Hello again one and all.
It's that time of year here in New Mexico when we start putting all of our plants in the ground and begin the weeding and watering season. While it is best to remove weeds from the garden by hand, ensuring that you pull the weed from the base making sure to remove as much of the root a possible, there is a very effective way to deal with weeds in the rest of you yard. Vinegar can be poured on unwanted weeds and invasive plants and is effective in killing them. The vinegar breaks down the structure of the cells and in doing so kills the weeds. Just remember more than one treatment may be necessary.
Well we finally purchased four more chicks so our one chicken will no longer be lonely. Chickens love company. It keeps them happy.
And now I'd like to share with you a great recipe for all those cherry tomatoes that will be coming around soon.
CHERRY TOMATO SIZZLE
12-15 cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
One dash each of- Oregano, Garlic powder, Rosemary and Parsley
In saucepan mix olive oil, oregano, garlic powder, rosemary and parsley.
In separate bowl mash cherry tomatoes. Add tomato mash to saucepan and simmer until sauce slightly thickens, stirring occasionally. Serve over pasta of choice.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Tool Care and Maintenance
Hello again one and all!
Today I would like to talk a little about tool care and maintenance. It's important when one is working in the yard or garden or whatever that one has the proper tools and that those tools are in the optimum condition for the task at hand.
I'll start with sharpening. Its good to keep hoes, lawn mower blades, etc sharp to ensure that they are operating to the best of their ability. Now you can by a specialized sharpener for the job or if you prefer you can use a grinder or some sort of rotary tool to do the job as well. just make sure that you are wearing the proper safety equipment and accessories before doing so. As always if you are not sure about doing this yourself consult some local garden supply stores and they will point you in the right direction to find a professional sharpener.
As for maintaining you digging tools, a great way to oil and clean them is to mostly fill, about 2/3 to 3/4, a bucket with coarse sand. then add one quart of oil to the sand and jab in your digging tools repeatedly until all dirt is removed and the blade is completely coated in oil. brush off the sand and store and remember you can use this mixture repeatedly but if you must, please dispose of it responsibly.
- A few other things to remember are to always make sure wooden handles are oiled.
- Try to clean your tools yearly.
- Keep tools off the ground and out of the weather.
- Oil and steel wool are all you need to keep pruning shears and saws free of sap, dirt and sawdust.
On a side note another thing I learned this week is that chickens are social birds. Which explains why our hen, Bessie, is always yelling and squawking at me like she wants to kill me. So if anyone knows where on earth, or at least New Mexico, that I can find some pullets, email me at theruralpunkblog@hotmail.com
Also feel free to use that address for any questions, ideas, stories or concerns that you may have!
Until next time!
Stuart Smith
Today I would like to talk a little about tool care and maintenance. It's important when one is working in the yard or garden or whatever that one has the proper tools and that those tools are in the optimum condition for the task at hand.
I'll start with sharpening. Its good to keep hoes, lawn mower blades, etc sharp to ensure that they are operating to the best of their ability. Now you can by a specialized sharpener for the job or if you prefer you can use a grinder or some sort of rotary tool to do the job as well. just make sure that you are wearing the proper safety equipment and accessories before doing so. As always if you are not sure about doing this yourself consult some local garden supply stores and they will point you in the right direction to find a professional sharpener.
As for maintaining you digging tools, a great way to oil and clean them is to mostly fill, about 2/3 to 3/4, a bucket with coarse sand. then add one quart of oil to the sand and jab in your digging tools repeatedly until all dirt is removed and the blade is completely coated in oil. brush off the sand and store and remember you can use this mixture repeatedly but if you must, please dispose of it responsibly.
- A few other things to remember are to always make sure wooden handles are oiled.
- Try to clean your tools yearly.
- Keep tools off the ground and out of the weather.
- Oil and steel wool are all you need to keep pruning shears and saws free of sap, dirt and sawdust.
On a side note another thing I learned this week is that chickens are social birds. Which explains why our hen, Bessie, is always yelling and squawking at me like she wants to kill me. So if anyone knows where on earth, or at least New Mexico, that I can find some pullets, email me at theruralpunkblog@hotmail.com
Also feel free to use that address for any questions, ideas, stories or concerns that you may have!
Until next time!
Stuart Smith
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
First Day on the Blog
Welcome one and all.
This is a new blog intended to share, educate and inform all those interested in the worlds of gardening, farming, animal raising, cooking, etc. The twist here is that I am a punk living in the country going through the fun of learning about how to do many of these tasks. My wife and mother-in-law are both amazingly helpful in helping to show me the right way and hopefully I can get them both to help with some of the stuff that is written here.
Currently on our little property we are raising chickens, planting our garden, prepping an area for herb gardening, working on keeping our dog (the biggest garden pest of all) out of our flowers and tending to the fruit trees. This is a lot to do even in such a small area but we love it and thoroughly enjoy doing so.
I am also open to and question/suggestions that anyone may have. you can email me at theruralpunkblog@hotmail.com
Now as for cooking, I love cooking. One thing I will be doing here is posting new recipes from time to time because when I cook I like to make it up as I go. Some things come out great and others, well.... That's why we have a dog.
So to kick things off today I will be sharing a recipe:
Beer Baked Chicken
3 slices of bacon, cut in half
2 pieces of chicken, leg and thigh quarters are best
2 shallots, diced
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon ground marjoram
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1 clove garlic, minced
12 oz. (1 bottle) beer. Room temperature. (I recommend Moosehead Lager)
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
Mix shallots, flour, marjoram, pepper, thyme, garlic, beer and vinegar in mixing bowl. Set aside.
Place chicken in roasting pan and pour mixture over chicken. Place slices of bacon over the chicken.
Place roasting pan in oven and bake for 50-55 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender. Serve over fresh pasta and spoon the gravy from the roasting pan over the top. Trust me, its delicious.
Well that is all for today! I look forward to the next time!
Stuart Smith
This is a new blog intended to share, educate and inform all those interested in the worlds of gardening, farming, animal raising, cooking, etc. The twist here is that I am a punk living in the country going through the fun of learning about how to do many of these tasks. My wife and mother-in-law are both amazingly helpful in helping to show me the right way and hopefully I can get them both to help with some of the stuff that is written here.
Currently on our little property we are raising chickens, planting our garden, prepping an area for herb gardening, working on keeping our dog (the biggest garden pest of all) out of our flowers and tending to the fruit trees. This is a lot to do even in such a small area but we love it and thoroughly enjoy doing so.
I am also open to and question/suggestions that anyone may have. you can email me at theruralpunkblog@hotmail.com
Now as for cooking, I love cooking. One thing I will be doing here is posting new recipes from time to time because when I cook I like to make it up as I go. Some things come out great and others, well.... That's why we have a dog.
So to kick things off today I will be sharing a recipe:
Beer Baked Chicken
3 slices of bacon, cut in half
2 pieces of chicken, leg and thigh quarters are best
2 shallots, diced
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon ground marjoram
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1 clove garlic, minced
12 oz. (1 bottle) beer. Room temperature. (I recommend Moosehead Lager)
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
Mix shallots, flour, marjoram, pepper, thyme, garlic, beer and vinegar in mixing bowl. Set aside.
Place chicken in roasting pan and pour mixture over chicken. Place slices of bacon over the chicken.
Place roasting pan in oven and bake for 50-55 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender. Serve over fresh pasta and spoon the gravy from the roasting pan over the top. Trust me, its delicious.
Well that is all for today! I look forward to the next time!
Stuart Smith
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