Independence Day Strategies

consciously building your independence

clipped from sharonastyk.com Independence Days Plant something: Harvest something: Preserve something: Reduce Waste: Preparation and storage: Build community food systems: Eat the food weeded

Our Resident Rabbit

The first time Eileen came to look at this house she spotted a rabbit in the backyard. We took that as a good omen, and bought the house. Ten years past before we saw another rabbit around. This year we're seeing lots of rabbits on our walks; often the rabbits are outnumbering the cats inside or out. On my morning walks I've also seen a fox on several occasions. Our rabbit has been nibbling clover in the front yard, so when I cut the grass I've been leaving the clover section go. Today we caught the rascal on camera:

Photo Challenge Week 7 of 52

Photo Challenge: Week 6 of 52

Photo Challenge: Week 5 of 52

On Cheesemaking

clipped from simple-green-frugal-co-op.blogspot.com Making Cheese at Home One of the most satisfying projects that I have embarked on during the Greening of Gavin is cheesmaking. It must be the mouse in me coming out, but it is just so much fun to turn simple cows milk into something so divine! All of these cheeses were made from a few simple ingredients that are readily available on-line at cheese websites or in your local area. The basic ingredients are; Whole milk (the fresher the better) Mesophilic starter (a culture to give flavour) Calcium Chloride (if the milk is homogenised) Rennet (vegetable) Non-ionised Salt I have found that once you start cheesmaking, it is very hard to stop. Since February, I make cheese on every second Friday night as a pleasurable way to spend my evening after a long week at work. A glass of red wine also helps with the process!

Current State of the Garden