Spring Things

Hi everyone!! It's a beautiful day in northern Illinois! I hope it is in your part of the world, as well.


It's rhubarb time! If you've got rhubarb, I'm sure you're harvesting right now. I wrote this post last year about rhubarb, which included a few recipes and my favorite tip for growing great rhubarb! Check it out if you need some rhubarb inspiration. I found a new rhubarb recipe I'm going to try out: Frosted Rhubarb Cookies! Mmmmm. Sounds yummy! I'm always looking for ways to use the foods I grow. I also put lots of rhubarb by in the freezer (in packages sized for future uses) so that I can enjoy this sweet veggie even when it's not in season.


It's also dandelion season, if you don't weed-n-feed. Here's last year's post on a few things to do with dandelions.


Did you plant seeds indoors for plants to put in your garden? I did, and it's just about time to put those plants in the ground. Some of you in the south may have already put your plants in, if your ground has dried enough. For those of us up north, it's time to start 'hardening off' our tiny seedlings. Hardening off is taking them outside for a bit of time each day to get them used to the 'harsh' outdoor conditions they will soon endure full time. I usually bring my plants out for an hour or two the first day and put them somewhere where they can have a bit of sun and a bit of shade. I place them where they're protected from too much wind, as well. Everyday, I bring them out for a little more time, and a little more 'harsh' weather. After 5 or 6 days, the plants should be ready to put in the ground.


I believe that what's happening in the government around us is an indicator of what kind of future we'll probably have. That knowledge allows us to prepare correctly. On that note, here's an article explaining how the Indiana supreme court is shredding the 4th amendment. And, here's a video of Judge Napolitano talking about the same situation and more dangerous activity that's happening at the federal government level. Let's stay alert, folks!


Prep On!
Gen-IL Homesteader

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Join the APN Forum at www.AmericanPreppersNetwork.net
Visit the Illinois Forum at www.IllinoisPreppersNetwork.net

Spring is in the Air!!

Hi everyone!! Sorry for the long absence here. Hubby and I just returned from visiting his family in Mississippi. (Yes, we are responsible for bring this gorgeous weather back to northern Illinois!! :)) Seriously, though, we are enjoying this (hopeful) jump into spring. We were hoping to get the peas, carrots, and onions planted in the garden yesterday, but our yard is still much too wet. I'm hoping that the next few days of sunshine and breezes will do the job.


So, instead of planting outdoors, we planted indoors. Well, transplanted indoors. The seedlings that we started, including tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, and broccoli were outgrowing their starter pots and needed to be replanted into bigger pots. Now they have plenty of room to grow and get nice and big before their final planting in the ground.


Do you know you don't need any kind of fancy pots to grow seedlings? While I do start my seedling in 'cells' in a miniature 'greenhouse' planter, the bigger seedlings get transplanted into whatever is available. This year we used 7oz. plastic drinking cups. In the past we've used small yogurt containers or washed-out containers that quart-size plants come in. Plants aren't fussy--they'll continue growing in whatever kind of container you have. As long as conditions are right, plants have a God-given desire to GROW and PRODUCE!


It's getting warm enough that I'll soon be able to start cooking over the open fire in my cast iron pans. I'm excited for that and excited to do some posts on the yummy things that cook so easily that way!


I was able to use the clothesline yesterday for the first time this year. I love how the clothesline not only saves money and wear-and-tear on the dryer, but it also makes your clothes smell fabulous!! It's as easy as stringing some clothesline rope between a few trees! Give it a try this year. Enjoy the sun's energy, enjoy fresher-smelling clothes, and enjoy 'being green' in the easiest way! And on that note, here's an article I saw on Yahoo about how often clothes should be washed. If you're an over-washer you can save time and money by wearing your apparel a few more times before a wash.


Prep On!
Gen-IL Homesteader

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Join the APN Forum at www.AmericanPreppersNetwork.net
Visit the Illinois Forum at www.IllinoisPreppersNetwork.net