Apron Strings

Where have all the aprons gone? My interest was piqued when looking for dresses, hats, purses and aprons for my garden ladies. They are hard to find. Explored the flea markets and antique shops, found a few I liked. My collection is growing and I wanted to share them with you.  They are so fun to look at and try on. My mom and grandmother wore aprons all the time. When they went to the kitchen that was the first thing that was put on. They were a practical necessity. They covered up the dress underneath to protect it from soiling. Plus aprons were used for everyday tasks. Perfect for carrying eggs from the hen house, vegetables from the garden, perhaps a receipe. Mom used to wipe the hands and the dirty face of my little sister. That apron had a pocket to which collected glasses, bobby pins, had a tissue, just about anything that seemed important at the moment. I wear my aprons every so often, mostly around holiday time.  It feels good, a sense of home, a memory. I remember you Mom!

Thoughts About Gardening

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Makes sense. When thinking about why I like to garden, my thoughts go back to my Dad. His roots go back to a simple upbringing, growing alot of their own food, by necessity certainly, but he did take pleasure in"working the soil". My Dad sure could grow roses and he enjoyed his own backyard garden. I learned alot by watching, helping and listening to his garden stories. If I had a question about some garden problem he always had an answer and a story to go with it.
   So here's my thoughts, my list on gardening and why I do it.
* there is conflict about, but in my garden, there is peace
* I can cry and laugh in my garden, she understands
* I can't imagine my life without gardening
* it's my place to be creative
* the garden will always give back, if you take the time to let it
* yes, sore muscles, always weeds......
* but I am taught the joy of nuturing, and my soul is nourished
* a garden connects you to others
* I feel good when a neighbor says, "I love your garden"
* I can pray in my garden....
* gardening is like having my own support group
* I can smell, see, taste, hear, and touch in my garden...
* I know the POWER OF GREEN
Thank You my garden!!!

Back to the Garden 2013

What a year it has been..but I'm back. I will get to all that later but right now...... it's a beautiful day outside! There's a breeze, kind of cool actually, sun shining, butterflies are out, and all hydranges and roses are a bloom. From my dining room window I can see the hummingbird feeders, hoping to catch a glimpse of one or two stopping by for a little nectar. WAIT A MINUTE.........you're probably wondering why I'm in the house on such a fantastic day??? Well, Heather, my blog instructor is coming over today to help me "revisit" the "how to" of  blog writing, posting, etc. My garden pictures are no longer showing up and well, "where did they go?" Needless to say, I NEED HELP! I have alot to share with you garden friends and I have taken alot of pictures of the garden that you just need to see. So in the house at the computer, lesson time. Stick with me, so many things to share, a surprise or two, nope... not telling yet. It will be there soon. PS.... Next post.Let's all think about 'why do we garden?' Thanks for hanging in there with me!         

HOMEGROWN TOMATOES

 There is nothing better tasting than a homegrown tomato!
Sure, it has to be staked and watered, but for the lovers of
this wonderful fruit/veggie, its well worth it. This year I'm only
growing the grape tomato. I'm trying 2 different varities:
Napa Grape Hybrid from Burpee and Tami G Hybrid from
Bonnie Plants. About 65 days to harvest, they do need
at least 6 hrs. of sun. Here's a tip I learned from my Dad,
prune out the suckers below the first flower cluster. This
will encourage a strong main stem and allows the sun to get
to all of the plant.Most of the sugar produced goes to the
developing fruit. You will see larger fruits and a continuous
supply throughout the season. Dad also said to plant marigolds
around tomatoes to keep some of pests away. Now I don't
have the big green worms, but there is a pesky chipmunk
who loves my tomatoes. We are doing battle! I have watched
my tomatoes growing, anticipating that first bite. Finally picked
the first bowl (see the picture), and my husband and I will
be eating right from the vine. They are sweet and not to juicy.
Used for salads, kebabs, roasting, my favorite way to eat
them is to slice in half, and put a small mozarella ball in between
the halves and secure with a toothpick. Marinate them with an
italian dressing or balsamic glaze...delicious! I will be visiting
the Farmers Market for the larger tomatoes, so good on
hamburgers, in salsa, canning and oh, have you ever tried
fried-green tomatoes? However you like them tomatoes are
known for their antioxidant benefits, and are heart-healthy.
Keep eating those tomatoes!!!!

I LOVE HERBS

   Herbs, they are fresh, fragrant, and flavorful. I think they are the most useful plants in the garden. The pleasures of herbs are many. From the growing in the garden, to uses in the kitchen, crafting and decorating, herbs inspire me! They were my first major attempt at actually sitting down and make a small simple garden plan. I wanted to grow lavender. The smell is  intoxicating and so pretty to look at. Easy to grow, they love the sun, and don't require alot of water. They also survive my claylike soil. I always cut the spikes right after they first bloom. I like to make potpourris bags from the blossoms that grow above the foliage. The scent can last as long as a year. I also cut the lavender and bunch them together tying the spikes to hang from the beams in my kitchen. A simple rule about herbs, keep snipping and they will continue to grow. I now have about 8 shrubs of lavender in my  garden. Except for chives which I grow alongside the lavender, my growing of herbs I do in herb pots, or topiarys. The picture shows my rosemary topiary and 2 large clay herbal pots. I grow lots of basil, another favorite, dill, thyme, and lemon thyme, spearmint, lemon balm, oregano, and parsley. They are on my patio and close to the kitchen.  Only my rosemary do I winter over, because I love topiarys. About September, I clean out my pots. I replant new each spring. Herbs are a simple pleasure! They are fun, inexpensive and easy to grow. They will make you feel good!! I love herbs!

NEW RECEIPE

I did it! I actually prepared 2 favorite receipes, took pictures and posted for all to see. Look under Earthly Delights for the receipes, Tomato Caprese and Prosciutto Asparagus Spirals. You can also view the pictures in the gallery. Just touch any of the pictures to view all. These receipes are so good for appetizers. The Tomato Caprese can also serve as a salad for one or 2 people. Delicious especially when using fresh homegrown tomatoes and basil. The cheese is homemade from a store here locally. The wine is Robert Mondavi, Sauvignon Blanc and I served it with white mini crostini toasts. The basil is from my garden and the tomato came from the local farmer's market.  For the Spirals I used Pepperidge Farm Puff Pasrtry, I've also used the deli ham, because the prosciutto can be expensive. Serve right from the oven. So delicious warm. Try them both. ENJOY!!

MY LOVING HELPER, SAM

  We had a special birthday this month! Sam the Pug turned one. I love this dog. He makes me smile! I had to share 2 pictures of Sam. The puppy pose shows him at 6wks. and when my son Ben put him in my arms I instantly bonded. This pup could do no wrong! The CUTEST dog alive! He loves to be outside exploring the yard, sniffing, digging, trying to catch the chipmunks, and lying in the sun taking naps. He also likes to pick up sticks and small rocks, sometimes eating them, but we're working on that. One day he "worked" so hard he layed down , rolled on his back and fell instantly asleep. That's the sleeping pose above. Please enjoy some other photos of Sam in the Gallery.