Showing posts with label Go local. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Go local. Show all posts

Saturday, July 02, 2011

Blueberries and Jam



Blueberries June 2011

Walking up the gravel drive on a break away from the computer, out of no where, I thought to see how the blueberries were doing. I wanted to eat at least a bowl of them, maybe even ten. It actually was possible I might be able to eat a gallon or six or more. Maybe make a little jam. I thought that might be wishful thinking, with bird netting still waiting to be hung, and birds, well birds, and deer and raccoons and possibly other neighbor creatures always knew when any of the fruits, wild or cultivated were ripe and ready for picking.



Approaching the oldest of the blueberry bushes, each a good foot taller than I, the birds were on alert calling out in alarm, some daring to fly out toward me as I approached the bushes. It was easy to see why as I approached. There were berries ripe for picking. I turned away from the bushes toward the house where I a donned a hat and long sleeved shirt, choose a quart sized stainless bowl, then returned to the garden. Taking a moment to size up the ripe fruit, I went to one side and began picking. The air was filled with bird talk.

That bowl filled quickly and I returned to the house for a larger one. On the short walk back, blue jays and other winged ones swooped quickly in and out of the plants. As soon as the picking begun, I knew that I would have to pick whatever I could because once I walked away, those birds would be in there snatching for anything ripe for picking.




A few hours later, I‘d harvested enough blueberries to make one batch of jam plus a few pints for the pleasure of fresh eating. Since the birds were on to me, that was it for a while. That day onward, still uncovered, they consumed the berries as fast as they ripened. It is what I expected. Last year, well, last year, I recall enjoying maybe a single pint over the weeks of these plants season. The birds were not as generous with my sweet cherries. That is another story or a poem. There are a few berries coming on now, the bird covering is up, and I can take pleasure in eating a handful of two of warm from the branch berries. Smiling in remembrance as I sit down to blueberry rice waffle, , topped with fresh blueberry jam and a light sprinkling of fresh berries and a generous dollop of yoghurt, I am glad for whatever prompted me to check out the plants that day.

Patricia

© All rights reserved. For permission to reprint, contact Patricia at localfoodbloomington@gmail.com

Patricia C. Coleman (aka Food Fairy) has been exploring organic gardening and fruit cultivation of heirloom varieties since the mid 1970's. Early studies included sustainable agriculture practices of heirloom indigenous agricultural plants and practices that also introduced her to permaculture, edible landscaping and the Findhorn Garden. All work one does with love is a form of play and she enjoys many forms of play and is grateful for every opportunity she has to play in this glorious earth garden.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Violet Wine Fermentation Picture

I finally went through some of my images and found the picture I took of the beginning stages of fermentation for the Violet Wine I made this spring! I love the colors and all of the bubbles!



It took me so long to get the image here, the fermentation process has stopped and the wine is now waiting to be bottled!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

NAP Credits Now Available!

NAP Credits Now Available!

Mother Hubbard's Cupboard (Bloomington, Indiana) is pleased to announce that we have been awarded $9,765 in Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credits from the State of Indiana to give away to donors like you. This means that MHC has the opportunity to solicit $19,530 in contributions to support our food assistance program. Last year we sold out of NAP Tax Credits very early and we anticipate the same this year. Act now to take advantage of this great opportunity, and choose what your tax dollars support.

When you donate to MHC under the NAP Program, you can receive a credit against your state tax liability equal to 50% of your gift. This means that if you donate $1,000 you can take a $500 credit on your 2010 Indiana State Tax form.

Eligible donations must be $100 or more and dated July 1, 2010 or later. Forms are available on our website www.mhcfoodpantry.org.

Take advantage of the NAP Credit program and make a generous donation to help MHC provide 1,877 healthy bags of groceries to individuals in need every week. We thank you in advance for your commitment to help relieve hunger and improve nutrition for all people in our community.

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Local Food News Updated!

Greetings,

May this find you well and may all of us who have enough to eat and drink, be thankful!

Last week Local Food News - http://www.greendove.net/foodnews.htm was updated. Idon't know why there are gaps, but you may find somethings of interest there.

As always, please send us your local stories (going local to us extends to all of Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, as well as topics that are of concern to all of us.

Also, our sister, Indiana Holistic Health Network recently published a new Healing CRANE Newsletter at http://www.indianaholistichealth.net/newsletter.htm

A new recipe has also been added, Stovetop Quiche and will be posted here later. I will also be adding a picture to the Violet Wine article.

Thanks for your time.

Good Food and Good Water

Monday, June 28, 2010

IN FOOD News

Hello,

I hope you are embracing the beauty of this season and the increased opportunities to go-local! Take a walk through the Farmers Market, and not only will you be subjected to a visual feast, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy seeing so many people enjoying one another, as much as they are enjoying the produce surrounding them.

At the Great Unleashing back in April, interest groups were formed by people interested in pursuing the transition of our local food system. Click here for connections to Transition Bloomington and other Community Building resources

Local Food News, (#3 in a recent Google Search) of Local Food Bloomington (#1 search for a few years) has recently been updated on the web. Local Food Fairy looks forward to your comments, and appreciates your tax deductible donations in support of the oldest local food resource in Bloomington, Indiana.

In the current update, you will find something about Farmers and their fight against Monsanto, Dairy Labels, the Food Supply Chain, water, organic wines and much more.


As always, there is a lot happening in the area of local food. The Bloomington, Indiana Farmers markets are bustling with diverse beauty and delectable abundance.

For information about
Bloomington, IN Farmers Markets, CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture
Indiana Farmers Markets
Gardening Resources
Community Food Resources

Are you a market gardener, local food shopper, observer of local foods growth in the area? We want to hear from you. Send us pictures, reviews, stories, and other information about going local with food and all things connected to share.

Also, our sister, Indiana Holistic Health Network - http://www.indianaholistichealth.net, recently published a new Healing CRANE Newsletter which you may find of interest. http://www.indianaholistichealth.net/newsletter3-3.htm.

Bloomington, Indiana is a city going-local in many areas! Let us know what you are interested in and share what you know because it may be an inspiration to others.