A Little Appreciation

Being veteran’s day I’d like to express my deep gratitude to all who are serving and have served in the U.S. Military. My grandpa and my brother are among these wonderful people. My grandfather fought in World War II and my brother spent 10 years in the service during which he spent time in Korea and served 2 tours in Iraq.

Thanks Alex! And Thanks to all of you who fight for our freedom and the freedom of those around the world!

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Interesting Article – Will it Happen?

Nearly 40% of the fresh fruits and vegetables consumed stateside during 1943 were grown in school, home and community gardens. In addition to providing much-needed food, gardening helped Americans accept the nation’s plurality, providing a positive experience that transcended race, class and socioeconomic divisions. That bridged rural/urban differences. They provided a way for all Americans to provide a service to the nation.

Read the entire article Here.

Do you think we’ll find Victory Gardens making a comeback in the coming years?

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Snow/Ice Accumulation

We woke up to a little snow/ice accumulation today.

Mr Chiot’s and I finally turned on our furnace this morning (we’ve been trying to hold out as long as possible). One day at the end of October we woke up to a frosty 56 inside, but with some baking & a nice sunny day the house warmed up nicely, so we didn’t have to turn it on. Last night ee finally decided that is was time, so we’re enjoying a toasty warm 60 day inside this morning (we like it cold in the house during the winter, it is winter after all, just put on another sweater).

Anyone else still holding out on turning on the heat?

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Eating Locally & Seasonally

Mr Chiots and really try to eat locally and seasonally. Which means, no raspberries in winter, no tomatoes in January, etc. We do this for health & environmental reasons. This summer I read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life (I loved it – very eye-opening) and I came across this quote I thought I’d share.

Concentrating on local foods means thinking of fruit invariably as the product of an orchard, and a winter squash as the fruit of an early-winter farm. It’s a strategy that will keep grocery money in the neighborhood, where it gets recycled into your own school system and local businesses. The green spaces surrounding your town stay green, and farmers who live nearby get to grow more food next year, for you. But before any of that, it’s a win-win strategy for anyone with taste buds. It begins with rethinking a position that is only superficially about deprivation. Citizens of frosty worlds unite, and think about marching past the off-season fruits: you have nothing to lose but mealy, juiceless, rock-hard and refusing to ripen produce.

-Barbara Kingsolver (Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life)

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Busy Bees

We’re busy as bees here at Chiot’s Run. I’m trying to take advantage of these nice days to get all the end of the season garden chores finished up, so not much time to blog. Here’s a bee I spotted on the larkspur while working outside yesterday. Looks like he’s trying to get ready for winter as well.

What are we spending the days doing? We’re building a cold frame for our carrots (photos of that coming later). I’ve been watering like crazy, trying to make sure all the plants are well-watered going into the winter. There are bushels and bushels of leaves to rake, raised beds to make, weeding to finish, and mulching to do. Not to mention the cleaning of all the garden tools & pots and moving everything in to the garage for winter storage.

Is everyone else busy taking advantage of this beautiful weather?

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