Any "home-canners" Out There?

[tiredofdoctors]

Hot Damn and Hallelujah -- I'm so excited I'm good at math!!!!!!

Jen, I'm sorry you're feeling bad today -- hope you get to feeling better this weekend. We're supposed to get hit with snow this evening -- are you getting it up north?

And, with regard to the earthworm farming, let us not forget, they all died. Still used it as compost -- had to say a little prayer each time I scooped some out -- you know, a euology and all -- but they still died

Hope you guys have a GREAT weekend! Hugs to you all . . . Lynne

BTW: I'm on the computer at 2:17 because I have the worst insomnia I can imagine -- at 5:30 this morning, I started watching the news, and the traffic reports for my husband. I have some pretty hefty nerve pain from this stupid disease, and they've given me a prescription for it (the latest, greatest type of Neurontin), but it still keeps me up some nights. So . . . I post on here! Beats the heck out of trying to clean the house during the night -- especially when you fall into the walls I do make the occasional smoothie -- so often that my husband doesn't even wake up now when the blender starts up!

[Judyin Philly]

get hit with snow this evening -- are you getting it up north?

We're getting it in Philly

I have lots of worms here in Philly, I'll send you some. They are everywhere..someone mentioned they are under old boards, rocks etc.

judy

[tiredofdoctors]

Honestly, we're supposed to get 1" - 3". You would think that we are going to have the blizzard of the century. They're breaking into programs with the "Winter Snow Alerts" and each has its own scary title with the big voice "Winter Snow Advisory", whatever EVERYONE is going out to the grocery for Milk, Bread (not me) and eggs! You wouldn't be able to get a parking space in the grocery lot if your life depended on it! And some of those people are mean -- they would hit a girl in a wheelchair! (Actually, I have been hit (on purpose) with a grocery cart because someone wanted me to move!)

At any rate, I'll let you know about our Blizzard -- I'm trying to figure out a way to attach my chair to the sled -- it would be one FANTASTIC ride down the big hill in the park. I had better get a seatbelt, first, though

Talk to you guys soon . . . . Lynne

P.S. Judy -- we have plenty of worms -- it's just that when I try to farm them for their "casings" (poop) -- it's really good fertilizer -- I keep killing them!

[Judyin Philly]

GOOD LORD IN HEAVEN---

NOW we are talking about worm 'poop'

Shall i start a new thread about it???????

I'm OUTA HERE..HAVE TO GO GET MY MILK AND BREAD...

jUDY

Hi Jen, sent my address I've got to get downstairs and take pictures of mine and we can compare styles. Today is going to be nuts though, so I'll try either this evening or tomorrow morning.

Can't wait to see yours!

WAITING TO SEE YOUR PICTURES.

CANT WAIT

JDUY

[tiredofdoctors]

Actually, I think we talked about worm poop a long time ago, too!

[Guest Viola]

Just got home from the hospital, my DH had his knee surgery this morning. It all went well and he is sitting here with his leg up, which he'd better behave and do for three or four days.

Jen those quilt pictures are really beautiful! It seems some of those embroidery stitches have been lost over the years, you don't see them much anymore. In fact hand applique and hand embroidery is becoming a lost art. I do hope that some younger people will take it up and not allow such a beautiful thing to disappear in the future. You are a very lucky lady to have that quilt!

I will try and get downstairs and take the pictures of my crazy quilt. It's quite similar except the pieces are much smaller because it is a baby cradle quilt. But still it has that wonderful embroidery

Lynne ... I wonder how many worms you need to make one pound of worm poop fertilizer We need a mathmetician (sp) to weigh one worm poop and then multiply it for a pound and see how many worms you need. Then you have to figure out how many pounds per acre And on it goes ....

[Judyin Philly]

i've bought a lot of my jars at yard sales.

christine

Chrissy

dang, I put all mine in a garage sale. I put in 3 boxes of them.

Did you buy mine?

Judy In Philly

Just got home from the hospital, my DH had his knee surgery this morning. It all went well and he is sitting here with his leg up, which he'd better behave and do for three or four days.

So glad it went well Shirley,

Jen those quilt pictures are really beautiful! It seems some of those embroidery stitches have been lost over the years, you don't see them much anymore. In fact hand applique and hand embroidery is becoming a lost art. I do hope that some younger people will take it up and not allow such a beautiful thing to disappear in the future. You are a very lucky lady to have that quilt!

I will try and get downstairs and take the pictures of my crazy quilt. It's quite similar except the pieces are much smaller because it is a baby cradle quilt. But still it has that wonderful embroidery

Can't wait to see it

Lynne ... I wonder how many worms you need to make one pound of worm poop fertilizer We need a mathmetician (sp) to weigh one worm poop and then multiply it for a pound and see how many worms you need. Then you have to figure out how many pounds per acre And on it goes ....

Lynne--the balls in your court now..woops...poops in your court now...

Judy in Philly

[tiredofdoctors]

Hi Guys -- Shirley, I'm glad your husband is doing well -- isn't it amazing what they can do with regard to knee scopes now? Pretty cool. I hope he feels better soon.

O.K. As far as the worm poop goes, we'll probably never KNOW how many it takes, because within two weeks, I kill all the darned things. And let me tell you, I did everything BY THE LETTER. I even lightly sprinkled corn meal over the top, just like the instructions said. And the stupid things still died. So, I'm hoping that decomposing worms (EEEEEWWWWWWWW) are as good a fertilizer as their poop!

Okay -- the poop's out of my court and in someone else's . . . . . . Hugs to you all, Lynne

BTW: If I could do it RIGHT, worms make a lot of "casings"; the also make a lot of "tea" (I'm sure you can figure that one out) There was an elementary school who started using the garbage (food items) from lunch to start a worm farm in a large garbage can. They had so many casings, so much tea, and the worms were so prolific, that they had 6 or 7 large garbage cans within no time. In addition, they sold the tea, sold the casings, and divided and sold the worms to bait shops -- these kids ended up buying all KINDS of stuff for the school -- a brand new playground, I'm talking high-ticket items!

They have 6 or 7 large garbage cans full, and I can't keep from killing 3 different batches of worms. Hmmmf

[Judyin Philly]

Lynne

Damn, wish we could sell our 'poop' we'd all be millionairs.

I'm going to get kicked off for bad language so will 'retire' from the site.'

Judy in Philly

[tiredofdoctors]

naaah, you can stay -- we're having fun! How much snow do you have? Ours is just starting -- we're getting some sleet but no snow yet. Can't wait until tomorrow morning -- I love waking up to see it all white! I think it's just beautiful! Then I go outside and feed the birds -- have to make sure that they have seed & suet! I also feed the squirrels, which my husband laughs at, because he says most people try to keep the squirrels away, and feed the birds. I figure it this way -- if I give the squirrels the stuff they like, they'll leave the birds' food alone! At any rate, don't stray from this thread!!!! I'll have to hunt you down like I'm doing with all those companies! . . . . . Lynne

[Judyin Philly]

naaah, you can stay -- we're having fun! How much snow do you have? Ours is just starting -- we're getting some sleet but no snow yet. Can't wait until tomorrow morning -- I love waking up to see it all white! I think it's just beautiful! Then I go outside and feed the birds -- have to make sure that they have seed & suet! I also feed the squirrels, which my husband laughs at, because he says most people try to keep the squirrels away, and feed the birds. I figure it this way -- if I give the squirrels the stuff they like, they'll leave the birds' food alone! At any rate, don't stray from this thread!!!! I'll have to hunt you down like I'm doing with all those companies! . . . . . Lynne

Lynne-

Can't wait until tomorrow morning -- I love waking up to see it all white! I think it's just beautiful! Then I go outside and feed the birds --

It's Jim's and my favorit thing too. Now our rescue cat loves to watch with us. Jim an avid birder and we have 10 feeders on our deck. We get a 'wax corn type corn cob and attach on large metal screw and the squirels love it and keeps them busy and mostly leave the bird food alone.

snow won't start here till much latered today..changed the time.

where do you live again??

Judy

[tiredofdoctors]

Louisville, KY. We have SNOW!!! Of course, we won't tomorrow, so we need to enjoy it today! Jen lives in Indianapolis, and they usually get hammered a little more than us -- actually a LOT more than us, considering that she's just two hours up the road. My aunt lives there, and we call and compare snow stories! Right now, though, my aunt just calls to hound me as to whether I've joined the Y to swim yet -- she said she's going to be on my (butt) until I am swimming at least 4 days / week! (the doctor told me to swim -- hopes it might help my coordination). Well, we've been watching girls Hockey -- which just seems wrong to me -- girls beating each other with sticks, but the US just beat Switzerland, so I guess its time for me to feed the birds! Talk to you soon . . . Lynne

[Judyin Philly]

Louisville, KY. We have SNOW!!! Of course, we won't tomorrow, so we need to enjoy it today! Jen lives in Indianapolis, and they usually get hammered a little more than us -- actually a LOT more than us, considering that she's just two hours up the road. My aunt lives there, and we call and compare snow stories! Right now, though, my aunt just calls to hound me as to whether I've joined the Y to swim yet -- she said she's going to be on my (butt) until I am swimming at least 4 days / week! (the doctor told me to swim -- hopes it might help my coordination). Well, we've been watching girls Hockey -- which just seems wrong to me -- girls beating each other with sticks, but the US just beat Switzerland, so I guess its time for me to feed the birds! Talk to you soon . . . Lynne

Oh Lynne, let me tell you PLEASE, if I may. Swimming has saved my life along with my chiro. of course my Internist of 20 yrs is the hub of my medical wheel but I've seen so many specialists, at least 10 different kinds and years of searching for surgeons who will take my tumors off and bone graft my broken bones..

Just don't want to spend hrs on this thing today.

I'm going to pm you.

judy

[tiredofdoctors]

My crocuses are coming up!!!! It looks as though the squirrels didn't get ALL of them Guess some of them are immune to cayenne pepper

Also have something coming up -- think it's my daffodils -- if we start having freezing stuff again, do I need to cover the leaves of those? I have a fairly good "mulch" (not pretty because it's leaves & stuff to try to keep the squirrels out -- was going to remove it in the spring and add something nicer) -- but if the leaves are above it, will the freeze kill the whole thing off?

I am REALLY excited about this! I haven't planted bulbs before! I'm a bulb-plant mom, now

[Guest Viola]

Wow Lynne, that is exciting. You will soon have pretty flowers.

Both Crocus and Daffodils are a pretty hardy lot, but don't take that mulch off until you are out of freezing temps as they are used to it now and things will be tender under the mulch. But the leaves above it will be hardy. It's only when the flowers are full out that freezing temps will get them. Although they will take a few degrees below freezing even then.

Enjoy!

[jenvan]

Congrats Lynne! I hope to be a bulb-mom too when dh and I finally buy a house Bet they look pretty!

[tiredofdoctors]

I can't believe I'm this excited about bulbs!!! Each time I go out front, I walk around the whole circle to see which ones are coming up, and how much progress they're making!!!

BTW: I have decided that, since my outlook has changed dramatically since I began on this forum, that it's time for a change of titles -- "tired of doctors" is much too pessimistic to describe me now. So, I'm looking for a new one . . . any suggestions greatly welcome! I need something that is much more either a) pragmatic (like just my name) b optimistic or c) just plain silly!

Have at it, guys!!!!! Talk to you soon . . . . . .Lynne

[Judyin Philly]

I can't believe I'm this excited about bulbs!!! Each time I go out front, I walk around the whole circle to see which ones are coming up, and how much progress they're making!!!

BTW: I have decided that, since my outlook has changed dramatically since I began on this forum, that it's time for a change of titles -- "tired of doctors" is much too pessimistic to describe me now. So, I'm looking for a new one . . . any suggestions greatly welcome! I need something that is much more either a) pragmatic (like just my name) b optimistic or c) just plain silly!

Have at it, guys!!!!! Talk to you soon . . . . . .Lynne

hi lynne

i wish i could find all my winter acolite becasue they are still under snow but my daffs are up about 6"

i can't wait either.

love my early morning walks in the garden to see what's come up.

names..agree you much too positive a personal for that 'tag'

loopy lynne

limping lynne

lucky lynne

going to bed... maybe i can dream up one..maybe some neat flower name first...

judy

[tiredofdoctors]

Judy, you're the best!!! Those are funny! "Limping Lynne" --actually, it would have to be a description that depicts more of a drunkard walking!!!!!!! "Falling Lynne" is a good one, too -- I like the idea of flower ones, though! Actually, Lucky Lynne is pretty accurate -- or actually I'm not so much lucky as I am blessed . . . .

[jenvan]

Well, time to renew my favorite thread So, this year I am thinking of doing the raised beds for the garden. Thinking beans, roma tomatoes and more peppers--loved those last year. Any tips of the raised beds? I am such a novice at gardening math too. Any help calculating the square yards of soil I will need to buy? Who all has done beans--did you buy or make a 'lattice' ?

Shirley-How's the dh's knee?

Lynne-Only 2 hours away--that isn't bad! I will have to come and visit you....

[erin24]

Well, time to renew my favorite thread So, this year I am thinking of doing the raised beds for the garden. Thinking beans, roma tomatoes and more peppers--loved those last year. Any tips of the raised beds? I am such a novice at gardening math too. Any help calculating the square yards of soil I will need to buy? Who all has done beans--did you buy or make a 'lattice' ?

Shirley-How's the dh's knee?

Lynne-Only 2 hours away--that isn't bad! I will have to come and visit you....

Gardening..one of my fav things to do! And we have a family landscaping business so I've got your measurement answer:

- most topsoil is sold by the cubic yard or cubic feet (1 cubic yard is equal to 27 cubic feet). For example, a 27 cubic foot bed is a bed 3 feet high, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet deep. To measure how much you need for your raised bed multiply length * width * height (use feet as your measurement). Once you get that measurement you can figure out how many bags/truck loads you need. For example, if your raised bed is 54 cubic feet then you need 2 cubic yards. Does that make sense?

- I am contimplating doing string beans myself this year. I think I am going to drive 2 posts/stakes at the end of the row and tie yarn to each stake so the yarn runs the length of the row. I am going to tie 3 pieces of yarn at 3 different heights so teh beans can grow up them. That might be hard to picture. I am not sure how well it will work but I am sure there is probably a better way to do it since I dont have much experience with beans.

how large or raised are your beds gonna be?

[tiredofdoctors]

I am SOOOOOOOO happy with my little bulb-garden! I have the most beautiful tulips blooming right now, and the muscari (grape hyacinths) look so CUTE! The daffodils, crocus and snow-bells are finished blooming, and the hyacinths are starting to dwindle, but even a neighbor across the street and a few doors down came by to talk and told me how beautiful our front looked! That is really exciting. I feel kind of bad, though -- my SIL and I went in together on the bulbs to get a better deal. She divided the bulbs, so it's NOT MY FAULT! We were talking about the hyacinths -- she got only white ones. I have two white, one yellow, one pink, one lavender, and one deep blue/purple. It appears that I got all the colored ones!

I'm now going to plant my summer bulbs -- Asiatic lilies, Sumatra lilies, calla lilies, a yellow peony, plumeria and freesia. Wish me a green thumb! Lynne

[jenvan]

Lynne-

Flowers sound beautiful! When B and I move and by a house, I want to invest in some bulbs. My most favorite--hydrangeas...I want to plant some...blue and white. Ah, I love them! Not sure about flower this year....I did about 15 pots last year! So perhaps some other annual.... Anywho, gotta go. Take a pic of the flowers some time!

[tiredofdoctors]

I FORGOT to take pictures! I am so MAD at myself I love hydrangeas, too. I think they are beautiful. My mom had them at our house when I was little - blue and white ones. I can't wait to see this yellow peony tree. It should be pretty. I've never had a house that I could do this. When I was married before, we rented a house, so I couldn't really do much. I am having so much fun! It doesn't hurt that my DH is really supportive.

Jen, I have a pretty good book about Container Gardening -- if you want it, I'll send it to you . . . just e-mail me at bodyworxinc@hotmail.com or PM me. Talk to you soon . . . . . Lynne

[tiredofdoctors]

Okay, Shirley and Jen -- here's what I've planted now: Plumeria, Freesia, Asiatic Lilies, Sumatra Lilies, Calla Lilies, Foxglove and a Yellow Peony. Will keep you posted if the darned things grow! I do know that I have to take them up EVERY year, because they are for Zones 10-11 They didn't tell me that when I was watching QVC