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Suralle Straykat

@suralle.bsky.social

3.8K followers 4.1K following 1.2K posts

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.

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Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 21h

So beautiful! BZ!

Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 1d

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.

Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 1d

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

Black Raspberry Jam

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

Combine and stir over low heat, once combined turn to medium heat, stir as necessary. Bring to boil, shoot for 220 degrees.

Ladle into sterile jars, wipe the jar ring, water bath for 10 minutes at 10 psi or per your altitude.

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Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 5d

Yeah, guessing this one was pushing 80+ years. Gifted from a friend, her partner does antique auctions and estate closeouts. Yeah, it has been around, but worked great.

Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 5d

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!

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Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 7d

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 🧛‍♂️🧛‍♀️ 😂

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Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 8d

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.

Last of the Sacre Blue Kidney Beans harvested. Mostly dry, will be shelling and adding them to the soup bean jar.

Red Onion bed for 2026. 60 or so planted.

White Onion Bed, about 60 or so planted.

Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 12d

Sheriffs are disturbing enough, imagine allowing someone of a dedicated political party having the power to arrest citizens.

Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 16d

Quality follows. Thank you Frankie.

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Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 16d

F.U.C.K. brings an entirely new meaning to FUCK. As I said in another place, talk all the time you need.

Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 16d

That's the least of what CA can do actually. CTCC can start removing some teaching licenses under the 5 or so clauses next. Fun times we are living in.

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Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 21d

The thought that we owe our entire existance to the first 6" of soil we plant in... 💚

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Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 21d

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".

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Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 21d

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.

Fully Loaded Spicy Pasta Sauce.

Ingredients;
Volunteer Tomatoes - a lot
6 Cubanelle Peppers
6 Hungarian Paprika Peppers
2 medium yellow onions
2 cans of black olives
1/2 cup lemon juice
6 sprigs oregano
3 sprigs basil
3 sprigs rosemary
Largest sprigs you have. Blend, simmer and reduce,

Pressure can pints for 20 minutes at 10 lbs.
Pressure can quarts for 25 minutes at 10 lbs.
1/2" headspace.
Adjust weight for your altitude.

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Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 22d

Beef Roast in the crockpot with vegetables. One bed of sweet potatoes left to harvest. Still loads of carrots, peppers, beans and tomatoes though!

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Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 22d

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.

Peppers and Tomatoes for this weekends preservation. Manifesting that this haul will be the best fully loaded Pasta Sauce we've ever done.

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Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 23d

Don't buy food from strangers. Shop local, support local growers, farmers, crafters, and ranches.

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Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 23d

This is the most likely scenerio for sure Kelly girl. I can't help but wonder though why the waste of command staff and dollars for this event.

Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 23d

Either we're going to war or something bad is about to happen to senior staff. Hopefully not North Korean style of bad.

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Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 23d

I would be fracking livid in her position. W/R ETC(SS) Retired

Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 23d

May have to get one just for the beautiful blossoms! I have a spot picked out, a bit further away from the other two peach trees we have but close enough I think.

Thank you!

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Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 24d

Do you have some thoughts on which other varieties help with pollination?

Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · 26d

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

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Suralle Straykat @suralle.bsky.social · Sep 19

Sad state of affairs.

Reposted by Suralle Straykat

🦋🕊️🦋GinLy47 @ginly47.bsky.social · Sep 19

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