Oregon Grape Blossoms - Yummy!

Blossoms ready to pick

Oregon Grape BUDs soon to bloom.

Did you know that the yellow blossoms of the Oregon Grape plants are edible?  The freshly picked blossoms have a tangy, slightly tart taste and a crunchy texture. They are delicious by itself or tossed in a fresh vegetable salad.   These blossoms may also be cooked.  You can stir fry the blossoms until the stems are soft or strip them off the stem using only the blossoms.

Although it's a bit late in the season, you might still find some freshly bloomed blossoms in the higher cooler elevations.

The video below is my first attempt at posting a video.  Sorry it is sideways, I could not figure out how to rotate it....I hope it doesn't give you a kinked neck..

Fiddle Heads Part 2: The Harvest

Chuck's Fiddle Head 5K walk.

Soaking in water.

Cut and cooked fiddle heads ready to put in jars.

The handful made 4 canning jars of processed fiddle heads!

It's not too late to gather fiddle heads.  Chuck took me for a 3 mile walk this Wednesday and I picked an armload of these fern shoots.  I wrapped them up in damp newspapers and put them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator to be processed the next day!  It will take me about a week to complete the processing and then the fern shoots will be edible.   I love tossing them into stirfry or making them Korean style.  These can be used like regular fern shoots.

Photo updates: Rhubarb, peas & arugula

Arugala is May started in egg cartons.

Rhubarb plant with deer netting.

Peas...hopefully the deer and slugs won't eat them.

Rhubarb in May...It's going to be difficult not picking any this year!

Here are some updated photos of topics in earlier blogs.  You can see how the plants have grown..
My next blog will be Fiddle Heads Part 2: The Harvest.

Basic Emergency Preparedness

Hah! and I thought Spring was here... what a teaser having a hot Friday and Saturday. ...sigh.  So here's a different topic in honor of weather.....

Winter freezes, floods and other extreme weather have people talking about future food prices, Home Preparedness and Food Storage.  Hopefully you have "3 Day - 72 hour" survival kits  in your house and vehicle containing the basics...water, food, medical, emergency blanket and such.  Information on "How to put a kit together" is readily available in the phone book, on the web and throughout the community...

Learn proper storage techniques

Once the 3 Day kits are assembled, have you considered thinking more long term preparedness?  How long would your current supply of food last?  If you are contemplating a 6, 9 or 12 months storage of food for the first time, I would suggest  Making the Best of Basics by James Talmage Stevens.  It is full of practical information.

Only store what your family is willing to eat.

"Store what you eat, Eat what you store, 

Use it or Lose it." 

When shopping in WinCo the other day, I noticed 2 and 5 gallon containers, screw top lids (the best and easiest lid to use), bucket openers and oxy packets for sale.  It is very interesting to see these products available in a grocery store rather than only through specialty Food Storage suppliers.
 Some benefits of proper preparedness and food storage include...saving money (buy bulk products when they are on sale), peace of mind (There are no emergencies for those who are prepared) and convenience (No need to make that midnight drive to the grocery store) as well as being able to entertain unexpected company or help a neighbor.  As you prepare to store your bulk food, my greatest word of wisdom is to use Common Sense 101!!!

Here are 2 fun links to stores that I've used: Lehmans , Azure Standard 

Contact me if you for questions about food storage basics. 

Spring Blossoms

I think Spring has finally arrived at TCO!  Weather is predicted to move into the 60's this week. 

Returning from vacation, I was greeted by returning swallows and an orchard of blossoms....

Asian Pear Blossoms

Pear Blossoms

Plum blossoms

Cherry Blossoms