Monday, October 31, 2011

CHESTNUTS!!


It is chestnut harvest time!  Get them off the ground fast, or they'll be snagged by birds, skunks, raccoon, and foxes, all of who appreciate these wonderful nuts as much as we do.  Chestnuts are low in calories, and are the only nut with significant levels of vitamin C.


We have several of these beautiful trees on our property.    



First, we collect the spiny husks, called burrs, with a grabber and pile them up to dry.  



A roller ball also works well.



As you can see, the burrs are heavy with sharp spines.  We use heavy gloves when handling so we can prevent bloody hands from handling our nuts.  


When dried, the burrs open.  The chestnuts are hidden within the burrs. 


The good looking chestnuts are pulled out of the husks and dropped into a tub of water.  We add a few tablespoons of Clorox to kill any molds on the skin of the nut (bleach will evaporate naturally when the nuts are dried and won't affect the taste).


The water also separates the good nuts from the bad.  Bad nuts float.  These are skimmed out and discarded.  The good chestnuts are air-dried and put into cold storage (at 28 degrees) for cooking or planting.  Chestnuts can be frozen for up to 3 to 4 months.

If you don't already have one, consider a chestnut tree for your property - they are fast growers.  You'll be glad you did!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

ROASTING CHESTNUTS!!!


Warm up on those cold winter nights with some traditionally toasty chestnuts.   A roasted chestnut is tender and sweet.   Add a pinch of salt for a different taste!

Steps:

1.      Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
2.      Place a chestnut on a deep dish towel that is lying flat on a cutting board or countertop. This will allow the chestnut to "sink" into the dish towel and keeps it from rolling while you make the cuts in the next step.
3.      Use a sharp knife to cut an X into one side of the chestnut to allow the steam caused by roasting to escape, otherwise, the chestnut will explode.
4.      Place each chestnut with the cuts facing up onto the cookie sheet.
5.      Roast 20 to 30 minutes or until chestnuts are tender, easy to peel, golden brown in color, and the shells are beginning to open.
6.      Peel nuts when they are cool enough to handle, and serve with salt if desired.
7.      Enjoy!

Tips

       Start checking the chestnuts after twenty minutes for shells that are open and the insides look "golden".
       Use an oven mitt to remove the chestnuts from the cookie sheet.
       Use dry, firm chestnuts; very soft and very hard chestnuts might be rotted.
       An overcooked chestnut is dried out and hard.
       Hot chestnuts peel easier than cold ones.
       Cover the chestnuts with a towel to keep them warm while serving.
       Try a little salt on your chestnuts.
       If the inner skins do not come off easily, the chestnut is either undercooked or overcooked.

Warning

Be careful that you do not hurt yourself!  it is very easy to cut or stab yourself because the chestnut is round and tends to roll.  I strongly recommend you immobilize the chestnut with a dish towel, oven pad, oven mitt, or something that will keep the chestnut from rolling when cutting.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

LAW ENFORCEMENT SATURDAY!!!



I used to be in law enforcement, and I hold that service in high esteem.  There isn't enough praise for the men and women in uniform who enforce our laws.  It's a job of great rewards and frustrations, and I wouldn't trade my experiences for the world.

In Bandon's police report this week, we find that mom is always right.  A b.b. gun shooting incident involving juveniles hit the victim where?  The eye, of course!  We also see that our officers had to deal with drug arrests, missing persons, suicidal citizens, intoxicated drivers, and investigating numerous situations with suspicious conditions.  Just another patrol week in Bandon!

Next time you see our officers, give them a wave with more than one finger.  Forget about that traffic ticket you got, and think about all the stuff they have to face each and every day.  Their job has a component that most of ours don't - the daily risk of serious injury, or worse. 

Besides, you know you deserved the ticket.  You're just mad you got caught.





SHERIFF
The sheriff troop has to put up with a lot of poop.
Dealing with humanity is not the easiest thing, you see.
Chasing someone on the run is no fun when the bad guy has a gun.
High speed chase is a dangerous race, bad people run to save face.
When one who is wanted tries to flee, using the taser is the key.
With a radio in the car, they will not get far.
Some people say officers use too much force
(especially when it applies to them, of course!).
Some days duty is no fuss, but others are full of adrenaline rush.
Ten percent of our ‘clients’ do ninety percent of the law defiance.
Before we clear from the jail, the perp has already made bail.
Before we're done with the paper work, they've already let out the jerk.
To help out the good folk is not a joke.
To help those who have lost all hope and are at the end of the rope
is part of the work of the sheriff folk.
The thin blue line is very fine as the budgets are in the red line.
I'll end this rhyme with hope they get there in time.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

MAKE YOUR OWN APPLE CIDER!



As a kid we would go out into the apple orchard or pasture and pick apples.  This included the ones in the trees and on the ground.   We would take the boxes into town to a cider mill for pressing.  They would charge us for pressing and bottling the non-pasteurized juice. It was great and very tasty, and you can make it, too!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Monday Poetry - Top Shot Finale!!



One of my favorite shows is ending tomorrow!  Top Shot on the History Channel - FANTASTIC!!  You don't have to be a gun enthusiast to love this show - it's exciting, amazing, and always interesting!   Now, if you are a rifleman, you will be blown away by the skill tests these folks go through. 

If you haven't caught an episode, hunt it down - you'll be glad you did!

Here's a link to the Top Shot website:

http://www.history.com/shows/top-shot

The show is so good, it's moved me to prose...


TOP SHOT

An attempt to find a person who can control their mind.
There is no hocus pocus as it is all about focus.
The mind’s ability to block out what it’s not all about.
This is a lot of fun to see who is good with more than a gun.
Some people say it is no thrill to watch someone who could kill.
But by far, the sport is less dangerous than a car.
It is not a gun or a weapon that kills, it is people who kill.
We force good people to kill for our political will; for them it is not a thrill, but a social ill.
One on one competition is the idea of the mission;
too bad some media hype is due to political group tripe.
Best people of the land must learn to focus to the task at hand.
Whether it’s a doctor’s hand or a political demand; we the people must focus on the need of the land, it’s not about the money in your hand.
It is good to see people do their best because we have too much of the negative wrest.
All in all it’s fun to watch people who can overcome at all cost.
Some people don’t want to compete, for them the game is not very neat.
But people remember the most; those who don’t have to boast.
But stay in till the end to serve and defend.


Friday, October 21, 2011

FRIDAY FUN!!!!

In a week that has congressional Republicans doing back-flips to keep from giving Obama any credit for eliminating No-More Gaddafi (thanks, Daily Show!), and our elected leaders once again voting down the thing that they were sent to Washington to do (Jobs?  Who needs jobs?), where even the dead turn Lindsay Lohan away (when the morgue won't let you in, where do you go?), and yet another Tea Partier is exposed as a liar (yes, Florida, I'm talking about you!), it seems we could use a little levity.


Fun Movies:   5-second Films

I have an extremely short attention span.  So, imagine my delight at discovering "5-second films".  Here are two collections of the best of 5-second films.  Finally, a movie that I can stay awake to!   Sorry, but some of these are a little racy (but still hilarious!), so you've been warned!
Fun Science: Fish Farts



So finally, the phrase "talking out your butt" makes sense!  Scientists have found that a certain type of herring communicates through flatulence.  This herring flatulence creates a high-frequency signal that is understood by the other herring.  Hmmmm...so, do we now say, "he who dealt it, said it?"

Here's a link to the story from National Geographic!



Fun Parenting:  Embarrassing Our Children

One of the few joys of aging is being able to humiliate our grown up kids by reminding them how adorable they used to be.  I give you exhibits a, b, and c.  The only thing that keeps this from being hilarious is that none of you would recognize him today.  That, unfortunately, limits any humiliation to immediate family only.  Darn it!


Hey, baby!  Wanna go for a ride?
Nothing says cool like plaid!!


I'll pose anywhere for SweetTarts!


What do you mean, guilty?
I don't look guilty...RUN!!


Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Wasps!



It has been a season for wasps!  Have you noticed more of them around?  Areas in Europe have experienced an increase in wasp populations (and complaints) of more than 200% !  I'll be looking into some of the potential causes, and I'll let you know if this is something we can expect more of in the coming years.

Here is one of the biggest nests I've ever seen.  I found it on my property just a few weeks ago.


I'm going to use it as a pinata at the next visit from the grandkids.  That will be a holiday to remember!

Now, if I can just figure out how to slip the candy in past these guys....



Monday, October 17, 2011

Poetry Monday - Pests!



The Western Thatching Ants


A pest that keeps growing, but is controlled by mowing.

Don’t let these ants in your pants, as they will make you rant.

These mean little red clowns build tall thatch mounds.

If they build their mounds next to small trees, it will be the demise of the greenery.

On a farm, these ants do much harm and hopefully will not get into your barn.

To stop their flow, you need natural control.

Fire and mow helps to stem the flow, but bad chemicals are the only control.

You may think ants aren’t that bad, but when you get rid of them you feel very glad.





The western thatching ant is well known to Oregon farmers.  Their large mounds dot many of our pastures.  However, when they build close to crops, they become a big nuisance. They destroy young trees and bushes, and the only hope is eradication.  I'm against most forms of poison, but with these guys, it's the best hope. 

Here are two sights that give a bit more info:

Bug Guide - Close up photos of thatching ant

Pest Control discussion for thatching ant (scroll down mid-way thru page)






Sunday, October 16, 2011

Cranberry Liqueur

Oh, this one will keep you smiling!  It's especially great for holiday parties.  Actually, when you drink it, any day becomes a holiday AND a party!  And, with the cranberries, you can talk yourself into believing it's healthy.  Three jiggers of antioxidants, please...

2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 (12 oz.) pkg. fresh cranberries
3 cups vodka


1.      Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan, cook over medium heat 5 minutes or until sugar dissolves, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat, and cool completely.
2.      Place cranberries in a food processor, process until finely chopped.  Combine sugar mixture and cranberries in a large bowl, stir in vodka.  Mix well.
3.      Pour the vodka mixture into clean jars, secure with lids.  Let stand 3 weeks in a cool, dark place, shaking every other day.
4.      Strain the cranberry mixture through a cheesecloth-lined sieve into a bowl, and discard solids.  Carefully pour liqueur into clean bottles or jars.  Yield 4 ½ cups.


Note:  Liqueur can be stored refrigerated or at room temperature for up to a year.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Friday Fun!

Bandon Police Report

Two of my favorites from this week's police report:

8:08 pm, complaint about a man in a wheelchair creating a traffic hazard by riding down the center of Eighth Street.  Unable to locate.  

My wife points out that it was a male driver.  I point out that he sped off before the police got there.   This is how I imagine him...


1:46 am, suspicious conditions at...caller reports that a neighbor is fearful of being stabbed by two suspects; victim left house for the night.

For the night?!!?  For the NIGHT????   I'd give it at least a few days.  Maybe a week.  Are the suspects related to the caller?  This could make the holidays VERY awkward...




Now,  for something more exciting...

Enzymes
Enzymes fit good in rhymes
 as most humans have no clue how good they are for you.
Your body can use about 3,000 enzymes, but in these times
       the enzymes are hard to find.
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze your lives.
No proteins to catalyze means you cannot metabolize.
Your body can make some enzymes but your diet mostly supplies it.
Cells need enzymes to make them complete but heat to enzymes is not neat.
Greater than 103 degrees
        is not good for the enzymes in me.
If your body gets too hot for too long a time, your life is on the line - there go your enzymes.
If your food is heat-processed
       for enzymes this is not best.
Pasteurization is the process of this nation.
The heat puts enzymes through strife -
        it denatures the proteins that maintain life.
So if you drink processed pasteurized apple juice, you need to be a better sleuth.
Apple flavored sugar water does not keep the doctor away.  You need another way.
Cold processed or vacuum filtered drinks are fine,
         they kept their enzymes and now they're mine.
So the moral of this rhyme is your enzymes are needed to keep you fine.



P.S.  I love enzymes.  I really, really do.   If you want to learn to love them as much as I, I highly recommend the book ENZYMES, THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE by D. A. Lopez, R.M. Williams, and K. Miehlke (MDs).   You can get it on Amazon for $3.86 (at least, as of today's date).  My copy is dog-eared and marked up.  If that doesn't tell you how much fun I am, nothing will.   



Thursday, October 13, 2011

Organic Apple Juice With Healthy Enzymes!



If you want good quality, great tasting, apple juice, try this method.  It's healthier and delicious-ier!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Apples are Coming!


Seems like only yesterday (hmmm...it was...) that we were picking blueberries.   The cranberries are itchin' to be harvested, and now the darn apples are demanding they be picked, too! 



It's an abundance of riches, and one that I won't complain about!  Over the next few weeks, I'll be adding some great recipes - cider, pie, and anything else that comes to mind. But now, it's time for me to go correct my wife in how she's picking the apples.  That clunking sound you hear will be her bucket against the side of my head!


Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Cranberry Bread Recipe - One of the Best!



I'm sticking with the cranberry theme this week.  Here's one of my favorite recipes.  Easy, delicious, and healthy! 

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Make Your Own Organic Cranberry Juice

Fruit juices are healthy if they are (1) organic; (2) not heat treated; (3) stored in a frozen state; and (4) frozen in good plastic or glass containers (be sure to leave space for freezing expansion in both glass and plastic).

It's Cranberry Harvest Time!


Hello from Bandon!

It's fall, which means it's time to harvest our cranberry crop.  For those of you poor city folk who think the berries grow in cans, I'll give you a quick education.