Screw The Tomatoes...Let's Talk About Tofu

This time of year, it's pretty much impossible not to notice the overwhelming amount of information about tomatoes. Yeah, they're in season... nothing beats a garden fresh tomato... how to can... how to store... how to ripen... the best heirloom variety... what to do with the insane amount of tomatoes you have sitting inside your refrigerator... blah, blah, blah. Everyone is talking about them, blogging about them, and reading about them. ENOUGH with the tomatoes!!
Back in May of 2007, I took a tofu-making class through Champlain Valley Union High School Access program. (If you're not aware of this program, you should check it out. They offer a little bit of everything.) Well, after an exhaustive search trying to find Nigari (a thickening agent used to make tofu), I pretty much came to the conclusion that it is unavailable in Vermont. I even tried to special order it through several local stores, which either never called me back to inform me whether they could get it, or if they did get it, I never heard about it. ANYWAY, I ordered it online, and finally got around to making a batch of my own. It turned out to be totally delicious. If you have never had homemade or artisan tofu, there is nothing that could compare. You absolutely must try it. It is even delicious raw. Yes, raw. While I love Soy Boy, I don't see myself pulling out a raw block of it and gnawing on it. In fact, the thought of it is kind of nauseating. But, the homemade... mmmmm!! So, move over tomatoes... the tofu may just start taking over the fridge.

September Garden Chores...(think Spring!!)

As many of the perennials in my garden are winding down for the season, I have found pleasure in choosing my spring bulbs, and planning on just where to plant them. This year I chose: three varieties of allium (schubertii, atropurpureum, and purple sensation), two varieties of tulips (black parrot, and the fringed blue heron), and a flaming yellow foxtail lily. I am so looking forward to seeing them in the spring. One aspect of gardening that I have a very difficult time with: patience. If anyone has some extra, please send it my way.

In my bulb-planting research, I have found that it is beneficial at the time of planting to add some bulb-booster (fertilizer) which also contains some crushed shells which will help (hopefully!) in protecting them from hungry critters. This is my first spring-bulb planting experience, so we'll see how it goes. If anyone has any tips, I would be happy to hear of them.

Other than bulbs, there are a few other to-do's for this month:

• For your perennials and shrubs, give them one more application of fertilizer and give them a good drink of water - this will help them through the winter months.
  
• Dig up any tender bulbs such as cannas, gladiolus, and dahlias so that they can be stored for the winter.
  
• Allow hips to form on your rose bushes.
• Leaving seed heads on the rudbeckia and echinacea provides food for the birds. Also, waiting until spring to cut back some of those perennials and ornamental grasses provides some shelter for those feathered friends. This can also help achieve some winter interest in your garden.
• Perennials that you are cutting back for winter should be cut down after several killing frosts. And, plants should be cut back to within 2-3 inches of the ground.
• This is also a great time to divide and move perennials.
  
• Bring houseplants back indoors.
• Plant trees and shrubs.
• Watch out for frost, and cover those tender plants if necessary.
• Give that compost bin one last turn.

Whoa...buddy!!

If you have somehow managed to miss out on Island Ice Cream, you are truly missing out on one of life's great pleasures. This ice cream is homemade right here in Grand Isle, Vermont. It is super creamy and delicious. My favorite flavors (so far) are the maple walnut and cake
batter. Island Ice Cream will have a scoop cart at the Applefest celebration in South Hero, VT on October 11th and 12th. If you would like to check out their website, which also contains a complete list of where you can purchase their ice cream, please visit http://www.islandhomemadeicecream.com/
Caution: may induce drooling.

Dreams Deferred

For my English Composition class, we had write a 5 paragraph writing sample based on the following poem Harlem (1951) by Langston Hughes. I found the poem to be inspiring. I saw an opportunity to reflect on some of my accomplishments, and think about some of the dreams and desires that I have deferred.

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the Sun?
Or fester like a sore
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over-
like a syrupy sweet
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load
Or does it explode?

Throughout my life I have had a handful of dreams and goals which have been left unfulfilled. I suppose the outcome depends somewhat on where I am at in my life. Sometimes I feel as though I am in a position to tackle something head-on. Other times it seems easier to say, "well, maybe next year," or "maybe this winter." On occasion, I have also found myself wishing that I had something to tackle, but just couldn't find something "tackle-worthy." This can sometimes lead to discovering something new and exciting that was definitely worth the wait. After reading the poem Harlem by Langston Hughes, I found myself comparing many of the metaphors to my own dreams and goals, reflecting on those which have been fulfilled, and remembering those that haven't.

One line in the poem questions if a dream deferred "sags like a heavy load, or does it explode?" This immediately made me think of my gardening. I have always had an interest in plants, but recently I have felt that it has really become a part of who I am. A short time ago I would visit a nursery and pick out a few things that caught my eye, then bring them home and feel unsure about where I should plant them, or what would look best next to it. I have spent a lot of time over the past couple of years pouring over gardening books, researching different plants, and looking through several designs. I feel as though I now have my own style, and my own plan. I can go outside and look at my garden and smile - there is order and rhythm. I like the way it looks, and I enjoy spending time in it. I feel as though my dream of being a good gardener is taking shape, exploding in a sense.

Maybe it's time to revisit some of the things that I have put off for another day. There's so many things I would like to try. If only I had some more time on my hands....

What?? Summer's over!!??

Excuse me, but, what the heck happened to summer? It seems as though it passed me by just as I was getting to the point that I could really enjoy it. As the spring was coming to an end, Blake and I decided to take on some projects. Most of them were home-improvement related. We dug up the lower half of our front yard so that I can begin filling it with a mixed garden. The area was just too steep to mow, and Blake actually fell a couple of times last summer trying to mow it. In addition to that, I have a few other small gardens that needed to be filled with trees, shrubs, and perennials. I had a wonderful time planning what to plant, where to plant it, and researching and discovering new plants. Oh, yes, I also really enjoyed the part where you get to shop for plants!! I think I may have missed my calling - I should have pursued a degree in horticulture. This photo above is one of my favorite new additions: Agastache 'Blue Fortune'. The bumble bees love it, and they work at collecting the pollen from sunrise to sunset. It was a lot of fun watching them.
Other than gardening, we decided to paint the first floor of our house, including the ceilings. It was quite a job, and took us a total of 5 days. Most of the time was spent doing prep work - taping, moving furniture, protecting the floor, etc. We are both really happy with the results of our hard work, and with the fact that we're finished. It's nice to have some color for a change!! The upstairs now looks really naked with its white walls... but I think it may be a little while before Blake and I are ready to take on another painting project.
It doesn't appear that I have been accepted into the hygiene program for this year. And, I'm really feeling okay with it. I am going to take two more classes this fall - and then there really isn't much else that I can take as far as pre-requisites are concerned. So, I'll cross my fingers and hope for next year. I will be submitting my application this winter.
I hope everyone is doing well... I'll blog again soon!!

Pancake Mouth

Tahoe enjoys a pancake breakfast just as much as we do. During a typical Sunday pancake-feed (served up by the pancake master himself), Blake accidentally dropped two pancakes on the floor, and Tahoe swooped in to reep the rewards. However, she had two full-size pancakes in her mouth, and wasn't entirely sure what to do about it. She started walking around and whining. I finally had to take the pancakes out of her mouth and break them up so that she could eat them. Silly, silly dog!!

Yet again, I have neglected my blog. But, with the nicer weather, along with a break from school, I should have some interesting and blog-worthy material. I tend to become somewhat of a hermit during the winter months. Although, this past winter we had alot of fun snowshoeing or walking on our property and watching the dog spaz out in the snow. She loves it!!

I should be hearing about the hygiene program this week. I was informed last month that I was not accepted into the program, which was not a huge surprise to me because I was told that I shouldn't expect to get in on my first attempt. I was a little disappointed, but I focused on the positive. Blake and I could really enjoy the summer, and not have to plan everything around homework, studying, and classes. A couple of weeks ago, I called the school to see if there was anything I could do to "beef up" my application for next year. The academic advisor asked me if I was aware that I am on the waiting list for this year. "Well.... yes...." I replied. She then informed me that I am one of the frontrunners on the waiting list, so I still have a decent chance of being accepted for this year. So, we'll see... I am honestly okay either way... whether it's this year or next. But I'll keep you posted.

Man's Best Friend

Ahhh, all settled in for a nice nap. Tahoe seems to be under the impression that she is a lap dog. She is still doing very well... the whole dog ownership thing has been a little bit of a learning curve for Blake and I. Our main concern was what to do with the dog while we are at work during the day. So, I got a baby gate to keep the dog on the first floor of the house. Then, the cat had a safe place in the upstairs portion of the house. This worked well... for about a day. (Tahoe is only 1 - 1 1/2 years old, so it's basically like having a 65lb. puppy.) On day two, Tahoe decided that she didn't like my offensive space heater so she chewed the plug right off the cord! Ok, now you're banished to the laundry room while we're away at work!! Well, that worked well, for a couple of days. Until, she scratched at the wall a bit. Nothing that can't be repaired, thankfully. Next step... you're very own cozy kennel!! I have never crated a dog before, so I felt like it was a little mean. But, I guess it's either the kennel or a savings account for home repair. We're hoping that we can eventually graduate her to the run of the downstairs again over time. She's still our baby, and we love her, we're still just trying to figure out what works best for her. We got the book The Dog Whisperer which has been a great help. It is all about positive reinforcement for training, and basically all of the what's, how's, and if's to dog ownership. It seems that Tahoe and Sheeba are slowly warming up to each other. And, I do mean ...s...l...o...w...l...y... : ) But, I think eventually that they will be just fine. Thank goodness!!