Suralle Straykat
@suralle.bsky.social
Retired Submarine Sailor, Preserver, Witch, Gardener, Forager, Locavore & Nemophilist.
Fruit Picker at The Cassiopeia Orchard
Green Gandalf at The Cassiopeia Garden
Forager in The Woods
Liberal Prepper
Please chat through posts first.
Fruit Picker at The Cassiopeia Orchard
Green Gandalf at The Cassiopeia Garden
Forager in The Woods
Liberal Prepper
Please chat through posts first.
Spiced Apple Pie Filling! 😋
40 Stayman Apples, peeled, cored and sliced. 20 per batch.
4 cups of unsweetened Apple Juice
2 3/4 cups of sugar
2 3/4 cups of brown sugar
1 1/2 cups of ClearJel starch
1 cup of Lemon Juice
4 caps of Vanilla Extract
Ground Clove, Cinnamon and Nutmeg to taste
40 Stayman Apples, peeled, cored and sliced. 20 per batch.
4 cups of unsweetened Apple Juice
2 3/4 cups of sugar
2 3/4 cups of brown sugar
1 1/2 cups of ClearJel starch
1 cup of Lemon Juice
4 caps of Vanilla Extract
Ground Clove, Cinnamon and Nutmeg to taste
November 16, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Spiced Apple Pie Filling! 😋
40 Stayman Apples, peeled, cored and sliced. 20 per batch.
4 cups of unsweetened Apple Juice
2 3/4 cups of sugar
2 3/4 cups of brown sugar
1 1/2 cups of ClearJel starch
1 cup of Lemon Juice
4 caps of Vanilla Extract
Ground Clove, Cinnamon and Nutmeg to taste
40 Stayman Apples, peeled, cored and sliced. 20 per batch.
4 cups of unsweetened Apple Juice
2 3/4 cups of sugar
2 3/4 cups of brown sugar
1 1/2 cups of ClearJel starch
1 cup of Lemon Juice
4 caps of Vanilla Extract
Ground Clove, Cinnamon and Nutmeg to taste
Well, beats no potatoes in mid-Novenber. 🙂
Of course it got dark at 5 pm now in Maryland zone 7.
Four more bags to harvest then moving on to sweet potatoes.
Of course it got dark at 5 pm now in Maryland zone 7.
Four more bags to harvest then moving on to sweet potatoes.
November 14, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Well, beats no potatoes in mid-Novenber. 🙂
Of course it got dark at 5 pm now in Maryland zone 7.
Four more bags to harvest then moving on to sweet potatoes.
Of course it got dark at 5 pm now in Maryland zone 7.
Four more bags to harvest then moving on to sweet potatoes.
One of the main reasons I dislike DST, I ran out of daylight after work...
Still though the potato second planting worked pretty well.
Left we have a few grow bags of carrots, half dozen of potatoe grow bags and we need to harvest rutabags and sweet potatoes.
Still though the potato second planting worked pretty well.
Left we have a few grow bags of carrots, half dozen of potatoe grow bags and we need to harvest rutabags and sweet potatoes.
November 13, 2025 at 10:33 PM
One of the main reasons I dislike DST, I ran out of daylight after work...
Still though the potato second planting worked pretty well.
Left we have a few grow bags of carrots, half dozen of potatoe grow bags and we need to harvest rutabags and sweet potatoes.
Still though the potato second planting worked pretty well.
Left we have a few grow bags of carrots, half dozen of potatoe grow bags and we need to harvest rutabags and sweet potatoes.
Put together a couple batches of Apple Butter this chilly and blustery Veterans/Armistice Day.
6 lbs Figi Apples
4 lbs Granny Smith Apples
3 lbs Red Delicious Apples
3 lbs Golden Delicious Apples
2 cups Sugar
1 cup Brown Sugar
1 cup Lemon Juice
Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, and Vanilla to your taste.
6 lbs Figi Apples
4 lbs Granny Smith Apples
3 lbs Red Delicious Apples
3 lbs Golden Delicious Apples
2 cups Sugar
1 cup Brown Sugar
1 cup Lemon Juice
Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, and Vanilla to your taste.
November 12, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Put together a couple batches of Apple Butter this chilly and blustery Veterans/Armistice Day.
6 lbs Figi Apples
4 lbs Granny Smith Apples
3 lbs Red Delicious Apples
3 lbs Golden Delicious Apples
2 cups Sugar
1 cup Brown Sugar
1 cup Lemon Juice
Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, and Vanilla to your taste.
6 lbs Figi Apples
4 lbs Granny Smith Apples
3 lbs Red Delicious Apples
3 lbs Golden Delicious Apples
2 cups Sugar
1 cup Brown Sugar
1 cup Lemon Juice
Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, and Vanilla to your taste.
From our gnome... er home to yours, a blessed Armistice Day and a thankful Veterans Day to all.
November 11, 2025 at 10:08 PM
From our gnome... er home to yours, a blessed Armistice Day and a thankful Veterans Day to all.
Quality help and always a mess is something that never goes out of style. 💜
Pulping the Blackberries for Blackberry Spread.
Pulping the Blackberries for Blackberry Spread.
November 11, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Quality help and always a mess is something that never goes out of style. 💜
Pulping the Blackberries for Blackberry Spread.
Pulping the Blackberries for Blackberry Spread.
Took some teamwork with Carrie and the grands steaming and pulping the Blackberries ready for jamming earlier today.
In the end we got 18 pints. 16 for storage and 2 in the refrigerator.
30 cups of Blackberry juice and mash
20 cups of Sugar
2 cups of Lemon Juice
8 caps of Vanilla Extract
💜
In the end we got 18 pints. 16 for storage and 2 in the refrigerator.
30 cups of Blackberry juice and mash
20 cups of Sugar
2 cups of Lemon Juice
8 caps of Vanilla Extract
💜
November 11, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Took some teamwork with Carrie and the grands steaming and pulping the Blackberries ready for jamming earlier today.
In the end we got 18 pints. 16 for storage and 2 in the refrigerator.
30 cups of Blackberry juice and mash
20 cups of Sugar
2 cups of Lemon Juice
8 caps of Vanilla Extract
💜
In the end we got 18 pints. 16 for storage and 2 in the refrigerator.
30 cups of Blackberry juice and mash
20 cups of Sugar
2 cups of Lemon Juice
8 caps of Vanilla Extract
💜
First bigger harvest of our Kiwi Vines here. We decided to steam them and grab the juice.
Added Strawberries from an earlier harvest.
10 jars of Kiwi and 26 jars of Kiwi & Strawberry Jelly later.
Let them sit for today, label tomorrow and into the shelf area after.
Added Strawberries from an earlier harvest.
10 jars of Kiwi and 26 jars of Kiwi & Strawberry Jelly later.
Let them sit for today, label tomorrow and into the shelf area after.
November 2, 2025 at 3:51 PM
First bigger harvest of our Kiwi Vines here. We decided to steam them and grab the juice.
Added Strawberries from an earlier harvest.
10 jars of Kiwi and 26 jars of Kiwi & Strawberry Jelly later.
Let them sit for today, label tomorrow and into the shelf area after.
Added Strawberries from an earlier harvest.
10 jars of Kiwi and 26 jars of Kiwi & Strawberry Jelly later.
Let them sit for today, label tomorrow and into the shelf area after.
We harvested our Kiwi in Maryland (US) Zone 7, they should get about twice the size when the plants finally mature.
Sour and oh so tasty! Not enough to make your mouth pucker but enough to go yum!
💚😋
Sour and oh so tasty! Not enough to make your mouth pucker but enough to go yum!
💚😋
October 30, 2025 at 10:37 AM
We harvested our Kiwi in Maryland (US) Zone 7, they should get about twice the size when the plants finally mature.
Sour and oh so tasty! Not enough to make your mouth pucker but enough to go yum!
💚😋
Sour and oh so tasty! Not enough to make your mouth pucker but enough to go yum!
💚😋
Bean art jar number 2 in progress. Beans can be quite colorful.
The irony of trickle down isn't lost on me. By dangling the hope that when oligarchs get richer that wealth passes to you.
Never going to happen, so grow and save what you can like it's 1929 all over again.
The irony of trickle down isn't lost on me. By dangling the hope that when oligarchs get richer that wealth passes to you.
Never going to happen, so grow and save what you can like it's 1929 all over again.
October 29, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Bean art jar number 2 in progress. Beans can be quite colorful.
The irony of trickle down isn't lost on me. By dangling the hope that when oligarchs get richer that wealth passes to you.
Never going to happen, so grow and save what you can like it's 1929 all over again.
The irony of trickle down isn't lost on me. By dangling the hope that when oligarchs get richer that wealth passes to you.
Never going to happen, so grow and save what you can like it's 1929 all over again.
Your pollinator beds should be working for you this winter too.
70 Saffron Crocus
40 Red Tulips
40 Yellow Daffodils
40 Yellow Tulips
6 Red Globe Allium
70 Saffron Crocus
40 Red Tulips
40 Yellow Daffodils
40 Yellow Tulips
6 Red Globe Allium
October 25, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Your pollinator beds should be working for you this winter too.
70 Saffron Crocus
40 Red Tulips
40 Yellow Daffodils
40 Yellow Tulips
6 Red Globe Allium
70 Saffron Crocus
40 Red Tulips
40 Yellow Daffodils
40 Yellow Tulips
6 Red Globe Allium
Your in ground or raised bed gardens take time, energy, money and a lot of composted manure TLC.
Growing food year round helps them earn that upkeep in good and tasty way.
65 French Red Shallots
25 Holland Red Shallots
Growing food year round helps them earn that upkeep in good and tasty way.
65 French Red Shallots
25 Holland Red Shallots
October 25, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Your in ground or raised bed gardens take time, energy, money and a lot of composted manure TLC.
Growing food year round helps them earn that upkeep in good and tasty way.
65 French Red Shallots
25 Holland Red Shallots
Growing food year round helps them earn that upkeep in good and tasty way.
65 French Red Shallots
25 Holland Red Shallots
"There are only nine meals between mankind and anarchy" ~ Alfred Henry Lewis - 1906
The loss of WIC and other social programs that assist parents, grandparents, and thier progeny. Perhaps we are all missing the bigger picture by being lost in the minutia.
Anarchy = Martial Law
The loss of WIC and other social programs that assist parents, grandparents, and thier progeny. Perhaps we are all missing the bigger picture by being lost in the minutia.
Anarchy = Martial Law
October 23, 2025 at 10:40 AM
"There are only nine meals between mankind and anarchy" ~ Alfred Henry Lewis - 1906
The loss of WIC and other social programs that assist parents, grandparents, and thier progeny. Perhaps we are all missing the bigger picture by being lost in the minutia.
Anarchy = Martial Law
The loss of WIC and other social programs that assist parents, grandparents, and thier progeny. Perhaps we are all missing the bigger picture by being lost in the minutia.
Anarchy = Martial Law
Some folks are very thoughtful in knowing that variety is the spice of life and all.
Krandasger Red & Purple Glazer Garlic Cloves planted for the 2026 growing season.
From the SIL Rikki in GR, Michigan.
Krandasger Red & Purple Glazer Garlic Cloves planted for the 2026 growing season.
From the SIL Rikki in GR, Michigan.
October 21, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Some folks are very thoughtful in knowing that variety is the spice of life and all.
Krandasger Red & Purple Glazer Garlic Cloves planted for the 2026 growing season.
From the SIL Rikki in GR, Michigan.
Krandasger Red & Purple Glazer Garlic Cloves planted for the 2026 growing season.
From the SIL Rikki in GR, Michigan.
Paracord was replaced in the main garden bed.
This bed is a keyhole design to minimize having to step or stand on the soil.
Trellis system adds about 112 square feet of vertical grow space.
We call it the "Capture the Sun" design. Trellis is on the northern side of the bed.
This bed is a keyhole design to minimize having to step or stand on the soil.
Trellis system adds about 112 square feet of vertical grow space.
We call it the "Capture the Sun" design. Trellis is on the northern side of the bed.
October 18, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Paracord was replaced in the main garden bed.
This bed is a keyhole design to minimize having to step or stand on the soil.
Trellis system adds about 112 square feet of vertical grow space.
We call it the "Capture the Sun" design. Trellis is on the northern side of the bed.
This bed is a keyhole design to minimize having to step or stand on the soil.
Trellis system adds about 112 square feet of vertical grow space.
We call it the "Capture the Sun" design. Trellis is on the northern side of the bed.
Black Raspberry Jam from last weekend. Homegrown is the best! A great way to store sugar for "Tuesday" IYKYK.
Ingredients:
9 cups of Black Raspberries
4 1/2 cups of Sugar
1/2 cup of Lemon Juice
1 tbsp of ground Cardamom
1 tbsp of ground Cinnamon
1 tbsp of ground Nutmeg
1 tbsp of ground Cloves
Ingredients:
9 cups of Black Raspberries
4 1/2 cups of Sugar
1/2 cup of Lemon Juice
1 tbsp of ground Cardamom
1 tbsp of ground Cinnamon
1 tbsp of ground Nutmeg
1 tbsp of ground Cloves
October 18, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Black Raspberry Jam from last weekend. Homegrown is the best! A great way to store sugar for "Tuesday" IYKYK.
Ingredients:
9 cups of Black Raspberries
4 1/2 cups of Sugar
1/2 cup of Lemon Juice
1 tbsp of ground Cardamom
1 tbsp of ground Cinnamon
1 tbsp of ground Nutmeg
1 tbsp of ground Cloves
Ingredients:
9 cups of Black Raspberries
4 1/2 cups of Sugar
1/2 cup of Lemon Juice
1 tbsp of ground Cardamom
1 tbsp of ground Cinnamon
1 tbsp of ground Nutmeg
1 tbsp of ground Cloves
It's the end of an era, our All American 921 Canner #318 is bound for the great aluminum recycling beyond.
It was a huge workforce in our preservation here.
A rather deep divet and not wanting a steam powered rocket in our kitchen, we got a new one.
Time to make some Black Raspberry Jam!
It was a huge workforce in our preservation here.
A rather deep divet and not wanting a steam powered rocket in our kitchen, we got a new one.
Time to make some Black Raspberry Jam!
October 13, 2025 at 6:54 PM
It's the end of an era, our All American 921 Canner #318 is bound for the great aluminum recycling beyond.
It was a huge workforce in our preservation here.
A rather deep divet and not wanting a steam powered rocket in our kitchen, we got a new one.
Time to make some Black Raspberry Jam!
It was a huge workforce in our preservation here.
A rather deep divet and not wanting a steam powered rocket in our kitchen, we got a new one.
Time to make some Black Raspberry Jam!
Cassiopeia Garden and Orchard marked safe for spooky season 👻
Garlic planted for the 2026 season here.
50 - Elephant
27 - Spanish Roja
40 - Duganski
78 - German Red
You still have a few weeks here in Maryland Zone 7, so get your garlic order in.
Marked safe for spooky season 🧛♂️🧛♀️ 😂
Garlic planted for the 2026 season here.
50 - Elephant
27 - Spanish Roja
40 - Duganski
78 - German Red
You still have a few weeks here in Maryland Zone 7, so get your garlic order in.
Marked safe for spooky season 🧛♂️🧛♀️ 😂
October 12, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Cassiopeia Garden and Orchard marked safe for spooky season 👻
Garlic planted for the 2026 season here.
50 - Elephant
27 - Spanish Roja
40 - Duganski
78 - German Red
You still have a few weeks here in Maryland Zone 7, so get your garlic order in.
Marked safe for spooky season 🧛♂️🧛♀️ 😂
Garlic planted for the 2026 season here.
50 - Elephant
27 - Spanish Roja
40 - Duganski
78 - German Red
You still have a few weeks here in Maryland Zone 7, so get your garlic order in.
Marked safe for spooky season 🧛♂️🧛♀️ 😂
Cassiopeia Garden & Orchard Date: 10OCT25 1800 Eastern.
The last of the vine bean beds have been cleared, composted, and fertilized.
Red, White, and Yellow Onions, about 60 each in their place for 2026.
Assuming the weather holds we will get the garlic in tomorrow, 11OCT25.
The last of the vine bean beds have been cleared, composted, and fertilized.
Red, White, and Yellow Onions, about 60 each in their place for 2026.
Assuming the weather holds we will get the garlic in tomorrow, 11OCT25.
October 10, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Cassiopeia Garden & Orchard Date: 10OCT25 1800 Eastern.
The last of the vine bean beds have been cleared, composted, and fertilized.
Red, White, and Yellow Onions, about 60 each in their place for 2026.
Assuming the weather holds we will get the garlic in tomorrow, 11OCT25.
The last of the vine bean beds have been cleared, composted, and fertilized.
Red, White, and Yellow Onions, about 60 each in their place for 2026.
Assuming the weather holds we will get the garlic in tomorrow, 11OCT25.
The second set of potato grow bags are doing pretty well this year.
Rolled the tops up and added some soil.
Should be able to do two sets annually as the planet warms. A silver lining in a future where living isn't going to be as "fruitful".
Rolled the tops up and added some soil.
Should be able to do two sets annually as the planet warms. A silver lining in a future where living isn't going to be as "fruitful".
September 28, 2025 at 12:36 AM
The second set of potato grow bags are doing pretty well this year.
Rolled the tops up and added some soil.
Should be able to do two sets annually as the planet warms. A silver lining in a future where living isn't going to be as "fruitful".
Rolled the tops up and added some soil.
Should be able to do two sets annually as the planet warms. A silver lining in a future where living isn't going to be as "fruitful".
9 more quarts of fully loaded spicy pasta sauce.
This may seem like a lot and normal times it is. You need to prepare though for the other times.
No one is going to hand out food for free and you might not want to pay them what they're asking then.
3 weeks of food and water per soul.
This may seem like a lot and normal times it is. You need to prepare though for the other times.
No one is going to hand out food for free and you might not want to pay them what they're asking then.
3 weeks of food and water per soul.
September 28, 2025 at 12:31 AM
9 more quarts of fully loaded spicy pasta sauce.
This may seem like a lot and normal times it is. You need to prepare though for the other times.
No one is going to hand out food for free and you might not want to pay them what they're asking then.
3 weeks of food and water per soul.
This may seem like a lot and normal times it is. You need to prepare though for the other times.
No one is going to hand out food for free and you might not want to pay them what they're asking then.
3 weeks of food and water per soul.
You know it's going to be magical pasta sauce when the cauldron gets broken out.
Good morning from Havre de Grace, MD USA, Zone 7
Don't buy food from strangers, either grow your own or get to know, shop, and eat locally grown food, meats, herbs and produce.
Good morning from Havre de Grace, MD USA, Zone 7
Don't buy food from strangers, either grow your own or get to know, shop, and eat locally grown food, meats, herbs and produce.
September 27, 2025 at 12:02 PM
You know it's going to be magical pasta sauce when the cauldron gets broken out.
Good morning from Havre de Grace, MD USA, Zone 7
Don't buy food from strangers, either grow your own or get to know, shop, and eat locally grown food, meats, herbs and produce.
Good morning from Havre de Grace, MD USA, Zone 7
Don't buy food from strangers, either grow your own or get to know, shop, and eat locally grown food, meats, herbs and produce.
Don't buy food from strangers. Shop local, support local growers, farmers, crafters, and ranches.
September 26, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Don't buy food from strangers. Shop local, support local growers, farmers, crafters, and ranches.
Added another 10 half pints of ketchup stash, total 27 half pints for 2025.
Ingredients:
Volunteer Garden Tomatoes
1.5 cups of 5% Vinegar
Value:
Priceless
Ingredients:
Volunteer Garden Tomatoes
1.5 cups of 5% Vinegar
Value:
Priceless
September 23, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Added another 10 half pints of ketchup stash, total 27 half pints for 2025.
Ingredients:
Volunteer Garden Tomatoes
1.5 cups of 5% Vinegar
Value:
Priceless
Ingredients:
Volunteer Garden Tomatoes
1.5 cups of 5% Vinegar
Value:
Priceless
Good morning, abundant blue skies and it's a great day to be alive!
Growing beats owing no matter how small or large your garden may be.
Growing beats owing no matter how small or large your garden may be.
September 14, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Good morning, abundant blue skies and it's a great day to be alive!
Growing beats owing no matter how small or large your garden may be.
Growing beats owing no matter how small or large your garden may be.