Problems with our Compost

A while ago (think: August) we started a compost and it's still not ready to use as fertilizer. I think we have a problem but we're composting newbies so I don't really know what to do, how to fix it, if I should even worry. 

Here's the situation:

We followed the directions online at this website to make a hot box compost. We don't have a yard, so we needed something that we could contain. The reason we decided to compost is because we have a pretty good sized flower bed outside of our windows that we would like to grow herbs and maybe tomatoes in. When we moved in, the flower box was disgusting but we fixed it up in August and we're just waiting to add our nutrient rich and organic fertilizer to the soil. 

Use your imagination a little with this one. Here the 'composts' are under the sink instead of on the patio. Also, in this photo only the white bin is compost material and the blue bin is garbage. Now they're both compost. (Don't worry we got another bin for garbage.)

What we have is two small garbage cans sitting on the end of our deck that have decreased in volume by about half but still haven't fully decomposed. We've tried a couple of things based on what I've read online. We mixed it all up a couple of times, although it's hard for us to get to the bottom with our hand shovel. We've also watered it a bit (it dries out very quickly in the sun). Other than that... I'm at a loss. I really, really don't want someone to say just start over, but if that's what we have to do, then that's what we have to do.  

Any of you out there that have composted before, have the slightest idea of what we would need to do or not do for that matter... we would greatly appreciate your help. Either leave a comment (anyone can now) or email me at taylor.bogdan@gmail.com.

MULUB, 

Taylor

What we feed that dog...

Chuki is HUGE, almost 50 lbs! If he were a small child, people would ask 'what are you feeding him?' But because he's a dog, people don't ask that. I'm not sure why.

There are a lot of ways you can go about Home Cooking. You can cook everyday, once a week, once a month, once a year (if you have a REALLY big freezer). Or you can cook when said dog happens to run out of food. We tend to fall in the later category. We cook, he eats, when food runs out, we cook again. You have to decide what works best for you.

We're Back to Normal!

By noon yesterday everything seemed, for all practical purposes, back to normal on the streets of Quito. My morning classes were cancelled because no one knew what the situation was going to be when the city got moving. But when we turned on the news around 10, telenovelas were back on. We took that as a clear sign that the country had recovered. No more 24 hour news coverage. At noon, when I called my 1pm student, he confirmed that yes, we were indeed having classes today.

On my way from home to class I couldn't help but be super observant. I only saw 5 police officers the whole way there. My class is at Naciones Unidas y Amazonas, two of the biggest streets in Quito. Plus, I have to pass Naciones Unidas y 6 de Deciembre, another one of the largest intersections in Quito. I usually see between 40-50 policia and yesterday, no more than 5.

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It's that simple. Hopefully we'll start to get some now ;)

Day 2

If you've been tuning into the news, you may or may not have seen some coverage on the current situation in Ecuador. Regardless, we just wanted everyone to know that we're at home and we're safe. 

From what I understand is Correa, the far-leftist President, went through with a bunch of cut-backs that has a lot of opposition from most everyone else. The cut-backs were going to really affect the military and the police. Something about no pay increases, no promotions and no bonuses. So yesterday, Thursday, the police went on strike. I hear strike and I think of a teacher's strike. A bunch of middle-aged women (no offense) bundled up in their winter coats walking a picket line with various signs that are too the point but very far from malicious, they're teachers after all. Anyways, a police strike in Ecuador is very different than a teacher strike in Mid West America. 

So this is what a coup looks like...

e, Check out these links about the situation in Quito:

Here

This one from WSJ

This one from Rueters: here 

And this one

We'll keep you posted as we find out more but basically. Correa, the President is going ahead with massive cut backs which effect the military and the police. The police went on strike this morning. The military originally backed the government but has since changed it's mind and is striking with the police. It's unclear whether all of the military is with the police or only certain parts. In general, there's chaos in the streets and no one is entering or leaving Quito. We're safe and at home. All of our classes have been cancelled. 

MULUB, 

Taylor

Do's and Don'ts of Home Cooking

About a week ago I told you how we came to the decision of home cooking for Chuki. Today is about more practical matters. What can the dog eat and what can't the dog eat? Now, just like cooking for humans there are infinite possibilities of what a puppers can eat. You can get really fancy or you can be super simple. Either way, the dog will (mostly) love everything.

Also just like humans, dogs don't like to eat somethings and shouldn't eat other things. For example, we've learned that Chuki doesn't like raw spinach. Cooked, he has no problem with but don't even try to give him the stuff raw. He really doesn't like any leafy green that is raw, but will eat all of them if cooked. Chuki, like his momma, doesn't like beets... IN ANY FORM. And then there are things that he LOVES! Also, like his momma, the Chukinator LOVES cheese and peanut butter. (bunny trail) The only way that you can determine what he likes and doesn't like is by trying.

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