Happy New Year!
Last year was kind of a whirlwind. As I watched the Space Needle light up like a sparkler on New Year’s Eve, I couldn’t quite believe that it was 2010. But it is indeed a new year and I have spent quite a bit of time considering what I want to do in my garden and kitchen in the weeks and months ahead.
Here are a few things I have up my sleeve:
Focus on Flavor. I don’t have the time or the space to grow all my own food. So, I’ve decided to devote myself to only growing the best tasting vegetable varieties (like ‘Satsuki Madori’ cucumbers) and growing them very well. Expect lots of posts on nerdy subjects like the organic matter content in soil and measuring Brix levels in fruits and vegetables.
Make Lots of Pizza. Every year my friend Maren picks a dish to perfect. For 12 months she experiments with different versions of the dish until she develops the ideal recipe. I totally love this idea! I’ve decided to try and perfect pizza because it is my very favorite thing to eat. Plus, my parents gave me a killer cast iron pizza pan/griddle for Christmas and I can’t wait to put it through the paces.
Can Every Month. I am participating in Tigress Can Jam—a canning challenge that 137 bloggers are undertaking in 2010. The idea is to get people canning and to share ideas about the craft. We’ll focus on preserving one fruit or vegetable each month. First up: citrus! I’m considering making something with blood oranges because they are so pretty or maybe kumquats because they are so cute.
Take More Pictures. I love my trusty Kodak point and shoot camera, but I’m frustrated by its limitations. So I’m taking the plunge and ordering a Nikon D90 from Amazon this week. Hooray! I’ll be posting pics on my Flickr page and in the Tigress Can Jam Flikr photo pool. If you have suggestions for gardening or cooking related photo pools that I should check out, please do send them my way.
Nice goals. All good things. I’m with you on the pizza thing. But I’m adding to it: hope to build a pizza oven in the garden this year. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm. As for canning, that’s always a great goal. In fact, I just used another jar of that Kumquat Marmalade: yum.
January 11th, 2010 at 4:47 pm.-= Lelo´s last blog ..But we already knew this, didn’t we? =-.
Yes, great goals. Thanks for sharing. I am going to order the cucumber seeds. Would love to hear what other planting ideas do you have? Wow, that pizza looks delicious!
January 11th, 2010 at 9:50 pmHappy New Year Willi!!! Ummmm, life sounds good and delicious in 2010. I grew those cukes last summer and they were amazing, do you have a seed source? Hope to see you soon – we’re due for a pastry date.
January 11th, 2010 at 11:53 pm.-= Lorene´s last blog ..Farmstay: day 3 and 4 =-.
Pizza? Did somebody say Pizza? I’m there!
Can’t wait to watch all the deliciousness in 2010. Sounds good!
January 12th, 2010 at 5:39 am.-= Theresa/GardenFreshLiving´s last blog ..Can Jam & Canning Across America =-.
i, for one, am excited about the nerdy organic-soil-content posts! it’s one of my current favorite subjects on the tuesday morning show.
January 12th, 2010 at 12:31 pm.-= angela´s last blog ..winter vegetable gougere– not exactly delicious, but maybe the beginning of something good? =-.
Lelo–I want a pizza oven too! But I don’t think it is in the cards this year. Have you seen the post my friend’s did about their earthen oven? They bake all sorts of stuff in it, including bread and cobbler!
http://www.digginfood.com/2009/07/backyard-earthen-oven/
Connie and Lorene–You can get ‘Satsuki Madori’ seed from Seeds of Change. You’ll love them and I will share my other planting ideas once I have a better idea of my plans.
Theresa–If you come to Seattle I’ll make you pizza! Sound like a deal?
Angela–Glad to hear there is anther soil nerd out there. Have any specific soil questions you want me to look into?
January 13th, 2010 at 1:51 pmthanks willi! i’m new to the whole thing. dug up part of the front lawn last spring and put in tomatoes just to have the experience. now i’m ready to get to know soil, and treat it wisely, so i’ll let you know if i come up with any specific questions!
January 13th, 2010 at 3:31 pm.-= angela´s last blog ..winter greens gratin– you should probably make this right away. =-.