What's in the Oven

The clock on the wall tells me it's about time to get ready for work, but before I begin my ablutions, let me share some things that are coming down the road for IOU NO MORE and Sam Burton Presents.

First, we have a brand new product that will be available later today. IOU NO MORE is now an ebook as well as a traditional paperback. The electronic version has an expanded appendix which includes reproducible forms (and a larger set of forms than in the paperback version). The "New IOU NO MORE" also includes the details of our referral program. The referral program looks like, and even pays out like, a traditional Multi Level Marketing plan, with one exception, you don't have to pay to participate. Everyone who purchases a book, ebook or starter kit from our shopping cart is eligible.

Speaking of the shopping cart, it's in the process of receiveing a makeover. Soon, customers will be able to track their purchases and will be able to directly download certain products rather than wait for the mail or email.

I am currently writing a spin off book, "DEBT BEAT DADS: Common Sense Financial and Life Advice for Men (and the women who love them). It will take the principles of IOU NO MORE and add some content especially geared towards men (and their wives).

I also have outlined a project, probably an ebook, on Vegetable Gardening Basics those who don't live in the country. Brittan and I have learned so much the last few years and we want to share it with others who want to eat better and be more self sufficient, but who are stuck in suburbia. It doesn't yet have a name. How about "Vegieburbia" or "The Suburban Gardener"? I'm open to suggestions. If you come up with the title for me, I'll give you a copy of the book and mention you in the acknowledgements.

I'm also working away on my book proposal for "Life Lessons from a Lead Dog". That book and the study materials that could spin off from it, has the potential to make a big impact in the and on the world.

Ok, enough commercials for now. Must get moving.

New Magazine Coming

Brittan and I are long time subscribers to, and even longer time readers of, "Hobby Farms Magazine" . Later this month, about the 26th, the editors of that publication will be releasing the first issue of "Urban Farm", a magazine designed especially for those of us stuck in town, but committed to self sufficiency, growing our own produce and reaping the rewards and savings of taking responsibility for our lives. I am very much looking forward to the launch of this magazine. I sure hope the publishers read this post and give me a discount on my subscription!

I Love My Garden

It's hard for me to describe how much I enjoy growing fruits and vegetables. Of course, the money saving is part of it. The fresher, healthier food is part of it. The exercise is part of it. But there is something healing, even spiritual that happens when I work to grow things or deal with animals and livestock. I have subsistence, sustainable farming in my blood. All I'm missing is the farm.

I hate my camera phone. I really should get myself a real camera, but I'm including some seriously over exposed pics of cantaloupe, cherry tomatoes, summer squash and some yellow hot peppers I don't recognize. They are part of a "Caribbean Mix" of pepper seeds. I can assure you they are sweet and they are HOT!

Big Day in the Garden

Finally, sunny and warm on a Saturday. We made the most of it. First thing, we pulled all the tomato and pepper plants outside to get some real sunlight and breeze. For those who don't know, tomatoes need their leaves ruffled to help them thicken up. Nothing does that better than a breeze. When they are very small in the house, we would run our hands over the upper leaves a few times a day to simulate the wind. But I love seeing them soak up the sunshine and and mother nature's own gentle breath.

After that, we got to work completing some of our raised beds. We got three finished and topped off all the others that had settled a bit. I shoveled three cubic yards of dirt today. I assure you, that's a bunch.

Following the raised bed work, I took the weed eater and ran it around all the raised beds and around the perimeter of the back yard fence.

I had hoped to mow as well, but ran out of time. Besides, Brittan and I wanted to go to the movies.

Tomorrow, after Church, we'll get the stain for the raised beds. They were built last spring and the wood has aged and has that gray look that I don't like. We will stain them to give the garden more visual appeal.

Herb Garden

Brittan and I planted our herb garden yesterday. We decided to make it an inside 'kitchen garden', meaning, the majority of herbs will be grown in a space in our kitchen. We took a couple of the grow lights from the basement and put them up under one of our cabinets. We went to the Kingdom of Wal-Mart and bought some colorful pots, then went to work planting our seeds. Because we wanted something bright to add visual interest, we paid a little more for the pots than we normally would. There are quite a few herb sized plastic pots (6 to 8 inch) that can be obtained for less than $5. Another great option is to cut milk jugs to the size you want, or to use things like sour cream or cottage cheese containers. Simply poke some drainage holes in the bottom, place a saucer or something under them to catch any water that drains out, and away you go.

Even with spending a little extra for colorful pots, we were able to plant 10 different herbs under grow lights for less money than growing 7 herbs in one of those fancy 'aero garden' thingys.

Don't misunderstand, I don't hate the 'aero garden'. I'd have one in a minute. They are excellent space savers and produce great results. I'm just into saving money. An outside herb garden would have been less expensive still and could be used to add visual interest via a window box or an herb patch near the house. Our rosemary, for example, is planted in an urn and looks like a little tree. We keep it on the front porch during warm months and move it inside to the entry area during the winter. I will put one of my chive pots outside and let it go to flower later this summer. I happen to think chive flowers are pretty.

Finally, our seeds and soil together cost us around $18. We will have visual interest and a tasty harvest all season (including drying some herbs for the winter) for far less cost than buying fresh or dried at the market. Another side benefit, Brittan and I spent a delightful day doing something fun together.

Let me finish with an important safety tip. Last year our herb garden failed miserably because we over watered them. Most herbs, except chives, aren't all that demanding. And cilantro pretty much hates water. Do you homework first. Have fun, eat well, save money.