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Above and below, these Nov. 17 photos show seed packets at a hardware store in Freeland, Wash. The packs are great little reference tools. While the front of the packets show how the seeds will look when they mature, the rear describes everything needed to grow them from spacing and soil depth to light conditions and moisture requirements. (AP photos)
Pocket-size seed packets speak volumes
By DEAN FOSDICK Associated Press A seed packet may be small, but it speaks volumes. While seed catalogs promote thousands of types of plants, seed packets tell gardeners how to grow one. All the information is printed on the back of a paper pouch slightly larger than the size of your wallet, and at prices that won't empty it. Although the cost of seeds has risen over the past few years, they're still an economical way to garden, said Elsa Sanchez, a commercial vegetable crops specialist at Penn State University Extension. “The other option would be to buy transplants, which is generally more expensive,” Sanchez said. “You also find a lot more options for types and cultivars when you start from seed.” Seed packages have been a gardening staple in the United States for well over a century, although their look is frequently changed. W. Atlee Burpee & Co., for example, has begun shipping re-designed packets for the 2018 growing season. “We made the picture (of the plant) virtually the entire front of the packet, so there's a very strong shout-out of what it is,” said Burpee Chairman and Chief Executive Officer George Ball. “We have just a few things on the front — the name, price and weight, such as we need to have. “But turn it over and you'll see that we've amped up the type of gardening information you're going to get — the what, the how, the where and the when. The most important is the when,” Ball said. “We use USDA (hardiness) zones and maps for that.” Company founder Washington Atlee Burpee used to call seed packets his “silent salesmen,” Ball said. “It's important that the seed packets be seen from 15 feet See Seeds p. 2D
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Above is a mug from Miya Company. Cats are a popular motif in Asian tableware, symbolizing good luck. This mug comes with its own little kitten spoon. Below, from top, are more products from Miya Company: Indigo blue raindrops create a pleasing geometric pattern on this bowl that can be used for rice, cereal or soup; this bowl is a realistically-patterned ceramic made to look like wood; a plate featuring a Japanese thatch pattern, melding traditional and contemporary design. (AP photos)
Asian tableware includes wide variety of designs, unique looks By KIM COOK Associated Press Japan, China and Korea have a long history of creating beautiful table goods, from rustic stoneware to delicate ceramics, sleek lacquered items to whimsical serveware and utensils. This tableware is appearing more and more in decor stores on this side of the world as part of several trends: minimalism, globalism, eclecticism. Miya Company, based in New York City, imports a wide range of Japanese tableware and gifts. “We're a third-generation family business that was started in the 1930s by my husband's great uncle, Chosuke Miyahira,” says spokesperson Heidi Moon. Miya was initially a flower shop, and then began offering tableware. Moon says its motto today is “friends don't let friends use boring dishes,” and that whatever they sell has to be “beautiful, simple, and fun.” In the utensils department, there are fanciful tongs shaped like cat paws, and a man-shaped chopsticks holder with hollow legs so the sticks make him look like a stilt walker. In the ceramics section, there are plates and cups resembling traditional kokeshi dolls. Blue and white ceramic bowls, ideal for cereal, rice or soup, are stamped with a simple raindrop pattern, and come in sets with wooden chopsticks. There are cleverly designed mugs, too. A calico cat-shaped cup has its own little kitten spoon. From Jewel Japan, distributed by Miya, a microwave-safe series of mugs printed with modern graphics of cats, whales, or origami cranes come with handy matching lids to keep beverages warm. Cats are well represented in Asian tableware as symbols of good luck. Along with all the feline mugs, there are playful pussycats gamboling over glass and porcelain plates, and a clever cat-shaped matte black teapot, with the cat's head becoming a cup. A striking black and white plate collection by Komon draws inspiration from traditional Japanese patterns like hemp leaves, snowflakes, arrow feathers and thatching. Run by the Lin family since 1997, Mrs. Lin's Kitchen in Pleasanton, California, sells table and kitchen goods as well as home accessories. A collection of serveware is designed in the style of 16th century Japanese Oribe ceramics, known for their bold designs and copper green glaze. A pattern called Sunlit Forest evokes sunlight streaming through a woodland canopy at midday. See Tableware p. 2D
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House to Home
Mortgage Index 30-YEAR Rate-Fee/Pts.
15-YEAR Rate-Fee/Pt.
High rate
4.125
1
3.625
1
Low rate
3.750
1
3.125
1
Average rate
3.937
1
3.375
1
This graphic represents a recent survey of regional lending institutions. Figures are based on rates at Range Bank, First Bank of Upper Michigan, the Marquette Community Federal Credit Union and mBank.
Thursday, December 28, 2017
US home prices up 6.2 percent Cost of houses outpace wage growth By JOSH BOAK AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON — U.S. home prices climbed a robust 6.2 percent from a year ago, amid strong demand from would-be buyers and a shrinking supply of properties for sale. Standard & Poor's said Tuesday that its S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller national home price index stood in October a solid 6 percent above its previous 2006 peak. Prices are rising at more than double the pace of wage growth, creating some affordability pressures that have been offset by relatively low mortgage rates. Metro areas with booming job markets and the steepest home price gains could see more residents staying as renters.
Se e ds
This Nov. 14 photo shows an instructor demonstrating a folding technique for designing indigo dyed fabric at Wanariya workshop in Tokyo. (AP photo)
Beginners take heart: Indigo dyeing makes everyone look good By LINDA LOMBARDI Associated Press When the outcome of a craft project is a surprise, it's often not a good surprise. My recent experience trying indigo dyeing in Tokyo was an exception to that rule. Dye from the indigo plant has been used for centuries all over the world. It's the familiar blue of blue jeans, and in a class at the Wanariya workshop in Tokyo, the technique we used was also familiar: A simple version of the craft called shibori, it reminded me of tiedyeing in school art classes long ago. Using some scraps as examples, the teacher first explained how to wrap the fabric around marbles with rubber bands, or twist bits of it up with rubber bands, depending on the pattern we wanted. He also showed us a couple of folding techniques, but to me these screamed “not for beginners,” so I stuck with the rubber bands and marbles. We were each given a lovely indigo-dyed apron to cover our clothes, and two pairs of rubber gloves to wear on top of each other. The reason for the latter was obvious: The instructor's blue-stained fingers looked like they probably never come completely clean. He warned us that the vat of dye would smell strong. It wasn't pleasant, but not awful either. Just as striking was the look of it — this wasn't just a tub of colored liquid. The surface was covered with froth, with a big bubble in the middle that he said was called “the flower of indigo.” The instructor soaked my piece of fabric in plain water first so it would take up the dye better. Then he told me to dunk it in the vat and knead it “for as long as I say.” That's where the process gets complicated. After kneading, you lift the item out of the dye and hold it in
the air for a few moments, while the color changes from a sort of dull brown to blue, as oxidation takes place. Then you dunk and knead it again — and possibly again. The duration and number of dips is how dyers get so many shades of blue — traditionally there are 48 — out of the same pot of dye. Rinsing was left to a small washing machine. When the other two people in the class unwrapped their items, all three of us gasped at how beautiful they were. I assumed they had some talent that I lacked, but when I unwrapped mine, we all exclaimed the same way. No doubt to a real artisan, the results looked like they'd been made by children, but I've never done a craft where the first attempt was so surprising and satisfying. Indigo dyeing is complex and unlike other natural dyes. It's not easy to get indigo to dye fabric, which is why it's good for tie-dying: A rubber band is enough to stop it. Most dyes are soluble in water, but not indigo, says Catharine Ellis, textile artist and co-author of a forthcoming book on natural dyes. “Even if it's a fine powder, you stir it up and you just have fine particles in the water,” she says. To make the indigo soluble takes “magic and chemistry.” The Japanese method involves composting the indigo leaves. Then, creating and tending the dye vat sounds something like caring for a sourdough starter. There's talk about “feeding” and keeping it “healthy,” like it's a living thing. Indigo needs an alkaline environment, which is achieved by using substances like wood ash lye. Then, natural materials are added: Ellis may use sugar or henna; the Japanese use plant material or sake. “What happens is what's called a reduction,” Ellis
says. “During the fermentation and reduction, the oxygen molecule that is bound to the indigo very strongly become less strongly bound, so the indigo can become soluble in water.” As the natural materials break down, conditions become more acidic, so you have to keep “feeding” the vat. “All that froth on the top, you learn how to read it — the size of the bubble, the color of the bubbles,” Ellis says. “You take the pH, you do dye tests with it, you just have to observe.” Indigo and cotton have a special relationship, sticking to each other “like no other dyes and fibers,” says Teresa Duryea Wong , author of “Cotton and Indigo from Japan” (Schiffer, 2017). Most people think of silk when they think of Japanese textiles. But Wong says cotton holds a special place as well. “Raising cotton in Japan started about 600 years ago and it changed everything,” she says. Back then, when the nobility controlled all aspects of everyday life, peasants could grow cotton on the edges of their fields and experiment with it, since it was unregulated. Indigo-dyed cotton was first used for farmers' clothes and fisherman's and fireman's jackets. Gradually it became more decorative, eventually growing into an art form.
“Since home prices are rising faster than wages, salaries, and inflation, some areas could see potential home buyers compelled to look at renting,” said David M. Blitzer, managing director and chairman of the index committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices. The strongest annual gains occurred in Seattle, where prices have shot up 12.7 percent since October 2015. Las Vegas has seen prices increase 10.2 percent, while San Diego notched growth of 8.1 percent. Of the 20 metro areas tracked by the index, Washington, DC reported the smallest price gain with 3.1 percent. As the economy has steadily recovered from the
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for in-store sales rather than 15 inches for a catalog. So we go for a more varnished look to make a good first impression,” he said. The kind of information to expect from these miniature reference guides: Days to seed germination and maturity. Expect those to vary somewhat, though, based on sun exposure, soil temperature, fertility and moisture. Seed count and packing date. “Seed longevity is dependent on the type of seed and also storage conditions,” Sanchez said, recommending that any leftovers be kept cool and dry until another planting season rolls around. “Over time, viability and germination rates will decline.” Plant profile and size: whether it's a hybrid, open pollinated or an heirloom, an annual, biennial or perennial. Planting instructions, including seed
Tableware
2008 financial crisis, demand from would-be buyers has steadily improved. The 17-year low unemployment rate of 4.1 percent has left more Americans confident enough to put bids on homes. Sales of existing homes in November reached their strongest pace since December 2006, according to the National Association of Realtors. But the sales growth hasn't compelled more people to list their homes for sale, as the number of properties on the market has tumbled nearly 10 percent in the past 12 months. Mortgage giant Freddie Mac said last week that the rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 3.94 percent, down from 4.30 percent a year ago.
spacing and soil depth, light conditions and moisture requirements. Then there's the bonus information available through “QR” or quick-response coding, those usually square, artistic designs appearing more frequently on the flip side of seed packets. Download a free QR code reader app into your smart phone or tablet so you can read links and find information online. “You can use smart phones to scan QR readers for a great many plant-particular details — information that just wouldn't fit on the back of seed packets,” Sanchez said. “It is a good idea to hang onto the seed packages after sowing as references for future care and harvesting,” she added.
Online: For more about how to read seed packets, see this fact sheet from University of Vermont Extension: http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/articles/seedpkt.ht ml You can contact Dean Fosdick at deanfosdick@netscape.net
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There are jaunty lidded Chawa Muchi cups, traditionally used for egg custard. Painted with star flowers or clover, they'd make a pretty presentation for a sweet dessert. Children's chopstick sets include holders shaped like pandas, cats and bunnies. Beautiful Wakasa chopsticks are made of hand-lacquered wood that's then inlaid with shell or pearl in a design meant to evoke the clear, rippling waters of Japan's Wakasa Bay. Forget those boring buffet Read The Mining Journal’s Sunday Auto Section to find the perfect auto for you!
platters; consider a detailed, miniature lacquerware boat or bridge on which to perch the savories or sweets. Red and gold trim accents these glossy black pieces that would bring a touch of drama to the table. CB2 has a matte-black, rustic, clay stoneware dish set comprised of a cup and saucer, bowl and two round plates with raised edges in
the traditional Japanese style. And School of the Art Institute of Chicago student Louis Kishfy designed a serene little tea mug that marries a gritty, tactile stoneware base with a silken glazed cloak in white, cobalt or sky blue.
BIG C REALTY (906) 387-3074 321 E. Munising Ave., Munising www.bigcrealty.com office@bigcrealty.com
1103444 3 BR log home on 101’ of pristine Powell Lake - sandy shoreline with fire pit and dock for daytime and evening enjoyment!! This home features a full walkout finished basement, front and rear roofed decks, metal roof, fireplace in dining area for the cozy atmosphere, open beam ceiling on main level with spiral stairway to upper level loft. $179,900. 1102790 Classic timber-frame 3 BR, 4 bath home, which sits on 11+ acres with 316’ of frontage on Sister Lake. This beautiful home sits between the Hiawatha National Forest, The Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore and the Town of Munising. $595,000. 1105064 Looking for that perfect hunting spot? This is it!!! 190 acres with DEXTER CREEK meandering through - blinds set up throughout the property - select cut a few years ago making it excellent for deer habitat! A 3 bedroom hunting cabin (third bedroom is the loft) featuring a full basement, bath, kitchen-living area with cathedral ceiling, fireplace, wrap around deck and year round access. $229,900. 1104554 Cozy updated 2 BR home on corner lot with attached 1 car garage and a wonderful yard to put in your garden and/or add to the perennial flowers already there. Home features newer windows, new drywall, new electric, new plumbing and HW heat runs, fully insulated with spray foam (walls, attic, crawl space), new bathrooms, and very economical to live in. Hardwood and pine planked flooring throughout plus ceramic flooring in both bathrooms. $69,900. 1103349 Beautiful 3 BR ranch home overlooking Au Train Lake. For those of you who are looking for a finished home this is it. On the main level the living room, dining area and kitchen have a open concept. Nice size master, large bathroom, and a separate laundry room just off the garage. The walkout basement has been completely finished with a large family area, two bedrooms and a full bath. Many updates include new roof, upper deck and stairs, new front porch, cement apron, gutters across the front of the house, finished bedrooms in the basement. Autrain Lake is 840 Acres in size. Awesome lake for swimming, boating, kayaking and fishing. Property borders National Forest Land and is close to Lake Superior. $190,000.
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Northern
Michigan
Land Brokers
RARE FIND
LAKEFRONT HOME OR CAMP
DICKINSON COUNTY HUNTING TRACT
COZY HOME
120 Acres, Co Road AAO Champion
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160 Acres, Camp Nine Road Ralph
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FRONTAGE ON BOTH SIDES OF 480
PRICED TO SELL!
GREAT HOME IN THE COUNTRY!
73 Acres, County Road 480 Marquette
344 Shot Point Drive Marquette
1652 Engman Lake Road Skandia
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RECREATION PROPERTY NEAR MARQUETTE
OWN YOUR VERY OWN BUSINESS!
SIX ACRES ON PERCH LAKE
38 ACRES & 5 BR HOME!
27 Acres, Little Garlic River Road Marquette
518 E. McLeod Avenue Ironwood
Lot D, Perch Lake Republic
3147 Maple Ridge Road Rock
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WOODED RESIDENTIAL PARCEL
GREAT PROPERTY!
ON THE LAUGHING WHITEFISH RIVER
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GOLF COURSE BUILDING LOTS
YEAR ROUND ROAD
LARGE LAND TRACT & CAMP
CHOCOLAY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Lots 1-5, Golf View Drive Manistique
80 Acres, Kirkpatrick Lane Gwinn
19223 Jack Spur Rd (Carp Lake Township) Wakefield
5025 US41 South Marquette
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Love the Land!
Bob Sullivan
Associate Broker/ Owner Cell: 906-361-4212
MLS #: 1104222 $110,000 BOB SULLIVAN
Rob Sullivan
Associate Broker, Office Manager Cell: 906-362-3337
Brian Olson
Associate Broker Cell: 906-869-6446
MLS #: 1103298 $450,000 SUE FELDHAUSER
Nathan Brabon Agent Cell: 906-869-8451
Sue Feldhauser Agent Cell: 906-360-2891
MLS #: 1105429 $1.3 million ROB SULLIVAN
Charles Drury Agent Cell: 906-235-3198
Nicole Tedder Agent Cell: 906-280-1459
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