this nation!… and have it for thanksgiving 😊
We even grew Hopi Pale Grey squash in the mountains of Montana, where we once had snow on the Fourth of July!
It’s kind of strange, as we seed out squash and shell corn, to realize this is our last year of doing Seed Treasures. The new catalog is at the printer and will be out soon. I hope everyone understands that because we are transferring the business to Lynn and Jesse, we aren’t “dumping” it, as it’s become like one of our children.
Miss Jackie…I am sure it will feel strange for you to not have the seed catalog any more but Lynn and Jesse look like such a nice couple and there are so many offerings in the catalog that I’m sure your readers will continue to buy from them. We are all just very grateful that you and Will started the business. Thank you!!! Pyro
Aww, Pyro, that’s so nice. Our new (and last) catalog is at the printer right now and it sure feels weird that it’s our last catalog. I’m sure they will put out a new version in 2027 with lots of great new and old varieties.
How did you cut that beautiful porcupine squash?
Those peppers you canned look so beautiful and delicious! I don’t think I’ve ever seen red Anaheim peppers. Mine barely make a decent size when green before the cold rains come.
Boy, I am truly amazed at your stunning northern lights! I could just stare at those for hours. It would be so exciting to see them in person.
I was shocked to read someone else is taking over the seed business! I missed that info! I sure understand padding the torch because it must be an incredible amount of work. I sure have enjoyed trying your seeds.
Thank you so much for creating “Seed Treasures”
We got smart and started using the DeWalt battery operated reciprocating saw. I was afraid I’d end up eviscerating myself with a knife as I had been cutting many dozen squash open during one season. The saw works fast and is much safer.
Yep, it’s just getting to be too much for Will and I, especially when my darned knee replacements didn’t heal up pain free. The business has grown way beyond our dreams, and we do love it so. But we’re realistic too and don’t want to do a half-way job with it all. We have one more season of selling seeds then we’ll be passing the business on to Lynn and Jesse, who will continue to grow it and we can just ease back and grow seeds for them.
Reciprocating saw! Brilliant! In light of that I just may have to get some seeds and grow that beautiful squash.
I’m so glad you can take one thing off your shoulders, but I’m sure going to miss you in the seed business.
You are SO busy! You said’ can year round! Where do you go for ginger ( seed or plants) I love dehydrated ,candied and teas! Store ginger is terrible. You remind me of a squirrel :), checking every opportunity for restocking your pantry. I too try to keep my eyes out for deals. Feeling like the time is approaching to fast when no one will be able to find so many items needed. But today the sun is shining- mostly- in for a dry spell. Not very long. But hung an optimistic laud of towels n sheets to dry today. So enjoy your share of living! Bless you!
I bought my first ginger from a health food store and planted some in a pot. It was good and if I baby that pot, I can get enough for us and still leave some to grow.
Yep, I remind myself of a squirrel! But a happy squirrel, at that.
Boy, don’t those sheets and towels, hung outside, smell so good? No fabric softener ever can come close.
There have been times when just getting food at the store didn’t happen for one reason or another. We try to have a store in our basement instead of worrying because we can’t get this or that (or the price is outrageous!).
Hi Jackie, a couple of years ago. I bought a few of your books for our local library from you.
The other day I walked into an autumn display and right in front was your book Autumn of the Loons!!
Wow! Thank you so much Irma. That’s so nice of you. I hope everyone enjoys the book. And wants to follow Jess Hazzard into the next ones in the series.
Hurry and write another book!!
(like you have nothing else to do!!)
Irma
We had record breaking cold Monday and Tuesday mornings. Might even set records for November. It NEVER gets that cold this early. Hope that doesn’t indicate a record cold winter. Not ready for that after no frost at all last year. My ginger went dormant overnight. Time to dig it up and give it away.
It looks like that cold went way far south. It’s nearly shocking to see that. Have you ever candied ginger? That’s very good! So is dehydrated slices, which you can grind up and have powdered ginger for recipes. The only way I grow ginger is in pots, indoors in the winter, outside in the summer.
Not fond of candied ginger. I just throw a few in the freezer and grate it frozen as needed. The rest I give away.
lol.. the chiles express to your house.
We’re going to be in the high 60s the next couple of days (yeah, our snow is gone too). Will get some last outside chores done on Saturday. No more planting for us, garlic is in. Transplanted another tree – trees need thinning on our lots we’re restoring. Today’s tree was growing far too close to an existing larger tree – likely would not survive long term. You have to do some “forest” management IMHO. We have an area designated for the walnut trees.
Not very good viewing for Northern lights from our place. To start, we have to hike out to the road or across the street.
Gee, that’s too bad. I can just step out the front door and there they are! Sometimes we see them when driving home from town shopping too. They are amazing!!
Today is warm and sunny. I readied my old stock tank, where I will be planting the cloves. Well, some of them anyway. I’ve also got carrots soaking in ice water in the sink to can up this afternoon. They aren’t great, but they are carrots.