Weekly Gardening Thread – 2010 (Vol. 36) October 08

Free Republic | 10-08-2010 | Red_Devil 232

[tubebender]

I didn't check the veracity of this story but it sounds possible. Check your dishwasher soap...

[rightly_dividing]

I can't speak of the claims of the eviromental effects, but we moved on Aug 2 to a house with an old dishwasher from a house with none. We immediatly noticed a white residue deposited on all the dishes. We found out about the new phosphate free dishwasher soap from a FR article, I believe. But thanks for the link, we will try the Cascade gel.
I forwarded the link to Mrs. r_d.
Oh, and she says "Hi, Mr. Bender"

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Thank you so much for the book recommendation. I love a good cookbook. My most recent acquisitions are The Pasta Bible and Beard on Pasta. My two biggest food weaknesses are bread and pasta, but I absolutely savor a good pot of soup! I’m headed to eBay and Amazon to find the book you’ve mentioned. Yeah!

[JustaDumbBlonde]

I do use Cascade powder, but really haven't noticed any difference in performance lately. I've tried the Cascade gel when Sam's was out of the powder, but it really wasn't my favorite and I went back to powder as soon as it was restocked. Absolutely do not like those Cascade packets that contain both liquid and powder ... got a free sample of 5 packets with a box of powder not too long ago. They did not clean well at all.

I think that a big factor in how a dishwasher detergent works is the water supply.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

"I live the old Louisiana joke; Honey, I've got the rice cooking, what do you want for supper?"

My face is red with guilt ... I have to admit that I buy rice in 50 lb. bags. LOL

[rightly_dividing]

I think that a big factor in how a dishwasher detergent works is the water supply.

Do you mean the quality of the water, or the pressure or volume of the water? We have low water pressure and volume at our kitchen sink, but good elsewhere in the house.

Hmmmm...... now ya gotme thinkin....

[JustaDumbBlonde]

I was referring to the source/quality/characteristics of the water -- hard vs. soft, well vs. city supply, etc. My diswasher fills before it begins to run, so I don't think that volume/pressure matters ... it would just take longer to fill, unless I'm missing something.

I don't clean my dishes before I load them, but I do remove pieces of food. Some people practically clean the dishes before they load them, but I see that as the machine's job and I won't do it. So, I'm a pretty tough customer for a dishwasher detergent.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Woo hoo ... $3.99 in like-new condition! Chicken noodle soup, here I come!

[rightly_dividing]

Thanks for the info on the dishwasher water source. That may be our problem, our water is piped in, but I think that it is just chloranated well water.

[greeneyes]

” Waste a chicken carcass? Never! I cannot NOT make broth. :)”

LOL! I know what you mean. I just have to add water, spices, carrots, onions, and celery, and get all the goodness out of that bird.

Sometimes I add a little apple cider vinegar too. That helps to get more calcium out of the bones, and makes a good broth to use to stir fry veggies for sweet and sour dishes.

[greeneyes]

I remember when they started using less phosphates in the laundry detergent too. We usually use a generic brand dish-washing liquid.

I will have to check out the phosphate content, because we have been having some problems with the dishwasher too. Thanks for the tip.

[greeneyes]

That looks like a great book. I think it would make a great Christmas gift too.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Score! That is SUCH a good cookbook! Simple ingredients, lovingly prpared...’SOUP is proof that God loves us’...or something along those lines. :)

Just got back from the in-laws’ farm up the road. FIL grew out the squash this season and I am loaded down with delicata, butternut and blue hubbard. I’ll post a pix later. I’m going to need my axe to hack into that hubbard, LOL! :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Thanks for the cider vinegar tip! And you’ll love that cookbook if you give or get it. :)

[greeneyes]

Well I couldn’t resist. I ordered three. Used for me, and 2 new for daughters gifts. LOL.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Good call, Mom! :)

[tubebender]

No Bay leaves???????? Or Pepper Corns?????? and please put the ground Nutmeg on the table for me...

[greeneyes]

“No Bay leaves???????? Or Pepper Corns?????? and please put the ground Nutmeg on the table for me...”

Those would be spices. I think I did include spices or did I forget? I have so many spices that I use depending on what the final product will be I didn't list them all. Peppercorns naturally go in every broth. Bayleaf is an all time favorite for soup, as is tarragon etc. etc.

[rightly_dividing]

I sent this to my wife. I asked her if she had read it, "Yes, it sounds good" did ya see the picture? "No. I read it on my Blackberry" When she got back to her computer she saw the picture. When she came home from work that night, she had a butternut squash with her...."Now we have everything to make JustaDumbBlonde's recipe, it really looked great in the picture"

Thanks, FRiend :)

[JustaDumbBlonde]

You’re so welcome ... let me know how y’all liked it.