Christmas Cookies

This is what I made for my Christmas gifts! Homemade goodies, and they're ALL Gluten-Free! From top left, Macadamia toffee and chocolate, chocolate german bars, Coconut toffee cookies, TD cookies (Thin & Delicious). yummy

By the Christmas Tree 2009

Feliz Navidad & A very Happy New Years!

Mother's Day

Compost Bins

May 2009 - For a long time now, I've wanted to start a compost bin and finally I've got the approval of my cousin to set one up in the back yard. Ideally, I wanted to have the "Three bin" system, but the two bins will do...for now.

I purchased some rebars (6 pcs - 4' of 1/2" diameter) and hammered them into the ground, about 8-12 inches down where the corners of the compost bin are located. I found some plastic material that can be used for the fencing. Compost bins need to be able to breathe. What a great find, free and usable. It took some maneuvering of the fencing to slide through the rebars but it looks like it'll hold up, I hope. When conditions are ideal for a compost bin, the inside of the bin can get up to 150 degrees farenheit and 'cook' fast. The compost can take be ready as soon as 2 months, depending on the conditions. Weather, water, volume, and materials determines the temperature inside the compost bin.

2009 April Garden update

The cilantro is doing great! I need to start harvesting. I have carrots, a cherry tomato that come up every year growing in the middle of the garlic and carrots. I think I'm going to leave that there. The three grow well together. My green onions seem to be doing ok as well as my green beans. I made a teepee like trellis for the green beans to climb. I have more tomoto plants in front of the green beens.

2009 April Garden update pictures

Spring Garden 2009 - April

I turned over the soil but didn't add any compost or amending soil, big mistake! The clay type soil was very dense for the seedling to sprout and It didn't drain well.

I also tried to seperate each set of vegetables with some type of irrigation. I don't know how I came up with that design, but it seemed to work well. I just leave the hose at a particular spot and the water will get through the canals that I've dug up for irrigation.