Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidings

Wait!

What happened to autumn?

Here are a few things taken by surprise

this morning with the cooler temps.

Hope you have something lovely to look at today!

Praying for those affected by Sandy.

God's speed...

Belly Soothing Potion

This weekend I wasn't feeling up to snuff.

Not sure if it was a virus, my hiatal hernia acting up,

or just that run-down feeling from doing too much.

These days I do a better job of listening

to what my body is telling me.

Even if I have a long list of to-dos,

when that feeling of malaise comes over me,

I slow down, eat light and rest as much as possible.

It's the right time for some homemade soothing broth.

Just a few ingredients will help you feel better in no time.

Onions, parsley and garlic

are especially helpful in boosting the immune system.

Thirty minutes of simmering,

and you're on your way to better health.

Homemade Vegetable Broth

4-5 large russet potatoes, cubed

3-4 large carrots (I used organic baby carrots instead), cubed

1/2 yellow onion, large dice

2-3 cloves garlic, whole

1 t salt

1-2 T parsley

Place all ingredients in large stockpot.

Add 1/2 gallon of distilled water.

Bring to the boil,

then turn down to a simmer with the lid on.

Cook for 30-40 minutes.

Puree with hand whizzer or food processor.

Enjoy!

Local Harvest

Have you heard of the Local Harvest website?

For those of us who aren't full-fledged farmers,

it's the next best thing to growin' your own.

We have a farmer's market in town that sells once a week,

but there are no organic vendors

and the food is not necessarily locally grown.

Finding that out was a big disappointment.

As we get ready to enjoy a family trip soon,

we are looking forward to exploring local farmer's markets

and farms in North Carolina.

It's one of the most important items on our list

of what to look for in our new community when we move.

Local Harvest lists farms, farmer's markets, CSA's

and co-ops throughout the United States.

All you have to do is put in the zip code and they pop up.

Here's a sample listing for our local organic farmers:

Barefoot Creek grows fruits and vegetables in a natural way, in harmony with Mother Nature: with compost, chemical-free and then brings them freshly harvested to the Lakeland Downtown Farmer's Curb Market on most Saturday's from 8-2 p.m. The Market closes in August but still has produce available for pick up at the Gardens or pre-arranged in town pick up sites and times. At the Market look for Scotty's Produce. Barefoot Creek is just 10 miles North of Lakeland in Polk County, FL.
***Please note: Location below is Market location.

Mailing address is Gardens Location.

This Farm demonstrates a transition to Permaculture, beyond Organic and Natural. Contact us about gardening classes, garden tours, and school field trips. Visit (more...)

(This listing was last updated on Jun 8, 2012)

Location

200 N. Kentucky Avenue

Lakeland, FL 33801

Contact Information

Jeff (Scotty) Campbell

thebarefootgardener.org

863-904-8620 and 863-221-5654

Mailing Address:

1210 Creekwood Run

Lakeland, FL 33809

Farmers' Market

Schedule and Location:

Saturday's 8-2 p.m.

Closed for month of August

Lakeland Downtown Farmer's Curb Market

200 N. Kentucky Avenue,

in the plaza of the Peterson Building,

across the street from the Downtown Crispers.

Lakeland, FL 33801

U-Pick Farm

Schedule and Location:

Please call to arrange time to pick up already harvested

or pick yourself: 863-904-8620 and 863-221-5654

Send us an email to be placed on our weekly list to see what's available that week.

Email pegjeffcamp@yahoo.com to arrange time to come by.

Or call: 863-904-8620 and 863-221-5654

Barefoot Creek Gardens Location:1210 Creekwood Run, Lakeland, FL 33809

Farming Practices: [?]
naturally grown, grass fed/pastured, integrated pest management

We harvest as close to market date as we can so you get the freshest, nutrient-filled produce possible. We welcome visits to see how our garden grows--just be sure to call ahead. And, pre-ordering is best as we try to harvest as needed with only a little extra available at the market for walk-ups.

Our garden is full of love!

Vegetables:

arugula beets broccoli carrots

chinese greens collards cucumber

eggplant garlic green beans green onions

hot peppers kale lettuce

mustard greens okra parsnips potatoes

radishes salad greens salad mix spinach summer squash sweet peppers sweet potatoes swiss chard

tomatillos tomatoes turnips

winter-squash zucchini

Fruits:

blackberries

Dairy/Eggs:

eggs goat milk

Herbs:

fresh herbs medicinal herbs

Flowers:

edible flowers

Specialty Items:

plants (bedding, etc)

Local Harvest makes it easy to support

your local organic farmer.

It also gives you a place to post information

about your own home-grown food,

should you decide that you want to be a provider.

Hope you can enjoy a farmer's market

this weekend, y'all!

The Monster in Your Shower

We have a cleaning schedule to keep us on track.

I'm not a neat freak,

but I do enjoy living in a tidy home.

With increased motivation to get our house ready for staging,

certain dirty jobs must be tackled.

Here's a simple solution to a nasty task

that'll only cost you 15 minutes.

This is our shower head.

This is our shower head on vinegar.

Any questions?

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidings

Autumn is inching its way toward our region.

Temperatures grace the 60's in the earliest morning hours,

but our highs are still in the 80's.

What's a gardener to do?

Get out there as early as possible

and enjoy the beauty that God has provided us.

cosmos

zinnias are just about through for the season

native butterfly vine is a bright spot in the yard

society garlic

gerbera daisy

blue daze just keep on bloomin'

 native cotton plant flower

 

jasmine yet to open

periwinkles

 

orange cosmos reaching toward the heavens

Fresh mulch was added to the front beds this weekend.

We apply only pine bark and pine straw in our planting beds. 

Cypress mulch was previously used

because we liked the color,

but that was before we were educated

as to why it's not the best choice.

Someone's found a way to beat the heat...

She approves of the newly laid groundcover.

Enjoy your Tuesday, y'all!

Meatless Monday!

Have you heard of "Meatless Monday"?

It's a movement started almost 10 years ago

in order to bring attention to the world's need

for better nutrition.

We eat vegetarian at least twice a week,

(myself more often, as I eat no red meat or poultry)

and many of the recipes we feature can be adapted to

non meat-eaters.

Although it's still in the 80's here,

I'm w-i-l-l-i-n-g fall to show itself and stay

by preparing this dish,

meant for cooler days.

C'mon autumn...

Penne with White Bean Sauce

(Sun Sentinel)

1 lb. pasta (semolina or gf)

1/4 t red pepper flakes

1 t dried basil

1 rib celery, chopped

(we substituted 1/2 C shredded carrots)

1/4 C parsley, chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 1/2 C white beans

1/3 C olive oil

1 large tomato, cubed

Cook pasta al dente. 

Heat oil in large skillet. 

Add garlic, pepper flakes and celery,

and cook about 4 minutes. 

Add beans, tomato, and spices and cook for 5 minutes

or until slightly thickened. 

Add parmesan if desired.

Enjoy!