Shackleton Archives : Cast Iron Forest to Skillet

2022-11-012022-11-01

11/01/2022 saffron season!

2022-10-172022-10-17

10/17/2022 it might get in 30s tonight??

Shackleton inspected sweet peppers as I brought them in on a red tray.

The long skinny red peppers are Corbaci sweet peppers. The round dark purple peppers are Purple Beauty sweet peppers.

2022-09-052022-09-05

09/05/2022 new dayflower!

Abby has found the perennial and native dayflower in her yard and kindly shared some. It has very different roots than the non native annual one!

Earlier in the day, Shackleton supervised while Paula watered baby cacti.

Careful pouring to wet the soil around the babies.

“What is this fuss? Who opened my curtain??”

2022-09-042022-09-04

09/04/2022 supplemental seedling report and creatures

This might be a baby greenthread? It’s in the right place. And is very thread-like.

The wild poinsettias were buzzing with lids today! This is some kind of potter wasp. I saw at least two or three.

There was also a sweat bee.

Three-observer squirrel moment.

2022-08-042022-08-04

08/04/2022

Fall obedient plant is thinking about blooming! I think over the winter I’ll move it to closer to the bird bath to get more water.

One of the two leaf sennas has buds!!

The fluttermill primrose in the rock garden just keeps blooming!!

This “live forever” from Judy is budding.

I thought this was a plant hopper.

It’s insect poop. Technically this is called frass. 😏

This fuzzy plant came with some wild onions I got at Mom and Dad’s. I am hoping it might be snow on the prairie!

Paula said the mysterious pumpkin was ready.

While we were outside, we checked out the cushaw squash. Already longer than Paula’s arm to the elbow!!

Shackleton was neutral about the pumpkin.

Tuqu was interested in the pumpkin and smelled it carefully.

Shackleton was repelled by the fragrant Madhu ras cantaloupe. Tuqu tried to touch it.

Today’s two harvests plus the watermelon from the farm share.

2022-08-032022-08-03

08/02/2022 fall and winter greens starting now

Seeds, but you can’t see them. Basil you can see.

New root extending from plant window.

2022-07-312022-07-31

07/30/2022 pretty!

Good thing I’ve planted the borer resistant cushaw squash! It is a native moth and it sure is pretty.

A Madhu ras cantaloupe melon slipped its vine so we figured it was ready.

The only red yucca that’s sprouted from Judy’s seeds is doing good in its new spot. It has a third leaf now.

Briar found Shackleton. He was not as happy as she was about this.

The dog corner of the prairie

2022-07-222022-07-22

07/22/2022 more popcorn and the judgement of cats upon it

I think the latest glass gem popcorn (right) was harvested at a better time. The colors are brighter and the kernels are looser. The plant stalk was completely dry as well as the ear husk.

Tuqu wanted to rub her face on it.

Gram was only mildly intrigued.

Shackleton went under the bed to avoid responding to our survey.

Briar only had eyes for Shackleton.

2022-07-172022-07-17

Window weirdo

Shackleton pants in the plant window. It’s 103 F outside. I’m going to put a thermometer in there with him. He has an entire air conditioned house and he chooses here. Update: it’s only 90F in the window, not as bad as I thought. However, the sun has also moved far enough west that it may be shadier. Anyways, still a goofy decision for a fluffy polar explorer.

2022-07-162022-07-16

Catch-up on dinners

Couscous, roasted chicken, and roasted okra from farm share.

Noodles with sauce, I forget what kind, but it has garden onions and garden purple bell peppers in it.

Cheesy grits with farm share tomatoes, roast chicken, and roast okra.

Briar knows about the roast chicken. Mostly farm share veggies here, I can’t remember if garden onions involved?

Not sure if Shackleton is here for the chair or the chicken smells.

A veggie and chicken omelet with couscous and cilantro. Veggies included garden onions and garden purple bell peppers.