Have you had an opportunity to browse our new site. My favorite new feature is the Weather Time Machine. It is my brother’s 58th birthday today, so I was able to access August 16, 1949 and report that it was warm, sunny, clear and love was in the air that particular day. Frequently, brides to be ask what weather was for a specific date over the last 5 or 10 years. They want to see the likelihood of rain or sunshine. Try many of our new features of a few of the time tested old favorites and let me know what your think about our efforts.
And, if you have any problems with www.farmersalmanac.com , report them to me as well. There are bound to be a few “bugs” at the start. But, we seem to be off to a good start.
As we approach the middle of August, I am reminded that many people are harvesting their home gardens. The time of day you pick vegetables affects the quality and taste. Try picking leafy vegetables and herbs early in the morning when they still glisten with the dew.
For other veggies, try picking them close to when you you are going to prepare them as possible. To prevent water loss and wilting after picking, place vegetables in plastic bags or containers and store in the refrigerator or another cool place.
I have been husking lots of corn from the cob of late. A good way to remove the silk form the corn is to either brush the corn with an old but clean toothbrush in a downward motion or to rub the corn with a damp paper towel. It beats pulling the hairs off strand by strand.
Speaking of corn, if your child enjoys corn but struggles getting butter on it, generously butter a piece of bread and have the child roll the corn cob until it is completely covered. Speaking of butter, the 2008 Farmers’ Almanac will weigh in on the debate of what tastes better – butter or margarine??
Technorati Tags: Farmers’ Almanac, Weather Time Machine, historical weather
Peter Geiger is the Editor of the Farmers' Almanac. 
If you notice a hole in the upper left-hand corner of your Farmers' Almanac, don't return it to the store! That hole isn't a defect; it's a part of history. Starting with the first edition of the Farmers' Almanac in 1818, readers used to nail holes into the corners to hang it up in their homes, barns, and outhouses (to provide both reading material and toilet paper). In 1910, the Almanac's publishers began pre-drilling holes in the corners to make it even easier for readers to keep all of that invaluable information (and paper) handy.
