Gail Saito

Esterinas are by far the best yellow cherry tomatoes!

Freezer queen here. It’s berry picking time. Mason jars make excellent containers for freezing. Flash freeze your berries on a cookie sheet and then fill your jars. If you freeze liquids in your jars, leave some room for expansion and only use straight sided jars. Curvy ones can crack!  Yep. I learned by mistake. So ditch those zip lock bags. Our earth cannot digest plastic. And while you’re at it, check out my children’s book here. We need to teach our kids about the harmful effects of plastic!  https://www.amazon.com/Lizzabelle-Plastic-Bottle-color-interior/dp/1734418915/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=lizzabelle+and+the+plastic+bottle+color&qid=1595474065&sprefix=lizzab&sr=8-1

Actually, the alyssum plant attracts hoverflys, which are known to love aphids.  I have it growing in my raised beds.  This year I plan to plant it near a patch of milkweed, as my milkweed always gets covered with the dreaded aphids.  It will be a true experiment to see if indeed the alyssum works!

Thank you, Jordan.  Would love to hear how they like it.  Feedback is always helpful!

I have self published my first children's book...talk about a steep learning curve!  The title is Lizzabelle and the Plastic Bottle, a book geared towards young children (4-8+) that has a sweet story about a boy, a lizard, the problem with plastic and the importance of recycling.  It is available on Amazon. It is not about the money (I make $2 on the black and white version and $1 on the color version).  It is all about educating our young children about the concerns for plastic.  Check it out here.   https://www.amazon.com/Lizzabelle-Plastic-Bottle-color-interior/dp/1734418915/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=lizzabelle+color&qid=1584143502&sr=8-1 This is the color version.  If you search on Amazon with the title , the black and white interior should pop up.  Key word...should!   And if you decide to buy one, please leave a review.  Thanks!  retired teacher, Gail

I purchased organic muslin bags from wellearthgoods.com and that's what I use when shopping for produce.  The trick is to dampen the bag before placing it in the refrigerator.  It definitely helps to keep the produce fresher longer.  What I struggle with is cheese.  I tried bees wrap, but I don't seem to eat it quick enough and it ends up becoming hard and crusty.  Any suggestions??

Thanks, Stephen!

Can anyone recommend a good bokashi bucket that I can purchase?  

I moved from the chaotic life of So. Calif to the quiet life of country living.  Packed up my belongings and my dog and just moved.  I got everything I wanted...access to wilderness, 1 acre with no neighbor on top of me, no traffic to speak of, four seasons and more rain. That being said, there are times I feel lonely. Making genuine connections with people can sometimes be difficult.  Wouldn't it be great if permies gave us access to peeps that live in our area?  ...likeminded people!  Thinking I'll go bake an apple pie!

Thank you all, for your input.  Much appreciated.  I will ditch the blender and continue burying the scraps.  As someone posted, the earthworms should take care of aerating the soil. (hadn't thought of that, so thanks!)