Lulu Sims

Be careful what you lay on top of any metal heater! Well, Duh! Here's my toaster oven cautionary tale....

I got a call mid-morning one day at work saying my neighbor rescued my apartment, not to mention my two young felines, as the fire bells were going off and the thick smoke coming from my kitchen pointed to the culprit. My apt manager sounded mad asking me did I forget to shut off my toaster oven? I replied, No! I was too late to eat breakfast that morning, so I chugged some milk right from the jug and hurried on my way. The toaster oven was across the kitchen from the frig so I knew I hadn't messed up. The apt mgr seemed unsure! LOL

I left work early to see things for myself and to check on the kitties. The toaster oven was grandma's and I rarely used it being a fan of breakfast cereal and milk in those days. A wooden cutting board was always lying on top of the oven as it fit perfectly there. Of course I wouldn't leave it there while using the oven. The toaster oven got so hot that the wooden board was lucky to not have burst into flame. It became charred to the point of looking like it belonged in the fireplace. I was so grateful my neighbor was still at home to call for help!

The only thing I  could guess what happened is that the kitties in all their crazyness ran across the top of the oven. Three buttons to contol the oven temp were on top - I remember yellow, orange and red buttons that you would press for low, med or high power. These kitties were at a really playful stage of their lives. I remember I had to put child locks on the kitchen cabinets in that apt as they would climb in there being delighted making all that noise among the pots and pans. The milk jug I hadn't even put back into the frig in my haste to get to work that morning. Later, I found it laying on its side in the hallway going to the living room. It had puncture marks from kitty claws in a couple places. I am sure they had fun, and their fill of milk. At least until the fire department came!

I have no idea if these toaster ovens are made with more sensible controls now. Perhaps the older ones still haunt your local thrift shop? Anyway, be forewarned! These things surely do get hot!

Diego, you are wise to be cautious with tree cutting. I know a man who was no stranger to felling trees, but he was out one day by himself to cut a tree and sadly was killed by the falling tree. Listen to your heart, consider your strengths, and do not let money get in your way if you deem it better to have a professional clear what needs cleared. Take care, we'd like to see you here often!

If you haven't already, check with your county DCNR people. When I did a forester came our property and walked the acreage with us. He also handed out several Forest Stewardship circulars and a very detailed list of established foresters. These people are a goldmine of information.

At the edge of our woods we have successes with blueberries, honeyberries, and some vegetable garden plants hügelkultur style.

Good luck! Let us know how you do with establishing your forest garden.

Hey Jonie!
I want to thank you for posting your question as I learned a new word today: secateurs!

We just call them pruners or loppers depending on the sizes. The loppers are affectionately called clompers when tackling the bigger jobs like clearing multiflora roses that get too full of themselves. Love those things.

Jay is spot on with how I've come to use the different cutting tools.

Good luck!

Marisa Lee wrote:Once the Christmas decorations come down and the house is back to normal (later this week), I have a fun winter project to do, cold-stratifying seeds. A lot of native species up here need freeze-thaw cycles to break dormancy and germinate. So my project, or this phase of it, is to bring in all the milk jugs, ice cream buckets, and other clear containers people have been saving for me, cut them in half, mix up the brick of coconut coir with water and perlite in a big tub, and get the seeds started in those containers, label them, tape them back together - and then get them all back outside, of course.

TY for sharing this great method of cold-stratifying seeds. My freezer is jammed right now and some seed packets could fit in there but certainly not seeds packed in growth media. I'll be saving milk jugs these couple months. As far as freeze worthy labels what works best?

We're fond of putting the pan and lid that the thing was cooked in right in the fridge overnight. When reheated the next day and if serving for one, we eat right from the pan and call it Pioneer Style! One less dish to wash. If the pan is too big to fit then scrape the contents into a smaller mixing bowl and put small plate on top.

Showing some hesitancy about dogs tells me you shouldn't have a guard dog unless you can deal with your fears before getting the dog. In this case I would say get a puppy where you both can grow together. It's a commitment though. For sure.

If you can be available and present each and every day for months on end to train the pup and be able to show them that you are the boss, then go ahead! I was in this exact situation 4 years ago. We got a doodle which turns out to be so much poodle. Never thought I'd like one of those but she is my best friend and a great protector. Always lets me know if a truck is here, if someone at door, if something is amiss. Many breeds and mongrels will lay down their life for you when you are the head of the pack and have shown them the way of acceptable behavior. Loyalty, am I right?

Do you have any 'dog people' in your life who could show you a few things about training the pup? I would start asking around for tips on training. Best tip I ever got was seeing a breeder lay a pup down on its side and hold it there using a stern voice until the pup relented and gave up trying to get up. It had been showing too much aggressive play without listening to the owner and this was the best way to show it who was boss. A technique I used one time. Never needed it since!

Good luck!

Hey All!

I'm new here but I do enjoy chatting with other gardeners, so Hello!

I never get to the bean stage of Favas as I like to eat the greens. Pulling off leaves when young or snipping the tops as the plant grows is easy for sure. Simple to clean, just rinse off with water, pat dry or let air dry, and then skillet fry with a little butter. Add garlic and green onions if you like.

The nutty taste is wonderful! Does anyone else do this? Next growing season give it a try if you haven't!