Crabapple Swamp Witch
@chisaifirefly.bsky.social
Soil & Permaculture nerd, land rights & climate justice policy wonk, recovering securities lawyer. Make the food and grow the things. Will run for butter and bling.
Lots of degrees to play in the dirt and regenerate nature.
Lots of degrees to play in the dirt and regenerate nature.
The problem with making your favorite appetizers in advance is that they taunt you in the fridge until Christmas
December 24, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The problem with making your favorite appetizers in advance is that they taunt you in the fridge until Christmas
50 varieties of native seeds (mostly PNW, but a few large range or Eastern N American) prepped and set outside to stratify. Fingers crossed for good germination rates this spring and lots of plant babies for next year's nursery!
December 18, 2025 at 9:29 PM
50 varieties of native seeds (mostly PNW, but a few large range or Eastern N American) prepped and set outside to stratify. Fingers crossed for good germination rates this spring and lots of plant babies for next year's nursery!
Spicy goodness!!!
Can't can it because oil and fresh garlic and shallots, but if you're careful with clean utensils it'll store for months in the fridge (if you don't eat it faster)
Can't can it because oil and fresh garlic and shallots, but if you're careful with clean utensils it'll store for months in the fridge (if you don't eat it faster)
December 17, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Spicy goodness!!!
Can't can it because oil and fresh garlic and shallots, but if you're careful with clean utensils it'll store for months in the fridge (if you don't eat it faster)
Can't can it because oil and fresh garlic and shallots, but if you're careful with clean utensils it'll store for months in the fridge (if you don't eat it faster)
bread. Bread. BREAD!
December 16, 2025 at 2:49 AM
bread. Bread. BREAD!
Last year I decided to give myself a little ongoing joy with a bunch of high quality olive oil samplers & mid-tier (because $$$) balsamics. I wanted to pick favorites, but while different, all were delicious.
So I splurged again on a 1st pressing from Greece & it is fabulous on homemade bread!
So I splurged again on a 1st pressing from Greece & it is fabulous on homemade bread!
December 14, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Last year I decided to give myself a little ongoing joy with a bunch of high quality olive oil samplers & mid-tier (because $$$) balsamics. I wanted to pick favorites, but while different, all were delicious.
So I splurged again on a 1st pressing from Greece & it is fabulous on homemade bread!
So I splurged again on a 1st pressing from Greece & it is fabulous on homemade bread!
We're on the high ground of a higher elevation area in the Puget lowlands... and it's still raining.
Peak in water levels are expected by midday
Peak in water levels are expected by midday
December 11, 2025 at 5:09 PM
We're on the high ground of a higher elevation area in the Puget lowlands... and it's still raining.
Peak in water levels are expected by midday
Peak in water levels are expected by midday
Preparing winter sown native seeds to stratify for the spring.
December 10, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Preparing winter sown native seeds to stratify for the spring.
Pretty pleased with a new bread recipe that doesn't require much planning. I decided I wanted bread this morning & it's ready by dinner.
Uses a sponge for some fermentation before building the full dough for more flavor depth. I did a mix of bread flour & a locally grown & milled whole wheat.
Uses a sponge for some fermentation before building the full dough for more flavor depth. I did a mix of bread flour & a locally grown & milled whole wheat.
December 10, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Pretty pleased with a new bread recipe that doesn't require much planning. I decided I wanted bread this morning & it's ready by dinner.
Uses a sponge for some fermentation before building the full dough for more flavor depth. I did a mix of bread flour & a locally grown & milled whole wheat.
Uses a sponge for some fermentation before building the full dough for more flavor depth. I did a mix of bread flour & a locally grown & milled whole wheat.
5 days in SLC & I am SO happy to be returning home to the PNW during an epic atmospheric river. I had a great time, but this mossy bog lady is completely dessicated by the high elevation salt desert despite drinking barrels of water & tea + slathering on the good salve.
December 7, 2025 at 3:47 PM
5 days in SLC & I am SO happy to be returning home to the PNW during an epic atmospheric river. I had a great time, but this mossy bog lady is completely dessicated by the high elevation salt desert despite drinking barrels of water & tea + slathering on the good salve.
In SLC with my sister for a big nerd convention so of course I did a nature tour to Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake on my free day. We saw: kestral, shrike, barn owl, great horned owl, burrowing owl (!!!) harrier, raven, ptarmigans, long billed curlew. brewers black birds, mule deer, & bison
December 4, 2025 at 3:19 AM
In SLC with my sister for a big nerd convention so of course I did a nature tour to Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake on my free day. We saw: kestral, shrike, barn owl, great horned owl, burrowing owl (!!!) harrier, raven, ptarmigans, long billed curlew. brewers black birds, mule deer, & bison
We started our annual holiday deep clean this weekend & the sink is empty, all the laundry is away, & the pantry organized - all at the same time! I even reconditioned + waterproofed my boots.
Running on super ADD task completion high now!
Running on super ADD task completion high now!
December 1, 2025 at 4:40 PM
We started our annual holiday deep clean this weekend & the sink is empty, all the laundry is away, & the pantry organized - all at the same time! I even reconditioned + waterproofed my boots.
Running on super ADD task completion high now!
Running on super ADD task completion high now!
About 2000 bulbs potted up and I definitely need to swap out the table support containers for cinder blocks because daaang is dirt heavy.
Garlic and shallots are planted in the raised bed before Thanksgiving!
Garlic and shallots are planted in the raised bed before Thanksgiving!
November 23, 2025 at 4:00 AM
About 2000 bulbs potted up and I definitely need to swap out the table support containers for cinder blocks because daaang is dirt heavy.
Garlic and shallots are planted in the raised bed before Thanksgiving!
Garlic and shallots are planted in the raised bed before Thanksgiving!
The new nursery is starting to really look like a nursery with raised beds, lifted tables, and 10 yards of the good dirt!!!
I might actually get the garlic in before Thanksgiving 😂
I might actually get the garlic in before Thanksgiving 😂
November 21, 2025 at 12:03 AM
The new nursery is starting to really look like a nursery with raised beds, lifted tables, and 10 yards of the good dirt!!!
I might actually get the garlic in before Thanksgiving 😂
I might actually get the garlic in before Thanksgiving 😂
Huzzah! I noticed the conservation district native plant pre-orders went live 3min before official 9am start. Got my giant order placed & already low availability on some items at 9:05.
I love it's gotten so popular, but you do need your order completely pre-planned & ready to hit the buttons.
I love it's gotten so popular, but you do need your order completely pre-planned & ready to hit the buttons.
November 18, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Huzzah! I noticed the conservation district native plant pre-orders went live 3min before official 9am start. Got my giant order placed & already low availability on some items at 9:05.
I love it's gotten so popular, but you do need your order completely pre-planned & ready to hit the buttons.
I love it's gotten so popular, but you do need your order completely pre-planned & ready to hit the buttons.
omg! we might have hard core kicked off the maga darling on our city council!!!
November 5, 2025 at 5:03 AM
omg! we might have hard core kicked off the maga darling on our city council!!!
If you don't go out in the rain in the PNW, you're stuck inside for months!
Soggy planting day yesterday, but the roses and ground cover are in! Client is thrilled and we both can't wait for the arbor to be covered in fragrant climbing cecile brunner roses.
Soggy planting day yesterday, but the roses and ground cover are in! Client is thrilled and we both can't wait for the arbor to be covered in fragrant climbing cecile brunner roses.
November 4, 2025 at 4:36 PM
If you don't go out in the rain in the PNW, you're stuck inside for months!
Soggy planting day yesterday, but the roses and ground cover are in! Client is thrilled and we both can't wait for the arbor to be covered in fragrant climbing cecile brunner roses.
Soggy planting day yesterday, but the roses and ground cover are in! Client is thrilled and we both can't wait for the arbor to be covered in fragrant climbing cecile brunner roses.
Happy farm stands putting squash on deep clearance day to all who celebrate!
November 1, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Happy farm stands putting squash on deep clearance day to all who celebrate!
City human services commission had a great time putting on a Halloween bingo/service fair at the local senior apartments!
I made a big batch of cupcakes, brought spooky fantasy art from home, and raided the Michael's clearance section for decorations.
I made a big batch of cupcakes, brought spooky fantasy art from home, and raided the Michael's clearance section for decorations.
October 31, 2025 at 3:37 PM
City human services commission had a great time putting on a Halloween bingo/service fair at the local senior apartments!
I made a big batch of cupcakes, brought spooky fantasy art from home, and raided the Michael's clearance section for decorations.
I made a big batch of cupcakes, brought spooky fantasy art from home, and raided the Michael's clearance section for decorations.
Bog magic.
After a morning of clearing blackberries in the rain the sun peaked out and absolutely lit up the bog.
After a morning of clearing blackberries in the rain the sun peaked out and absolutely lit up the bog.
October 26, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Bog magic.
After a morning of clearing blackberries in the rain the sun peaked out and absolutely lit up the bog.
After a morning of clearing blackberries in the rain the sun peaked out and absolutely lit up the bog.
This is why I always recommend purple tree collards. Amazing perennial production year round in a very small space. I've been harvesting all summer and I still have a full sink from cutting back 2 plants.
October 25, 2025 at 9:27 PM
This is why I always recommend purple tree collards. Amazing perennial production year round in a very small space. I've been harvesting all summer and I still have a full sink from cutting back 2 plants.
First build project for a client is wrapped up. A sturdy, rustic arbor for climbing roses to be added and providing shade for the hydrangeas. A support trellis for the espalier apple tree. Shrunk the lawn for easier management and more room to plant.
October 24, 2025 at 8:43 PM
First build project for a client is wrapped up. A sturdy, rustic arbor for climbing roses to be added and providing shade for the hydrangeas. A support trellis for the espalier apple tree. Shrunk the lawn for easier management and more room to plant.
Lunch break and then the moment of truth: did I measure well enough for the long beams to lay level!?!
October 22, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Lunch break and then the moment of truth: did I measure well enough for the long beams to lay level!?!
My first pomegranate! Not completely ripe, but the sun has fled and the rains are coming, so this baby is getting picked and tasted today.
Not bad for a very young plant trying hard to produce in the short PNW growing season.
Not bad for a very young plant trying hard to produce in the short PNW growing season.
October 20, 2025 at 2:52 PM
My first pomegranate! Not completely ripe, but the sun has fled and the rains are coming, so this baby is getting picked and tasted today.
Not bad for a very young plant trying hard to produce in the short PNW growing season.
Not bad for a very young plant trying hard to produce in the short PNW growing season.
It's always a surprise when my saffron crocuses pop up and flower!
They are usually quite fleeting in the PNW because they bloom just as the rain is really setting in. But, they are so pretty, and I usually can pick enough to make a cup of saffron tea.
They are usually quite fleeting in the PNW because they bloom just as the rain is really setting in. But, they are so pretty, and I usually can pick enough to make a cup of saffron tea.
October 19, 2025 at 3:59 PM
It's always a surprise when my saffron crocuses pop up and flower!
They are usually quite fleeting in the PNW because they bloom just as the rain is really setting in. But, they are so pretty, and I usually can pick enough to make a cup of saffron tea.
They are usually quite fleeting in the PNW because they bloom just as the rain is really setting in. But, they are so pretty, and I usually can pick enough to make a cup of saffron tea.
Getting ready for next week's client project, which is a first that includes a building component!
This pile of Alaskan yellow cedar is gonna become a simple, rustic arbor for a climbing rose and a support trellis for an espalier apple tree 😍
This pile of Alaskan yellow cedar is gonna become a simple, rustic arbor for a climbing rose and a support trellis for an espalier apple tree 😍
October 18, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Getting ready for next week's client project, which is a first that includes a building component!
This pile of Alaskan yellow cedar is gonna become a simple, rustic arbor for a climbing rose and a support trellis for an espalier apple tree 😍
This pile of Alaskan yellow cedar is gonna become a simple, rustic arbor for a climbing rose and a support trellis for an espalier apple tree 😍