Intermarkets' Privacy Policy Support
Donate to Ace of Spades HQ! Recent Entries
Daily Tech News 9 September 2024
Sunday Overnight Open Thread (9/8/24) Off Grid Edition Gun Thread: Second September Edition! Food Thread: Steak: Maybe The Government Won't Screw It Up! First-World Problems... The "Philadelphi Corridor" Is The Key To Gaza...Anyone Who Pressures Israel To Relinquish Their Control Wants Hamas To Survive Sunday Morning Book Thread - 09-08-2024 ["Perfessor" Squirrel] Daily Tech News 8 September 2024 Saturday Overnight Open Thread (9/7/24) Saturday Evening Movie Thread 09/07/2024 [TheJamesMadison] Absent Friends
Bandersnatch 2024
GnuBreed 2024 Captain Hate 2023 moon_over_vermont 2023 westminsterdogshow 2023 Ann Wilson(Empire1) 2022 Dave In Texas 2022 Jesse in D.C. 2022 OregonMuse 2022 redc1c4 2021 Tami 2021 Chavez the Hugo 2020 Ibguy 2020 Rickl 2019 Joffen 2014 AoSHQ Writers Group
A site for members of the Horde to post their stories seeking beta readers, editing help, brainstorming, and story ideas. Also to share links to potential publishing outlets, writing help sites, and videos posting tips to get published.
Contact OrangeEnt for info:
maildrop62 at proton dot me Cutting The Cord And Email Security
Moron Meet-Ups
|
« Christian Art And Music: Yeah You Win -CBD |
Main
| Don't Even Say It! - Niedermeyer's Dead Horse »
January 02, 2016
Saturday Gardening Thread: Hippo Gnu Bear [Y-not and KT]Y-not: Greeetings gardeners! No bear in this story, but here's a hippo and a gnu. Storms and accompanying floods continue to wreak havoc throughout much of the U.S. The Aqueduct Global Flood Analyzer maps the susceptibility of regions across the world to flooding: The map above shows the "flood protection level" within a 10-year window. Flood protection level describes how well protected any given area is against flood damage. There are different kinds of flood protection systems, including dams, levees, and so on, and each system can have different protection standards or capacities. For example, a 500-year flood protection system protects an area against anything equal to or smaller than a 500-year flood. A 500-year system is more robust, and therefore provides better protection, than a 100-year flood protection system. Here's the same analysis from a 100-year window: In case you've forgotten your second-grade geography, this map might help you glean the major contributor to flooding: River basins dominate the South and Midwest, particularly the Mighty Mississippi. Periodic river flooding can make for fertile soil, but also causes devastating floods. "Generally the larger the river, the longer it takes for the flooding cycle to run its course." I'm not sure how you protect your community against this: Flooding in the US midwest typically occurs in the spring as snowmelt swells rivers. Freezing weather in the region has added to the challenges as the waters have slowly started to recede from the St Louis area. Let's all say extra prayers tonight for the millions affected by these record floods. Now, here's KT: Dang. Tornadoes last week, big time flooding this week. Hope everyone is OK. Makes me think about staying safe and cozy, maybe with a homemade cookie. Kookie for Cookies? Although Christmas is over, I have been thinking about how to work cookies into the Saturday Gardening Thread. Maybe I could also include a savory winter dish with garden produce, or some booze in recognition of the Moron Lifestyle. By the way, CBD has posted some enticing content in the Food Thread lately. There have been some great ideas in the comments, too. THE COOKIE TREE Four related species are grown in the Mesoamerican Cloud Forest at the San Francisco Botanical Garden. One has flowers that smell like cherries. I do not know if M. grandiflora can take the combined heat and humidity of the southeast coast, but some related species live there. Sometimes people get these species confused. People also confuse the seed heads of some species with flowers - "those white petal-like things are actually the seed heads with white bracts - not petals." M. hibiscifolia has become a noxious weed in Hawaii. Dang. If you are going to have an alien invader, why not the one that smells like cookies? ANISE Has anybody been stuck with just a TV to help time pass because of flooding or other weather events? If so, have you ever wondered what the alien called Anise, from Stargate, would look like with bangs and a bottle of something alcoholic? Here ya go, Morons. Now on to the garden plant: Anise, featured in many holiday treats from around the world, is rated by Sunset for gardens in all continental western climates in the USA, and for Hawaii. It should do well in much of the East, too. It is a Mediterranean native that grows quickly in warm weather, preferring light soil and regular water. The plant first produces a clump of basal leaves that look sort of like cilantro leaves. Then feathery leaves and umbrella-shaped flower heads rise above the basal clump. The flowers produce seeds (actually 10-ribbed fruits) after about 4 months of warm weather. You can see the two leaf forms in the drawing below. Anise is thought by some to protect against the evil eye. I do not think it protects against certain evil-eyed people I can think of. But you never know when you might need some protection from another kind of evil eye. You might want to keep some anise on hand, just in case: Sunset advises starting anise plants indoors in cold climates, outdoors in early spring in mild-winter climates and in fall for spring harvest in hot-summer areas. "Plants are fairly wispy and look best in groups. They are taprooted and do not transplant easily once they begin to put on size". Young anise leaves can be used in salads. Outside Pride recommends coriander (cilantro) as a companion plant. Anise leaves might be a surprise in salsa if mistaken for cilantro, however. You can also use anise leaves to make a refreshing, naturally sweet tea, either fresh or dried. Many Christmas cookies and other bakery treats are made with anise extract or even anisette. But if you grow your own anise, you will probably want to choose a recipe that includes seeds, like Anise Seed Borracho Cookies, from the Rio Grande region of Texas. The seeds are soaked in rum overnight. Star anise, the spice used in many Asian dishes, is a truly tropical small tree. Its seeds have a flavor almost identical to that of anise. It is not grown in the USA, but some of its relatives are. There are garden cultivars of Florida Anise, a shrub with aromatic foliage. The flowers have a scent that some describe as resembling freshly-caught fish. It is hardier than it sounds. The foliage is toxic and therefore deer-resistant. CARAWAY Caraway is native to Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa. Like anise, the "seeds" we eat are actually fruits, but with 5 ridges instead of 10. It is used in a very wide variety of foods: starchy, savory or sweet. A guy named Caraway has been in the news lately. Has anybody ever watched him fight? Speaking of fighters, the Roman Meal Bread Company was built on the legend that Roman soldiers conquered Europe while eating large rations of wheat or rye. Seems out of step with the widespread emphasis on reducing gluten intake these days. But caraway may have played a surprising part in the diet of Roman soldiers, too. Caraway roots (like parsnips, but smaller) are edible and may have been the base of the Julius Caesar's "Chara". At one point, during the war with Pompey when Pompey thought he had Caesar in a tight spot because his men could not be supplied with food, Caesar had his men mix Caraway root with milk to make a form of bread. Caesar had his men throw loaves at Pompey's men, to show them that instead of starving, they had food to throw away. (In Weinmann, Johann Georg, 1769.) Anise is an annual, but caraway is a biennial. It can be planted in the fall or in the spring, depending on your climate. Fresh seed sprouts best. If you need to store seed, refrigeration or freezing is probably a good idea. The first year it forms a rosette of leaves 1 or 2 feet tall, resembling a carrot plant. The second year flowering stems shoot up above the plant to form seed heads. " . . easy to work into a border; I have mine growing among Astrantia Major "Roma" and Centaurea montana. When all three are in flower, it gives a lovely appearance of meadow." The roots are sweet like parsnips with a different flavor. In Norway, where caraway grows wild, work has been done to select caraway for larger roots. The slightly bitter leaves are also eaten in a traditional Norwegian soup and in salads. Caraway is used in certain alcoholic spirits, traditional at holiday celebrations in some countries. "On the surface, aquavit, a spirit whose dominant flavor is caraway seeds -- the nutty seed in rye bread -- seems a little peculiar. But is a caraway seed-based spirit really all that different from gin, a spirit whose dominant flavor is juniper berries?" You could make your own aquavit with caraway seeds you grow yourself. Kummel includes caraway, cumin and fennel. Most Americans probably think of caraway as a flavoring for bread, savory dishes or cheese. The only fresh sauerkraut I ever made included some grated carrots and caraway seeds along with the cabbage. I liked it a lot. Here is a recipe for Savoy cabbage with caraway seeds if you would like a hearty winter side dish. But what if you want an interesting cookie instead? Caraway and similar seeds were used in some of the first "Christmas Cookeys" in America. Yankee magazine features an updated lemon-glazed caraway Christmas cookie. Caraway folklore often relates to the ability of the seeds to keep animals, people and things from straying - possessions targeted by thieves, for example. That would be one reason to grow caraway yourself. If you try this, I hope the seeds keep your pigeons, your lover or your favorite possessions where you want them. Have a great New Year! Y-not: Thanks, KT! Speaking of Mississippi, how about a (silly) song? Related extra bonus video below:
| Recent Comments
Skip :
"Tech can be anywhere from 4 -4:45 ..."
Skip : "Blew timer for coffee, I think by my last comment ..." Rod Porkmore: "Pixy hates us. ..." Skip : "Wonder if just lost control of car or other reason ..." Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come: "Yeah: Even at 9 am on a Sunday, the bridge is full ..." Roaming Talks: "Can I simply say what a comfort to find someone wh ..." führerschein machen in polen: "Appreciating the time and effort you put into your ..." Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere [/i] [/b]: "On my way to Aldi yesterday, I noted that the brid ..." Skip : "Have to leave in about a hour, long commute again ..." Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere [/i] [/b]: "Morning, insomaniacals! I'm on a mission to wake ..." RickZ: "[i]I really believe that the Meak SHALL inherit th ..." Colin: "Win or loose, I assume Kamala will be person of th ..." Recent Entries
Daily Tech News 9 September 2024
Sunday Overnight Open Thread (9/8/24) Off Grid Edition Gun Thread: Second September Edition! Food Thread: Steak: Maybe The Government Won't Screw It Up! First-World Problems... The "Philadelphi Corridor" Is The Key To Gaza...Anyone Who Pressures Israel To Relinquish Their Control Wants Hamas To Survive Sunday Morning Book Thread - 09-08-2024 ["Perfessor" Squirrel] Daily Tech News 8 September 2024 Saturday Overnight Open Thread (9/7/24) Saturday Evening Movie Thread 09/07/2024 [TheJamesMadison] Search
Polls! Polls! Polls!
Frequently Asked Questions
The (Almost) Complete Paul Anka Integrity Kick
Primary Document: The Audio
Paul Anka Haiku Contest Announcement Integrity SAT's: Entrance Exam for Paul Anka's Band AllahPundit's Paul Anka 45's Collection AnkaPundit: Paul Anka Takes Over the Site for a Weekend (Continues through to Monday's postings) George Bush Slices Don Rumsfeld Like an F*ckin' Hammer Top Top Tens
Democratic Forays into Erotica New Shows On Gore's DNC/MTV Network Nicknames for Potatoes, By People Who Really Hate Potatoes Star Wars Euphemisms for Self-Abuse Signs You're at an Iraqi "Wedding Party" Signs Your Clown Has Gone Bad Signs That You, Geroge Michael, Should Probably Just Give It Up Signs of Hip-Hop Influence on John Kerry NYT Headlines Spinning Bush's Jobs Boom Things People Are More Likely to Say Than "Did You Hear What Al Franken Said Yesterday?" Signs that Paul Krugman Has Lost His Frickin' Mind All-Time Best NBA Players, According to Senator Robert Byrd Other Bad Things About the Jews, According to the Koran Signs That David Letterman Just Doesn't Care Anymore Examples of Bob Kerrey's Insufferable Racial Jackassery Signs Andy Rooney Is Going Senile Other Judgments Dick Clarke Made About Condi Rice Based on Her Appearance Collective Names for Groups of People John Kerry's Other Vietnam Super-Pets Cool Things About the XM8 Assault Rifle Media-Approved Facts About the Democrat Spy Changes to Make Christianity More "Inclusive" Secret John Kerry Senatorial Accomplishments John Edwards Campaign Excuses John Kerry Pick-Up Lines Changes Liberal Senator George Michell Will Make at Disney Torments in Dog-Hell Greatest Hitjobs
The Ace of Spades HQ Sex-for-Money Skankathon A D&D Guide to the Democratic Candidates Margaret Cho: Just Not Funny More Margaret Cho Abuse Margaret Cho: Still Not Funny Iraqi Prisoner Claims He Was Raped... By Woman Wonkette Announces "Morning Zoo" Format John Kerry's "Plan" Causes Surrender of Moqtada al-Sadr's Militia World Muslim Leaders Apologize for Nick Berg's Beheading Michael Moore Goes on Lunchtime Manhattan Death-Spree Milestone: Oliver Willis Posts 400th "Fake News Article" Referencing Britney Spears Liberal Economists Rue a "New Decade of Greed" Artificial Insouciance: Maureen Dowd's Word Processor Revolts Against Her Numbing Imbecility Intelligence Officials Eye Blogs for Tips They Done Found Us Out, Cletus: Intrepid Internet Detective Figures Out Our Master Plan Shock: Josh Marshall Almost Mentions Sarin Discovery in Iraq Leather-Clad Biker Freaks Terrorize Australian Town When Clinton Was President, Torture Was Cool What Wonkette Means When She Explains What Tina Brown Means Wonkette's Stand-Up Act Wankette HQ Gay-Rumors Du Jour Here's What's Bugging Me: Goose and Slider My Own Micah Wright Style Confession of Dishonesty Outraged "Conservatives" React to the FMA An On-Line Impression of Dennis Miller Having Sex with a Kodiak Bear The Story the Rightwing Media Refuses to Report! Our Lunch with David "Glengarry Glen Ross" Mamet The House of Love: Paul Krugman A Michael Moore Mystery (TM) The Dowd-O-Matic! Liberal Consistency and Other Myths Kepler's Laws of Liberal Media Bias John Kerry-- The Splunge! Candidate "Divisive" Politics & "Attacks on Patriotism" (very long) The Donkey ("The Raven" parody) |