This is the weekend so I want to post a positive message. Something to look forward to - Summer!

Beside building a fence between us and our nightmare neighbours, my wife and I are wanting to build a workshop for my wood working. I'm planning on a 20x20 foot building on the south west part of our property. In addition to wood working I am planning on building a brick wood oven in there for baking pizza.
I love pizza.
This will allow me to burn my scrap wood and collect and save the ash. Hard wood ash is useful for creating lye (a main ingredient for home made soap); the ash will also help add potassium to the gardens or be tossed in the compost.
So the pizza oven will allow me to cook pizza (in 90 seconds) and breads without depending on anyone but my own supply of wood. If the electrical grid goes down for a couple days I still can cook pizza and bread. But to be honest it is more about getting back to the roots of society. Ancient peoples used 'pizza' ovens to bake bread and having tasted it I must say it is far superior to oven baked.
But in case of emergency a lot of guests I will be able to put 4 personal size pizzas in every minute and a half. Not too bad. It is the first portion of my desired outdoor kitchen.

Another part of 'the kitchen' is the root cellar. I don't know if it's going to be possible to build this year but it would be good to have as our gardens expand and as a good place to age cheese. If we have a 10x5 bed of potatoes we will have a lot of surplus for the winter; where will we keep them!?
Because of our high water table it won't be possible to build the cellar under the ground. I will have to build it out of concrete and pile several feet of dirt around/above it. This will also make for a good slide hill for my boy during winter. ;)

I got the books I ordered from Amazon and early I might add.
2 books were for my son, who is due May 16th; the other is a book on gardening for BEER.
It's called the Homebrewer's Garden and I already read it cover to cover. I'm really looking forward to adding beer supplies to my garden this year. I've found another Manitoban who grows hops and is going to sell me some roots for $5 each. I'm buying 6 of them (Hallertau, Cascade, Nugget, Stirling, Fuggle and Mt. Hood varieties) which will give me a good variety of hops to use in my beers for many years to come. I will also be able to sell my own hop roots in a year or two.
Now, on average, if I were to buy hops from the store I would spend about $5 on each batch. So this puts me 6 batches of beer in the hole. BUT in 2-3 years when the plants have established their own root systems I hope to get around 24-30 batches of hops. If I am able to sell some roots (called Rhyzomes) then I will have paid off the costs associated with growing my own.
The unseen but tasted advantage is that my home grown hops will be much fresher than the store bought ones and will allow me to brew tastier beers. :D

Alas, that will not be till later on in the year. Or next.

NOT IT!!!!

Life isn't Phar(aoh)

Drudge Reports that Egypt is on the brink of 'civil' war. It goes on to claim the people are unhappy about corruption and leadership issues. It's not till the very bottom of the report do they mention the words 'unemployment' and 'surging prices'.

Maybe you have seen video footage and the people are shouting in an Arabic language and holding signs with Arabic writing on them; none of which I can understand.


They are wanting food. Wheat, sugar, rice, cooking oils. Prices have gone up 400% in a country where most people live on $2 a day.

The government is being blamed for not doing it's job. It's job is to look after the well being of the people; in good times and bad. During good times the government lined it's own pockets and took care of its self - and in bad times.... nothing has changed.
You know it's bad when the Christians and the Muslims join forces together  to fight something.

THIS JUST IN: Police members are removing their suits and joining the protesters.

 Read more here

Let me tell you how the Egyptian government works; but I'll change the names so we all understand easier and put it into perspective.
It's basically the rich wealth families that are in charge. The current President has been in office for 30 years and is corrupt to the core; he's from the Bush family. The military advisors change seats but usually come from the Clinton family. The guy in charge of the food distribution system is a Kennedy. The bank guys are Rothchilds.

Only the rich from the same few families. Everyone else is too poor to qualify.

The same rich clowns are make a bundle while everyone else suffers and starves. Just like America!


Egypt is going though a drought. One of their major importers (Salutes to 'Major Importers' sir) for grains was Russia - and Russia has banned grain exports because they don't have enough for themselves. That's right, the big country of Russia is having problems feeding it's own people. Shhh. Don't tell anyone I told you.

So that leaves Egypt, the land of Pharaohs, fending for itself.

    The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) recent announcement that the world food price index now surpasses the peak level achieved in the food price spike in 2007-08 raises serious concerns about the ability of the world to feed itself over the next several years.                                                      Read more: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/health/Canada+must+take+lead+solving+food+crisis/4182907/story.html#ixzz1CL1EIarp

The Food Agriculture organisation has admitted they expects worldwide food riots this year.

Worldwide.

Riots.

Could Canada & USA descend into food riots this year, like the FAO suggests?
 
Don't think it won't happen here, in North America.
USA imports 60% of it's food and exports 40%.
USA is over $13 trillion dollars Broke. The individual States are starting to file for bankruptcy. Now cities and towns are unable to fund social programs (like snow remove and repairing roads, police, medical, fire) because they do not have the money. And the individual 'tax payer' is broke and hanging onto their homes by a thread, while the banks try and reposes their homes. They end up living in the tent cities no one likes to talk about and the government doesn't have to pay for.

And think of all the peoples money they used to bail out the same banks that turned around and now take the peoples homes!!! Ouch.

But look at the people in charge of the country. Look at the Bush family, Clinton, Rothchilds and Kennedy's. Look how Obama $1.5 million on ONE of his Hawaiian vacations. He goes every couple month; at tax payer expense.
Most of those clowns are related to each other through marrage. Talk about fixing the system to work in their favour. It's just like Egypt rich clowns controlling everything! CBS did a video on this...

 So if USA can not afford to buy 60% of the food it imports it will have to learn to live off the 40% it normally exports.

If USA can't afford to pay it's dept back well... the Chinese are going to come a knocking.

China is growing FAST and needs a lot more food. They are importing food and oil like crazy. They are stocking up and building a nice surplus for when times get tough. They even match or surpass the USA for military strength.

Anyone remember the bible story about Joseph in Egypt?

    Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, yet rose to become the most powerful man in Egypt next to the Pharaoh, by saving many lives from the seven year famine. -wikipedia

What else happened during the famine? Other cities and peoples sold themselves and everything they owned to Egypt for food.

Egypt took over.

So I started talking about Egypt going into civil war because the people have nothing.
Then I talked about USA and it's illusion of having something.
Then I mentioned China needing more and having the ability to take it.
And I brought it right back to Egypt's ancient solution.

China is the new Egypt.
Wars are fought over resources.

Food is a motivating resource.

How are your resources?

Hop to a different beat

So I've ordered some hops today. I won't get them till closer to planting season in early May.
I'm going to start out with 6; unless I come across a few different varieties like Saaz, Ultra or Crystal

I've decided to go with Hallertau, Cascade, Nugget, Stirling, Fuggle and Mt. Hood. These seemed to be a good choice for their bittering and aroma; as well alpha acid levels. I can brew a variety of lager and ales with these.
I won't likely get a good crop from these till the 2nd or 3rd year. But they can grow well over 25 feet a year before being harvested and hacked back to the root for winter. So I will be building a special trellis system for them. I'm planning on going 7 feet vertical and 10 feet horizontal; creating a covered area to put a chair and enjoy a cold beverage under.

On either side of the hop trellis I will have my grape vines. I started 2 last summer, Beta and Noir, and plan to add another 4-6 this year. Not just for wine making but freshly picked grapes are a nice snack and can also be made into juice.

I also grow a lot of strawberries, blueberries, cranberries and have 2 apple trees. Along with my rhubarb (that the neighbours dog butchered last year) I have a nice selection of fruits!


The strawberries are a crazy grower. I planted 6 plants last summer and by the end they had multiplied (with a little help) and I had well over 20 in one 5x5" raised bed. Since my wife and I both really enjoy them we might put another bed together for them. I'd love to make a strawberry wine and some jams with them this year.

My apple trees should start to really grow and blossom this year. They were both planted last year and should start producing small quantities this year. I fed them good fertiliser last year to start them right and planted a few nitrate fixing legume plants around the base. Now that the legumes are dead the roots will compost and leave lots of good tree food in the soil. Nom nom nom.
I also gave the trees a few good compost teas I made up. Compost teas really give plants a boost without the need for chemical fertilisers.

All these fruit will be great mashed up as baby food! :D

So my fruits are going to be better this year! Yea! This is year 2 of the garden. It's going to be bigger, better and bolder than last year AND since food prices are going up it will save me more money this year.

12 meals till anarchy.

 So we are 12 meals away from anarchy.
'We' being North Americans.
Our government regulated food stores have been depleted to keep the cost of foods down. Now that they are gone we are going to see the costs rise to levels that reflect most of the world.

How does that make you feel? In 12 meals you could start going hungry and then starving to death?
Due to last years droughts and floods there are over 30 countries imposing export bans; like Russia. Russia was the 3rd largest exporter of wheat. They imposed a 3 month ban last year.... they still haven't lifted it. Infact they are now IMPORTING wheat. That brings the cost we pay up.
How about Florida? They got hit with some winter weather that has really done bad damage to their orange and tomato farms. Nearly wiped them out. What is that going to do to the cost of Oranges and Tomatoes? Price will go up. Pizza isn't pizza without tomato sauce. Prices will go up. Orange juice prices; go up. Who pays more.
I do. Or I stop buying orange/tomato products.

12 meals. That's 4 days.
Where do I get that figure? Well I worked as a baker at a grocery store for a couple years. A big one. Every 2 days we got 4 trailer loads of food in and it was stocked direct to the shelves. There is no back room storage anymore. I remember when the east coast power went down for 3 days. Within 2 hours we were sold out of water, bread and milk. Hows that for a reflection on society. Everyone runs out and buys bread and water. We still had peanut butter and jam. OMG the world is ending and I want to eat like a 3rd world prisoner!!!
By the end of the day the shelves were picked pretty raw. Then I had 2 nice days off till the power returned. I try not to think how things would have looked if the power didn't turn on. Since all the bread and water was gone what will I eat!?

So 12 meals. If I could choose the 12 meals I would eat; before I starve to death. I would choose some pizza, steak, chines food, more pizza, mashed potatoes, lasagnia, fried rice, corn on the cob with extra butter, stir-fried veggies, fruit smoothies, popcorn, pizza again, roast chicken, mushroom soup, bacon and eggs, actually bacon on everything; I'd be drinking beer, fruit juice, cola and coffee. I'd even have bread and water.

But then, after my gluttonous rage who starves to death with their family and friends? I do.

Bummer.

Today I started making another batch of cheese. The one I made yesterday is drying and looks really cheese like. I'm going to make a pizza from it. Today's batch of cheese is going to be a marble cheddar. I'll probably coat it in wax and let it age for a month. By that time I'll have a couple dozen more blocks of cheese ageing; maybe 3 months worth.
As soon as spring arrives I'll be setting up my garden expansion. I want to atleast double last years garden. I will have about 12-15 tomato plants. More than enough to eat and store some away for winter.
I guess I won't be paying more for tomato's this year.
I'm also startin a 10x10 foot wheat section this year. I'm going to try and grow my own for fresh bread and pizza dough. Gotta have pizza.
I'm also growing most of the normal pizza toppings, onions, peppers, garlic, mushrooms, etc.
Who has cheap and fresh pizza to eat this year!? I do.
In fact I'm going to be growing as much of my '12 days till anarchy' food as I can. In a better world I could grow bacon. I'm not in the position to raise pigs - yet. But at least I will have other food items I can maybe trade for pig meat.

Since I can make my own bread. And I have a well for water. I guess this year is going to be great no matter what happens.

What are you doing to make you life taste better?

Not it!

Ok. So I claimed it. I'm not it. Because I don't want to be it. "It" means I was last to react to being 'it' and now I am suffering the consequences of my fast reaction.
So I am not it.

That means more than just claiming the right. It means doing.
So what am I 'doing' to be "not it".
Well right now as I type I am waiting for my milk to convert to a curds. And soon enough to become cheese. Chedder to be exact. That is my way of being not 'it'.
I also just finished bottling my own home brewed beer (Honey Brown Lager) - in 2 weeks I can drink it - I've been waiting 3 months already.

What or who is it? 'It' is the person paying 4 times the price for groceries in a couple months. 'It' is the person who is still eating contaminated foods grown by people who don't care what you are eating or if it makes you sick or not (because they grown food for their own families separate from what they grow for you)
'It' is the person waiting for someone else to save them when times get tough or even if they don't.

So this is me. Saving myself. Being 'not it'. How lucky.
Now I have to deal with the responsibilities and workload it entails.
Lucky me; I am on my 3rd beer. They cost me $0.18 a can compared to $3.00 for store bought. Mine tastes better. How lucky.

It is part of my chore. Being not it is a lot of work. But it can also be a lot of fun. Cheers to that.
I decided several years ago that I needed to keep learning new things. That developed and evolved into a need to support myself.
To become more.

So now I choose 3 new skills to learn every year and I keep working on them till I... well I just keep working on them.  Last year I wanted to learn how to brew my own beer and I did. Now I am learning how to grow my own grains and hops to brew my own beer from scratch. Growing everything I need in my yard to brew beer. I will get my cost down to $0.10 a can, I think. Maybe less. And it tastes so good! I enjoy learning and brewing it!!!

But being 'not it' is a lot of work. It means you understand you are better than you thought and can produce for yourself more than you thought. It is a lot of work. But it is worth it.
If you stop, give up, take a break than... you are it. And when life sends trouble your way then you have to beg and look for someone else (who isn't it) to help you. To give you scrapes.

Bummer.

Well I am not it. And the cheese i mentioned when I started this; it's looking really good. 25 hours from now it will be shredded on a pizza.

Well. I'm not it. My pregnant wise isn't 'it'. We are here to help ourselves and others not be it.
And I am starting -this year- with Pizza.
Pizza to save the world.

1 of my 3 goals this year is to make pizza from scratch; from my own property (minus the pepperoni). I'm already making my own cheese. I have started a garden last year for a lot of the veggies. I am also starting my own mushroom's. and growing my own grains. Milled wheat for pizza and 2/6 row barley for beer. If I can make my own pizza I can make a lot more.

But that is just the start of the journey and this is my introduction.

Thanks for reading.

TAG!!!!
Are you it?