One Year Old Today and a Cool Contest

I picked a pretty good batch of figs from the tree on the side of the house.  Looks like we are going to be putting some up in the next day or so.  The tree is loaded.  And this is just the first round! BTW that is not a "small" bowl either!  These things are super sweet and juicy too.... yummy.
 

I know someone having a blogoversary today!  One year ago today a friend of mine created a  fluffy pink and comfy place to go when everyone else was screaming about TEOTWAWKI.  A place removed from the hustle and bustle and the static around us.  Tales From The Scratching Post is a place sure to make you smile. Tap your toes to some good music, read a good joke, or find a super new recipe on her Food For Friday's post.  Congratulations to Tales From The Scratching Post on your first year.  I hope you have many more! Please stop in and check Felinae out when you have a chance.  Oh and tell her Sci says Hi!

On the subject of  good blogs ,I have been meaning to tell you about Wretha's for almost two weeks now. I've been reading her blog for as long as I can remember. Wretha's Adventures Living 100% OffGrid.  The name says it all!  Even if she weren't doing a give-away I would suggest her site. But hey.... everyone loves a contest right?
 She and her husband were interviewed awhile back and are now going to be "a chapter" in a new book by Nick Rosen called  "off the grid".  Very cool!  For those of you who are bloggers, she is also doing a give away of said book, so pop over and put in your entries before July 31st.  Click here to learn more about it. http://wretha.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-wonderful-guest-book-giveaway.html


Mars is starting a small fall garden this year.  He has been working the dirt and getting the spot(s) ready. He has started some seeds as well. I may get to can some tomato's this year after all!  I'm going to keep my fingers crossed!  I've used the last of the tomato's from last year and so far haven't had any to put up for this year. I don't have many store bought cans in food storage either since I had been counting on the home-canned ones for that.

Speaking of canning, I recently ran across a site that I had all but forgotten about.  The National Center for Home Food Preservation has a free self paced online canning class.  I took this a couple of years ago and really learned alot.  If you are new to canning, check them out.  There is alot of good information there.  I know the course helped me to become more comfortable with the whole canning process. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the registration link to get started on your free canning classes!