After two weeks of virtually no exercise I've started off this week with a trip to the park followed by two days of snow shoveling. Tomorrow should be my first real snowshoeing since before the holidays, yippee!

Meanwhile I've ordered seeds including some Good King Henry (Lincolnshire Spinach, Poor Man's Asparagus
Chenopodium bonus-henricus, hardy perennial):

Cultivation Notes: Grown as a vegetable for centuries. Virtually pest and disease free. A very versatile plant historically used as a perpetual vegetable. About 30 plants will feed a family of four. Can be grown in full sun, but produces a better crop in light shade. Sow May ½cm (¼inch) deep, transplant 45cm x 38cm (18" x 15inches). Lift and divide when new growth occurs in Spring. Harvest flower buds in March, shoots from April to June, leaves as required.

Culinary Use: Use leaves as a spinach substitute, small quantities chopped in salads, flower buds like sprouting broccoli and blanched shoots as a substitute for asparagus.
Medical Use: laxative suitable for children, as a poultice for chronic sores, boils and abscesses. Not for people suffering from kidney complaints or rheumatism.



I've also ordered some cultures for making cottage cheese, fromage blanc, crème fraîche, kefir, buttermilk and mozzarella! I really want to do the workshop at The New England Cheesemaking Company but until I can I'm gonna see what I can do on my own. I've made yogurt for years and now I want to reduce the plastic containers for some of the other dairy products, especially since I have good local milk to work with. I can hardly wait...