monarda's recent activity
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
monarda Link ParentThank you! I’m super interested in trying it because it sounds good and easy :)Thank you! I’m super interested in trying it because it sounds good and easy :)
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
monarda Link ParentSo many questions! Do you add the broth last? Does the chicken ever stick to the bottom? You said 1 cup of broth to 1/2 cup of rice was too much liquid, would you cut the liquid in half?So many questions! Do you add the broth last? Does the chicken ever stick to the bottom? You said 1 cup of broth to 1/2 cup of rice was too much liquid, would you cut the liquid in half?
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Comment on What have you been eating, drinking, and cooking? in ~food
monarda LinkI’ve been on a chicken soup thing for the last couple of months with the Costco rotisserie chickens. I buy three of them, strip off most of the meat, throw the carcasses in the instant pot, cover...I’ve been on a chicken soup thing for the last couple of months with the Costco rotisserie chickens. I buy three of them, strip off most of the meat, throw the carcasses in the instant pot, cover with water (somewhere between 3-4 quarts) and cook for 45 minutes with a natural release. When it’s done, I strain it into a big pot, add any remaining water, if any, to get the liquid to 4 quarts, plus 1.5 pounds of carrots, and 2 cups of barley. When the barley and carrots are done, about 20 minutes, I add 1.5 pounds of the rotisserie chicken and a pound of kale, turn off the heat, stir, cover, and let sit for about 5 minutes. Without adding any seasoning it tastes good enough for us to eat on until it’s all gone, (I’m a lazy cook and often make large batches of things that we eat for all meals until all gone) but I wouldn’t call it delicious. The few times I’ve had MSG on hand has made it much yummier. The one thing I don’t like about it is the barley keeps expanding till it loses its texture. I could make the barley separately, but that would take up another pot, and I can’t be bothered.
The instant pot is a newish addition and, I really like it for my style of cooking, budget friendly and low effort. If anyone has any recipes for the instant pot that fit bill, I’d love to hear them. So far, besides the chicken soup, I’ve cooked beans for chili and soup and have made broth. We eat both vegetarian and non vegetarian meals. I hate chopping.
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Comment on TV Tuesdays Free Talk in ~tv
monarda LinkFinished the second season of One Piece. When I first started watching season 1, I had no idea what it was and had doubts that it would be something I like. It just seemed so ridiculous. It turns...Finished the second season of One Piece. When I first started watching season 1, I had no idea what it was and had doubts that it would be something I like. It just seemed so ridiculous. It turns out ridiculous was just what I was looking for. I like the sets, wardrobe and hair and makeup. They are so wild just like the acting. Everything seems over the top and yet it works. I also think they did a good job of walking the line of episodic within an arc. I’ve been getting tired of shows being 8-10 hour long movies as it makes it hard for me to make the commitment to sit down and watch something. This show manages to give me, the viewer, time to breathe in between episodes. My only complaint about One Piece is that it’s only eight episodes and there are years between seasons. Another thing I’m hating about modern tv.
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Comment on Tildes Gardening Group: Week 30/3/26 in ~hobbies
monarda Link Parent4x4s are an excellent idea, especially around the muckier areas. Thank you!4x4s are an excellent idea, especially around the muckier areas. Thank you!
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Comment on Tildes Gardening Group: Week 30/3/26 in ~hobbies
monarda Link ParentI have no idea. The way i took it in class made me think it was new, but I just looked it up and it happened in late 2023!I have no idea. The way i took it in class made me think it was new, but I just looked it up and it happened in late 2023!
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Comment on Tildes Gardening Group: Week 30/3/26 in ~hobbies
monarda Link ParentI found out through a class, and hadn’t realized that could happen either! I guess it will become more common as our climate changes. The only website I would think to have accurate data would be...I found out through a class, and hadn’t realized that could happen either! I guess it will become more common as our climate changes. The only website I would think to have accurate data would be the USDA.
Just use your zip code - USDA Link
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Comment on Tildes Gardening Group: Week 30/3/26 in ~hobbies
monarda Link ParentThat’s good to hear! I’m going to start looking for pallets. I’ve been slowly making my towards some downed trees that have turned into some beautiful moss covered “paths,” and that might be the...That’s good to hear! I’m going to start looking for pallets. I’ve been slowly making my towards some downed trees that have turned into some beautiful moss covered “paths,” and that might be the easiest way for me to get there. I’m excited to give it a go.
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Comment on Tildes Gardening Group: Week 30/3/26 in ~hobbies
monarda Link ParentWhat part of zone 9 are you in? I’m in a part of the Pacific Northwest that just went from zone 8b to zone 9.What part of zone 9 are you in? I’m in a part of the Pacific Northwest that just went from zone 8b to zone 9.
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Comment on Tildes Gardening Group: Week 30/3/26 in ~hobbies
monarda Link ParentI’ve seen things like that in parks and whatnot. I’ve often thought of using pallets because I can get them for free. I wonder how long they would lay in the wet? It sure would be quicker than the...I’ve seen things like that in parks and whatnot. I’ve often thought of using pallets because I can get them for free. I wonder how long they would lay in the wet? It sure would be quicker than the way I’m doing it!
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Comment on Tildes Gardening Group: Week 30/3/26 in ~hobbies
monarda Link ParentThere are plants you can grow that attract predatory insects! Coneflowers, dill, cilantro, yarrow, and sunflower are just a few. You can search for your area to learn what predators you’re trying...There are plants you can grow that attract predatory insects! Coneflowers, dill, cilantro, yarrow, and sunflower are just a few. You can search for your area to learn what predators you’re trying to attract and what plants attract them to get a list more tailored to your garden. As far as slugs go, I hate those things with a passion. Every few years during the spring, I lay down sluggo, and then through the summer, hand pick the ones that survive it in the mornings and evenings until they are under control.
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Comment on Tildes Gardening Group: Week 30/3/26 in ~hobbies
monarda Link ParentI’m super jealous of your Granny Smith! How big is it and how long do you think before it starts producing? When we bought this property there were already mature pear trees, but I don’t like...I’m super jealous of your Granny Smith! How big is it and how long do you think before it starts producing? When we bought this property there were already mature pear trees, but I don’t like pears. I really want to cut them down and grow apple in their place, but they produce so well that I loathe to end their lives.
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Comment on Tildes Gardening Group: Week 30/3/26 in ~hobbies
monarda LinkThis weekend I started rejuvenating my raised beds. Everything needs to be pulled out and replanted. I started with the bed that the strawberries will be moved to. They are all fairly new 4’x8’x3’...This weekend I started rejuvenating my raised beds. Everything needs to be pulled out and replanted. I started with the bed that the strawberries will be moved to. They are all fairly new 4’x8’x3’ beds, so as expected, the soil has settled quite a bit. I got the first bed cleaned up, topped up, and ready for the strawberries which I’ll transplant next weekend. I also started some work in the perennial bed. Mostly just popping out the larger weeds. It’s still frosty overnight here so I’m not ready to cut things back in case the bugs living in them are still asleep
The rest of the property is begging me to get on top of things before the spring explosion. Besides the unrelenting blackberry, I also have a morning glory and Japanese knotweed problem. It took me 10 years to remove the Japanese knotweed from one side of a small ravine but I don’t have any way to remove it from the other side as the bank is too steep. It sits over there mocking me and laying down seed. I really don’t know what to do.
I have a humongous English laurel hedge that has naturalized on my property making a freaking laurel forest. Through the years I’ve managed to knock a lot of that back, but it’s one tenacious shrub/tree that keeps popping back up from the roots as well as reseeding. Last year I started laying down paths through the area so it’s easier to get at, and nurturing some western hemlock and cedar saplings I found. I hope to get another 30’ of trail through there. I plant natives and near natives to the sides of the trail as go. I have to do raised trails because so much of that area is wet. If anyone has suggestion for trails through wetlands, I’d love to hear them. Currently, I’ve just been putting in wood chips on top of branches. When I come to an area where water is flowing, I make sure to lay my branches down in the direction of the flow so as not to dam it.
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Comment on Tildes Gardening Group: Week 30/3/26 in ~hobbies
monarda Link ParentWhat kind of pests are you experiencing?What kind of pests are you experiencing?
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Comment on Tildes Gardening Group: Week 24/3/26 in ~hobbies
monarda Link ParentMy holy basil leaves are lighter in color than other basils I have planted, and the leaves are flatter and serrated. Mine don’t start germinating till later in the season so I don’t have anything...My holy basil leaves are lighter in color than other basils I have planted, and the leaves are flatter and serrated. Mine don’t start germinating till later in the season so I don’t have anything to show you!
There are a lot of basil species, all in the genus Ocimum. The three we use most in the US are sweet basil, Ocimum basilicum, Thai basil, Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora, and Holy/Tulsi basil, Ocimum tenuiflorum. I think my holy basil looks more like Thai basil than sweet basil minus the purple stems. I’d look at photos of the three different kinds to compare leaf shapes and stems to narrow it down. Leaf color sometimes can be misleading because so many things can have an effect on it.
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Comment on Tildes Gardening Group: Week 24/3/26 in ~hobbies
monarda Link ParentI really like it! I was skeptical the first time it was offered to me. Now it’s my favorite winter tea, and one of my top teas in general. It pairs well with ginger too.I really like it! I was skeptical the first time it was offered to me. Now it’s my favorite winter tea, and one of my top teas in general. It pairs well with ginger too.
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Comment on Tildes Gardening Group: Week 24/3/26 in ~hobbies
monarda LinkI don’t really have a lot planned this year other than refreshing my strawberry bed, and growing a bunch of lemon grass. A few years ago I started a bunch of varieties of thyme and holy basil from...I don’t really have a lot planned this year other than refreshing my strawberry bed, and growing a bunch of lemon grass. A few years ago I started a bunch of varieties of thyme and holy basil from seed and planted out two beds. I’ve been pleasantly surprised that the holy basil continues to reseed enough to keep me in tea through most of the year. And the thyme continues to just go nuts giving more than enough for tea and cooking. So those two beds are pretty much taken care of. Strawberries are in a third, and I’ll put the lemongrass in the final one.
Our USDA hardiness zone changed from 8b to 9, so I’m going to see what new things I might be able to grow in the perennial garden. The garden is just a mishmash of things, and though I like a lot of the individual plants, it’s not really cohesive. I’m hoping this year to get more of a vision for it. I’ll finally catalogue what I actually have and draw up a plan for going forward.
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Comment on Would anyone be interested in an online gardening club? in ~hobbies
monarda LinkOregon State University is offering this online, 4 hour, on demand class for free right now Vegetable Gardening Course It’s a beginner course. I don’t think you need to be an Oregon resident to...Oregon State University is offering this online, 4 hour, on demand class for free right now Vegetable Gardening Course
It’s a beginner course. I don’t think you need to be an Oregon resident to take it.
They also have another free course available right now: Getting Started in Urban Agriculture This one is 6 hours.
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Comment on When you were first getting your driver's license, what were you afraid of? in ~transport
monarda LinkI started driving in Los Angeles in 1987 right before all those highway shootings due to road rage. I remember being extremely scared of driving for a number of years. Like you didn’t even need to...I started driving in Los Angeles in 1987 right before all those highway shootings due to road rage. I remember being extremely scared of driving for a number of years. Like you didn’t even need to be an asshole driver, some stray bullet could take you out. In retrospect, I think it’s affected my driving as a whole. I will rarely go head to head with an aggressive driver because I’m scared of who might behind that wheel. I do drive assertively, but there’s always these calculations going on in my head like - is it worth it.
The other thing that I’m scared of are steep hills with stops midway when driving a stick. I drove a stick in hilly cities for about 25 years and it never quite went away. I have an automatic now, so I don’t encounter that anymore.
Wow. I feel liked a kid! That looks so easy. I’m wondering how that would scale up. Next time I go to the store, I’m going to give this a go. I’ll report back (might take a few weeks).