Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Drying Leaves for Eco Printing


Drying Leaves for Eco Printing

Japanese maple leaves
black walnut leaves

eucalyptus leaves

birch leaves

oak leaves

native maple leaves

sumac leaves

more eucalyptus leaves

tulip tree (liriodendron) leaves

Not all leaves will print but these are some I've used.

Monday, September 14, 2026

Drying Flowers for Eco Printing


Drying Flowers for Eco Printing
single red zinnia

Planning on continuing with my journey of
eco printing on fabric with flowers and leaves.
This week here are a few flowers I'm drying.
Not all flowers will leave an indelible color.
There is much trial and error to eco printing.

Green Mum

Yellow Single Daisy

Purple Statice
Here's one of the T shirts I made for Gary several years ago.
Stay tuned for leaves I'm drying.

Sunday, September 13, 2026

Southern Style Collard Greens

 
Southern Style Collard Greens

1 very large bunch or 3 small bunches of collard greens
1 large yellow onion, chopped small
1 tablespoon olive oil to saute onion
4 garlic cloves minced
4 oz of smoked ham/other smoked meat cut into bite sized pieces
2 chicken stocks, 32 fl oz each
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried chipotle pepper
1 teaspoon dried ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons white vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
I'm making a large pot of collard greens southern style. We'll have some and freeze some for having at another time. Saute onion in olive oil, add cooked smoked meat, or continue to saute meat such as bacon till soft and cooked through. Remove stems from the collard greens and chop into bite sized pieces. Add stock, collard greens, spices, seasonings and bring to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer for at least 2 hours till collard green leaves are very soft. Adjust seasonings and serve with cornbread to sop up the pot liquor (what remains after boiling greens). Collard greens are very tasty and if you compare collard greens to kale, turnip, or mustard greens you will realize that collard greens are the best choice for nutritional value. 

Saturday, September 12, 2026

Sweet & Spicy Apple Celeriac Soup


I thawed out some apple celeriac soup for lunch.
It's nice not to have to cook every day.
Follow the link for the recipe.