Category Archives: fun

Growing my own

March 19, 2020Farming, food, funsusanmanzke

Years ago, I sprouted seeds in my kitchen. With all that is going on, I decided to get started sprouting again.

I could have sprouted some seeds in a jar. I found simple directions on Google:

How to Grow Sprouts in a Jar

Place one to two tablespoons of seeds in your jar, and cover with approximately two inches of warm water. …
Drain the water, using a fine sieve or cheesecloth.
Rinse the seeds by adding water to the jar, swishing the seeds around, and draining.
Repeat twice a day, every day until your sprouts are the desired size.

I’d suggest you start with one teaspoon of seed for alfalfa seed. Here’s a link to growing alfalfa:
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Alfalfa-Sprouts

I didn’t start growing my alfalfa seeds in a jar. Like any kid, I wanted a ‘toy’ to play with and bought a sprouter online. Kitchen Crop VKP1200 Deluxe Kitchen Seed Sprouter, | 6″ Diameter Trays, 1 Oz Alfalfa Included

That ounce of alfalfa that’s included will take me a long way, but I also ordered some seed mixes.

Water drains from the top, through the sprouting levels and is caught in the lower green level. I’m to put the water through this straining system two to three times a day.

It’s like having another pet, though it is not a Chia Pet. It will grow edible sprouts. I’m not so sure about eating Chia sprouts. At least those packaged as a pet are not recommended to eat, but the ones that are sold as edible chia seeds are.

You’ll have to wait a few days to see how my project is growing.

Today I feel like a farmer again. Bob would be proud.

Hoarding!

March 13, 2020fun, Odds and endssusanmanzke

I couldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it for my self.

The shelves at the store were empty, even in Seymour!

I wasn’t in dire need, but I was concerned that none were left for the rest of us.

But then I found out it wasn’t as bad as I thought. Only toilet paper had been swept off the shelves.

Chocolate could still be found in all stores.

I will survive to eat chocolate another day.

(I understand all the hand sanitizers being bought up, but I really don’t understand the reason for the toilet paper hoarding.)

Cave Point, Door County

February 22, 2020fun, Wisconsinsusanmanzke

Rebecca and Andy asked me to join them for a day trip to Door County today. It seemed like a good idea, so I went along for the drive.

We were heading to Jacksonport to take Rebecca’s copper trees to a shop where she sells her artwork. On the way, we took a side trip to Cave Point County Park. The photos that follow were taken by Rebecca–I forgot my phone/camera on the kitchen table at home. We could have spent the whole day just watching Lake Michigan coat the Door County park.

Oops, how did that one slip in? We had lunch at the Shipwreck Brew Pub.
My drink was hard cider. It’s a good thing I wasn’t driving.

Cave Point was an extra special stop and highly recommended. But stay away from the slippery cliff edge especially during winter.

We also stopped at a couple of cheese and wine shops. The whole adventure took 5 1/2 hours. A perfect Saturday outing.

Meeting author Michael Perry

February 13, 2020Friends, fun, Memories, writingsusanmanzke

Snow last night almost kept me home. If it wasn’t for two good friends (Jennifer and Doris) I wouldn’t have gone to Green Bay to hear Michael Perry speak.

GreenStone’s Ladies Day Out is always around Valentine’s Day. I hesitated to be among all the hearts and flowers. Yet, I really wanted to hear Michael speak again.

Bob and I were both fans of Michael’s writings, enjoying his wit and wisdom. We really liked listening to his recorded books together.

It took a lot to force myself out of the house this morning, but I’m happy I did.

It wasn’t until the end of the morning that I had tears when two of my column readers came to me to give me hugs and send their sympathy about Bob. They were sweet ladies. I guess the hearts and flowers finally got to me.