I am a big fan of home gardening, and home canning. Home preserved foods can be made safely and successfully as long as they are done correctly. An excellent resource for home canning is from the USDA. (link below).
http://nchfp.uga.edu/publications/publications_usda.html
The 2013 promotional Grow with Grubbycup collectible buttons have arrived. Printed for the Grow with Us Hydroponics customer appreciation weekend – Boston Freedom Rally – Nickel City Wholesale Garden Supply (special thanks to General Hydroponics) tour. Hitting Rhode Island, Mass, New York, and maybe others before heading back to California to get back into the studio and record more episodes.
Almost half of the first run have already been given out, and only expect to have a pack or two for myself left at the end of the week.
The first six button set features
1) I love Herb the Wizard’s Magic Potions – I’m pretty sure I’m going to change these to either just I love Herb the Wizard or just go in a different direction with these.
2) Sancho Bonsai – I like these, and one of the more popular buttons. It is clean and easy to read. Will probably keep this design for the Sancho buttons at least for a while.
3) The original Grubbycup button with the growing G logo – The first and most popular of the Grubbycup promotional buttons.
4) A crop of the Grow with Grubbycup show logo – May change the text to be larger, and tweak the purple G.
5) Grow with Grubbycup green with heart – Cute, but will likely be replaced by a different button.
6) Admit One Alphred’s Dungeon Pass – I really like the concept here, but the script came out a little difficult to read. Will likely change for the next print run.
So Gentle Readers, why the extra details about the buttons? And why point out which ones will likely not be reprinted?
Because some folks collect them. Not because they will ever be worth any more than they are now, but just for fun. By posting a chronological record with photos, descriptions and comments, I hope to make it a little more fun for those folks.
Current plan is for the next set of buttons to be used as giveaways for Gentle Listeners, but still working on the details. Until then, if you see me, don’t be shy about walking up and asking me for a button, I try to keep at least a few in my pocket for just such an occasion, particularly at events (limited quantities, while supplies last).
If you haven’t already, check out my first post on Bleach Tie Dye here .
I had so much fun doing bleach tie dye last time, I thought I’d do it again. This time I grabbed some shirts I had picked up at a Maximum Yield Magazine trade show
For this batch, one of the shirts I selected was one from General Hydroponics (thank you GH). 100% cotton fabric works best, so check the label before you start.
The shirts are folded and tied. Folds in and around the center of the chest tend to do well. The GH shirt I believe is in the lower right corner.
The ratio I use for bleach tie dye is 1 cup of bleach to 3 cups of water. The bleach can damage surfaces and skin, so use gloves and care when handling.
Here you can see the dark blue has bleached out to reveal a maroon color. The change happens rapidly when it starts so do not leave unattended. Once the color has changed, rinse well with cool water, untie, and continue to rinse until the bleach has been removed.
This is how the General Hydroponics shirt came out. I think it is much more interesting than a “stock” shirt, and is now a one of a kind.
The above shirt was originally all black. I think it came out exceptionally well.
Especially for folks (like me) who are on a tight budget, a little beach tie dye can be a nice way to punch up your wardrobe. Just remember the process is not without risk, so the garment may wind up ruined, don’t risk what you can’t afford to lose.
I hope you have fun with it, and if you try it, please consider taking some photos of your results and posting them to the Grow with Grubbycup facebook page!
Peace, love and puka shells,
Grubbycup
by Lewis Carroll
‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!”
He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought —
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.
And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!
One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.
“And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!’
He chortled in his joy.
`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
He’s got some seeds to throw
He’ll keep you in the know
Variety to fame
So baby what’s his name?
He’s the man who knows
He’ll make your garden grow
Grubbycup’s his name
He’s a man, who’ll make a change.
Great big hugs to Mark Beauchmin and the amazing, talented, and very gentle Kelley Erickson, the talented artists behind Grubbycup’s Theme. If you are ever in the Rhode Island area, find out if she is playing anywhere and catch a performance (and while you are in the state, check out Hawk’s shop Grow With Us Hydroponics).
I admit it may be a bit more boastful than I would have written, but thankfully I had the good sense to stay out of things and let the gifted people do their thing. I met Hawk and Kelley at one of the Maximum Yield trade shows, and they are really nice people. We got to talking and one thing led to another, and this is the end result.
Gentle readers, I hope you like it, I know I do.
I walk down to the river on a pretty regular basis. Here are a couple of photos from today’s walk.
I’ve picked up the habit of walking down once or twice a day. I’ve always paced to think, and it helps keep me from spending the entire day in front of a keyboard.
It isn’t a long walk, and I mosey more than run, but I can tell the difference if I’ve skipped a couple of days. It might not be much in the way of exercise, but it does seem to help “get my blood moving” and clear my head some if I’m having a touch of writer’s block or something.
As I take my leisurely walk, more of a mosey than a sprint, it brings back memories of a trip I took to Australia. While it may not compare to the breathtaking landscapes and adventures Down Under, this simple routine has its own way of refreshing my mind. I remember the beaches of Australia vividly, especially those along the Gold Coast. The golden sands stretching for miles, kissed by the warm, crystal-clear waters of the Pacific Ocean. There was an undeniable connection between the rhythmic lapping of the waves and the soothing cadence of my steps during my walk.
One particularly unforgettable experience was the hot air balloon gold coast ride. Floating gently above the lush greenery and rolling hills, I felt a sense of tranquility and awe. The early morning sun cast a warm, golden glow over the landscape, and the world seemed to slow down, much like my unhurried walks today.
It isn’t at the most popular place on the river, on weekdays I’m frequently the only one around. When it is quiet, the animals will come out, and it is a peaceful place in the world to be.
