tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56313744156106186912024-03-13T09:01:21.588-04:00Growing DaysGrowing gardens. Growing green. Growing locavores. Growing kids. Growing one day at a time.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.comBlogger203125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-72900769066269532014-04-14T20:32:00.001-04:002014-04-14T20:32:04.779-04:00The Birthday Tree.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QxT-aWjF0_E/U0x9YAqhShI/AAAAAAAAGdg/FyoMhErPdSc/s1600/kristen+1st+bday+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QxT-aWjF0_E/U0x9YAqhShI/AAAAAAAAGdg/FyoMhErPdSc/s1600/kristen+1st+bday+tree.jpg" height="640" width="414" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you plant birthday trees? I hope you'll join me over at the new <a href="http://juliesgardendelights.com/the-birthday-tree/">Garden Delights</a> blog site, where we're celebrating the beauty of birthday trees. Come on over and join the garden party!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-91804346270877138432014-03-17T19:18:00.002-04:002014-03-17T19:18:48.728-04:00Sowing Seeds Successfully.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iw8f8UJbvgk/UyeB0DStG6I/AAAAAAAAGdQ/6RqfgY7H9BE/s1600/DSC_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iw8f8UJbvgk/UyeB0DStG6I/AAAAAAAAGdQ/6RqfgY7H9BE/s1600/DSC_0261.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you ready to kick winter out of the garden and celebrate spring? I am! I hope you'll join the garden party at my new site, <a href="http://juliesgardendelights.com/">Garden Delights</a>. Today, we're talking about the best seed starting set-ups, when to start seeds, and how to get your seedlings garden-ready to ensure a great harvest. Hope you'll join us! </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://juliesgardendelights.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://juliesgardendelights.com </span></a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-76573958485154951672014-03-15T00:12:00.000-04:002014-03-15T00:12:06.635-04:00Floral Friday: Countdown to Spring!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi, gardening friends! Have you found my new site yet? I hope you'll join the garden party at Garden Delights:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://juliesgardendelights.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://juliesgardendelights.com</span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oq1demhbpHY/UyPSuJlp8rI/AAAAAAAAGdA/nU5uqWl_5rw/s1600/DSC_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oq1demhbpHY/UyPSuJlp8rI/AAAAAAAAGdA/nU5uqWl_5rw/s1600/DSC_0281.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, we're playing a fun game called "Floral Friday." The rules are simple: gather some items from your garden, and make something beautiful to enjoy. Stop by my new site to see what I found in the garden today, then share your own creations on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Garden-Delights/82913300987">Garden Delights Facebook page</a>! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you'll visit my new home. It feels lonely without you!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Gardening!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-1890581439055078742014-03-06T22:04:00.001-05:002014-03-06T22:04:44.955-05:00Feed the Monarchs!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gnGnov6dzrE/Uxk2sE52sxI/AAAAAAAAGcs/6Odc5XO6wIU/s1600/monarch+lantana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gnGnov6dzrE/Uxk2sE52sxI/AAAAAAAAGcs/6Odc5XO6wIU/s1600/monarch+lantana.jpg" height="540" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can gardeners save a species? Why yes. I think we can. To find out how, please come over to the new blog site, <b>Garden Delights</b>:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://juliesgardendelights.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://juliesgardendelights.com</span></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you'll join the garden party at my new home!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-43447423801463154182014-03-02T23:36:00.001-05:002014-03-02T23:36:35.813-05:00New Site, New Garden Party!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1H79eoC0vXs/UxQENQnqpPI/AAAAAAAAGcc/jql-lOZCVUQ/s1600/DSC_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1H79eoC0vXs/UxQENQnqpPI/AAAAAAAAGcc/jql-lOZCVUQ/s1600/DSC_0276.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In case you missed the announcement last week, Growing Days is now Garden Delights. I have a new home, too, after too many Blogger glitches. I hope you'll join </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the garden party at my new place:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://juliesgardendelights.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://juliesgardendelights.com</span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While it might seem like there are lots of changes--new name, new location, a few new party games like "Floral Friday" and a bigger emphasis on enjoying the DELIGHTS of our gardens--the heart of the blog remains the same: </span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Growing Gardens</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Growing Green</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Growing Locavores</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Growing Kids</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Growing One Day at a Time</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's scary making changes, and my new home feels a little lonely. I hope you'll come join the garden party! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-70102909941656117732014-02-26T21:10:00.001-05:002014-02-26T21:10:41.488-05:00Emerging from Hibernation...with a New Baby.
<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bears do it. Bees do it. Even our
beloved gardens do it. So, if it seems that a certain garden writer
also crawled into a den to hibernate for the winter, there's a hint
of truth there.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Oh6Jm_mMKE/Uw5VYzv8WzI/AAAAAAAAGak/GXsPi8WFpMg/s1600/DSC_0290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Oh6Jm_mMKE/Uw5VYzv8WzI/AAAAAAAAGak/GXsPi8WFpMg/s1600/DSC_0290.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In reality, though, I've been locked in
my office, preparing to introduce you to my new baby: a brand new
(and, hopefully, improved) blog!
</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gone are the days of combatting
Blogger's technical glitches. Gone are the funky formatting issues,
disappearing posts, and garden writer angst.
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gone, too, is confusion between my
business and blog names in social media outlets. Am I Growing Days?
Am I Garden Delights?
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Who am I?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Instead of debating great existential
questions, I finally bit the proverbial bullet:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Welcome to <a href="http://juliesgardendelights.com/">Garden Delights!</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hope you'll make the journey and join the garden party at my new site! (If you'd be so kind to update your bookmarks and follow along over there, I'd be grateful! Change always makes me nervous, but this is a GOOD change. I promise.) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While technically things changed, the
content will remain primarily the same:
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Growing Gardens</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Growing Green</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Growing Locavores</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Growing Kids</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Growing One Day at a Time</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lately, though, as I've sat by the fire
with a pile of seed catalogs, dreaming of spring, I realized that
there's more. I want to showcase the <i>pleasure</i> of the garden, to
chat about how we can benefit from the <i>delights</i> our gardens
provide. So, look for:
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">More delicious (I hope!) recipes,
featuring ingredients from CSA baskets, farmers' markets, or your own
garden.
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Floral Fridays, where we'll bring
seasonal beauty indoors, creating bouquets from the garden to enjoy
or to share with a friend.
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nature nuts, focusing on getting kids
out in the forest, splashing in rivers, playing with chickens, or
digging in dirt.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Garden tours, where we visit gardens
around the world...and never need to pull a single weed.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Resource reviews, including the most
delightful new books and products I've read or personally tested.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We all know gardening is work--I'm not
too Pollyannaish to pretend otherwise. But at the end of the day,
when we're sweaty, tired, and have mulch in unmentionable places,
isn't the point of it all to savor our <a href="http://juliesgardendelights.com/">Garden Delights</a>?
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yGj5RxUp7GI/Uw5VY_o0q0I/AAAAAAAAGag/OrT-4N4Cle8/s1600/DSC_0337.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yGj5RxUp7GI/Uw5VY_o0q0I/AAAAAAAAGag/OrT-4N4Cle8/s1600/DSC_0337.jpg" height="588" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The snow and ice disappeared from the
garden, and the early spring bulbs are bursting into bloom. It seems
serendipitous to launch a new gardening site as the daffodils and
crocuses awaken, don't you think?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, thank you, friends, for joining me on the new site. I really hope you do. And welcome new friends. I hope we'll
all have great fun together at this little ongoing garden party!
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Julie</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">P.S. Did I mention there's a new site? :-) Here's the new address for you to copy and paste:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://juliesgardendelights.com/"><b>http://juliesgardendelights.com</b></a> (And, if I happen to be on your blogroll, I'd be SO grateful if you would update the URL. Thank you so much!) </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-74132628802767752952013-12-31T18:35:00.002-05:002014-01-01T23:22:45.643-05:00A Sweet New Year's Treat for You.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here we go. Tomorrow is New Year's Day, the day we all resolve to be better, smarter, thinner, more organized, more energetic, more compassionate, kinder. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But what if we started the New Year by being kinder to ourselves?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What if, instead of forcing ourselves to eat an apple for breakfast tomorrow--even though we're dying to carb-load due to our foggy, champagne-laden brains--what if we treated ourselves, celebrating the New Year with a bit of decadence, with a sugar-load of happiness?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Would we spontaneously combust?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Would we ruin the rest of 2014 by enjoying one sinful, delicious, happy breakfast? Or would we savor it, licking our fingers, lounging in our PJs, sipping a great cappuccino (if that's your thing), and spending a restful, lazy New Year's morning with those we love?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I vote for the latter, minus the cappuccino, since I'm not a coffee girl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So for you, my wonderful friends, I'm giving you a gift. It's a recipe, yes, but it's also permission to ignore the date, to realize that one more seasonal overindulgence will not ruin your goals for 2014.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it might make the start of your New Year a little sweeter.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r97q3jkur6g/UsLVtRPCb2I/AAAAAAAAGWs/J1KYpKcsDjY/s1600/photo1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cinnamon rolls, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r97q3jkur6g/UsLVtRPCb2I/AAAAAAAAGWs/J1KYpKcsDjY/s640/photo1.JPG" title="cinnamon rolls, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, this isn't my recipe. In fact, it's a pretty famous recipe. When I posted photos of my holiday baking extravaganza, several friends knew right away where this recipe originated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/">The Pioneer Woman</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yep, I was a huge fan of her blog when I first started my own, and of course I bought her first cookbook as soon as it hit Barnes and Noble. Her cinnamon rolls are a holiday tradition in our house now. Actually, they've surpassed just the holidays. They're not only great for sharing with neighbors and friends during the festive season, but they're fabulous for bake sales, school functions, teacher breakfasts, whatever requires a decadent dish for many people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's such a happy recipe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c0KcdzcN6OI/UsLVuZNBUTI/AAAAAAAAGWo/TbG1oq6VdCs/s1600/photo2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c0KcdzcN6OI/UsLVuZNBUTI/AAAAAAAAGWo/TbG1oq6VdCs/s640/photo2.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, I've found that I need to tweak it a bit. Granted, I'm not a master baker, but somehow the dough always ends up too moist for me to work with it, so my version uses a little more flour. And I'm definitely not a fan of coffee and maple, so I've changed the icing to strictly vanilla flavor, plus I've increased the amount of icing. I find that I have a heavy hand when pouring icing, and I end up without enough for all of the rolls using the original recipe. If you like a light glaze of icing, then cut back--but I think yummy, thick icing makes them even more heavenly. If you'd like to see the original recipe, though, <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/cinammon_rolls_/">here it is</a>. Obviously, The Pioneer Woman is brilliant. I'm just sharing what works best for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can guarantee one thing, though--she's right. You'll become incredibly popular when you deliver these during the holidays, or anytime of the year. (I've actually had two people ask if I would make them if they paid me. Ummm...no. This is strictly a labor of love.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls (with a few adaptations by yours truly)</b></span><br />
<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dough</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 quart whole milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup vegetable oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 packages active dry yeast (4-1/2 teaspoons)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 cups flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp. baking powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp. baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tbsp. salt</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Filling</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 cups melted butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup ground cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 cups sugar</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Icing</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 lbs. powdered sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12 tbsp. melted butter (1-1/2 stick)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1-1/2 cups whole milk, depending on the consistency you prefer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">dash of salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tbsp. vanilla extract (note: use the good stuff. I also like to scrape a vanilla bean for extra flavor)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Directions:</b></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Heat the milk, oil, and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat--don't boil. Cool to lukewarm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Sprinkle the yeast on top of the milk mixture. Let it rest for a minute to activate. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Add 8 cups of the flour, a few cups at a time (unless you want your kitchen to look like a winter wonderland. Not that I've ever done that.) I love my KitchenAid mixer so much. Although, it's really not mine. I bought it for my bread-making husband many years ago. Selfish present, wasn't it?! Oh, sorry, back to the recipe!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Take a look at the dough after you mix it. Does it look really sticky? If so, then add another cup of flour, mix, and cover with a kitchen towel. Mine always is a little too sticky, but check your dough before you blindly throw in the extra cup of flour. Let the dough rise for an hour.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note: My last batch of dough REALLY rose...over the side of the bowl and onto the counter. So, take a look periodically at your dough during that hour. (I waited a little too long.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Remove the towel, add the baking soda, baking powder, salt and another cup of flour. Mix to ensure everything is well combined. Now, check your consistency once again. Does it stick to your hands in a gloppy glue? Add that extra flour and mix.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Pioneer Woman says you can store the dough in the refrigerator for up to three days, but I always use mine right away. If you store it, just check to make sure it doesn't rise all over your refrigerator--punch it down when it starts growing toward the top of the bowl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Flour your work space and rolling pin. Remove half of the dough and roll into a long rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick. Now, you're ready to add the yumminess.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. For the filling, melt the butter and pour at least 1 cup of it onto the dough, spreading it evenly. I use a pastry brush, but The Pioneer Woman uses her fingers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. Now, sprinkle 1/4 cup cinnamon over the buttery dough. Honestly, I adore cinnamon, so I really just take the container and generously sprinkle the divine spice all over the dough. Adjust to your taste, of course. (My kids are not big cinnamon fans. Silly kids.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. So, we have butter. We have cinnamon. Now, it's time to add the sugar. I use about 1-1/2 cups of sugar, distributed evenly over the dough. The goal is a delicious, gooey filling, and I've found that this ratio of butter and sugar does the trick. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. Ready? It's time to test your dexterity. Honestly, I find this next step to be the most challenging. It's time to roll. Start on the long side farthest from you, and tightly roll the dough toward you. It's not that this step is necessarily difficult--it's just messy. If you're like me, you'll wind up with a nice flour-butter-sugar-coated sweater during this process. Try to keep the roll tight and even. If the dough is sticking to your work surface, I find that I can lift the dough slightly with one hand and slide a bit of flour underneath, which seems to help. As you near the end of rolling, take the side nearest you, lift it slightly over the roll and pinch it closed. Now, you have a beautiful roll of sugary deliciousness-to-be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11. Make certain your surface is safe for cutting (or transfer dough to a cutting board), and slice the rolled dough into 1-1/2 inch segments using a sharp knife.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12. Drizzle a bit of butter into your pans, coating the bottom and sides. Place the sliced rolls into the pans, spacing evenly without overlapping. (For events with large crowds, like a school function, I use 9 x 12 pans, but for individual gifts, I use round 9" cake pans.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13. Cover the pans/rolls with a kitchen towel and allow them to rise for about 20 minutes--which gives you enough time to roll out and fill the remaining dough. Preheat your oven now, too--375 degrees.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">14. Bake the cinnamon rolls for 13 to 17 minutes, depending on your oven. The goal is a lovely, light golden brown roll. Keep you eyes on them, because they just aren't as tasty when they're too brown. (Not that I would know, of course.) ;-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15. And now, while those babies are baking in the toasty oven, it's time for more sugar...it's time to make the icing. Mmmm! (Do this when your kids aren't around, otherwise they'll want to lick the bowl--and you deserve to lick it yourself after all of this work!) Combine the powdered sugar, milk, butter, salt and vanilla in a large mixing bowl and whisk until smooth. Of course, you need to sample it a few times and add whatever makes you happy--a little more milk to smooth the consistency? Sure. A splash more vanilla? Why not? Adjust to make the icing just as you like it. I don't like it too thin, but I do like it to pour easily over the rolls. It makes icing a cinch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16. After the rolls are removed from the oven and still warm, pour the icing over the top, allowing it to drizzle all over the rolls. My personal goal with icing the cinnamon rolls is that no portion of the roll should be naked. But that's just me. You can use a lighter hand if you prefer.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P1pV_X-0TKs/UsNTdeYsD5I/AAAAAAAAGXA/ddP6jgeveWI/s1600/DSC_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P1pV_X-0TKs/UsNTdeYsD5I/AAAAAAAAGXA/ddP6jgeveWI/s640/DSC_0078.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that, my friends, is my New Year's gift to you...a big, scrumptious, delicious smelling and tasting cinnamon roll for New Year's Day breakfast. No Slim Fast. No grapefruit. Be kind to yourself and go make them, right now, before your begin your celebration tonight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Better yet, if you're having guests over--have them help you bake while you drink champagne, and send them home with a pan of cinnamon rolls. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You will be happy tomorrow morning. I promise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy, happy New Year's to you! May all of your wishes come true!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(And be safe tonight.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-77069397036934637092013-12-29T23:09:00.002-05:002013-12-29T23:09:46.049-05:00Creating Gifts for Christmas Chicks.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christmas passed in the blink of an eye. Didn't it? Am I the only one that feels this way? One minute, I'm up to my elbows in cinnamon roll dough (more on that next time), the next I'm frantically wrapping presents and trying to decide who needs a handwritten note on Christmas cards versus who is up-to-date with kids' happenings via Facebook. Crazy days and late nights resulting in a neglected blog...and then, POOF. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christmas is over.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, then.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm actually feeling a little lost.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The frantic pace screeched to an abrupt halt, and now my brain is preoccupied with seed catalogs, stone paths, chicken coops, and garden plans. The dreary rain isn't cooperating with my new projects, however. So instead, I thought I'd share some of our recent chicken escapades. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's nothing better than a little chicken play time to shift your perspective.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nSPHeHOPVTs/UsBLAX0DjEI/AAAAAAAAGVg/fKJnZK46whw/s1600/DSC_0243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nSPHeHOPVTs/UsBLAX0DjEI/AAAAAAAAGVg/fKJnZK46whw/s640/DSC_0243.jpg" title="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="520" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The girls enjoyed a bit of supervised free ranging in the kitchen garden. Oreo does a fine job keeping an eye on her feathered friends. (She's actually a little afraid of them.)</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfJh0EcX6g8/UsBNedaQ_1I/AAAAAAAAGWA/d89GgJQPWWw/s1600/DSC_0257.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfJh0EcX6g8/UsBNedaQ_1I/AAAAAAAAGWA/d89GgJQPWWw/s640/DSC_0257.JPG" title="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sprite nibbles the herb garden.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xphCfZ2Cz1g/UsBKPx4RZkI/AAAAAAAAGVI/OAyA3vKFQ1U/s1600/DSC_0238.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="555" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xphCfZ2Cz1g/UsBKPx4RZkI/AAAAAAAAGVI/OAyA3vKFQ1U/s640/DSC_0238.JPG" title="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The girls are excellent soil- and compost-turners. When the beds are full of crops, they're also excellent devourers of our dinner. Right now, though, only a few beds are occupied, so they enjoyed mostly free access to the garden.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ekUcY6ESc-s/UsBMRsKMRUI/AAAAAAAAGVw/KvVvqUoeQIk/s1600/DSC_0245.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ekUcY6ESc-s/UsBMRsKMRUI/AAAAAAAAGVw/KvVvqUoeQIk/s640/DSC_0245.JPG" title="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sprouting straw that insulates the garlic bed provided green treats for Willow Wisp and Resa...</span> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-14r4BGXYfzg/UsBORfvs0mI/AAAAAAAAGWU/vfPPoCI4Q-8/s1600/DSC_0265.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="486" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-14r4BGXYfzg/UsBORfvs0mI/AAAAAAAAGWU/vfPPoCI4Q-8/s640/DSC_0265.JPG" title="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...but honestly, the compost overflowing from the bins served as the biggest attraction to the girls. Bugs galore! A chicken feast!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While most of our holiday decorating happened in early December, we added some last minute decor and treats for the girls. After all, nothing says Merry Christmas like eight stockings hung by a run, right?</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AtD5wmofxVg/Ur9hQxL_SZI/AAAAAAAAGSw/4x0zcXwINiE/s1600/DSC_0188.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="610" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AtD5wmofxVg/Ur9hQxL_SZI/AAAAAAAAGSw/4x0zcXwINiE/s640/DSC_0188.JPG" title="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Along with the stockings, the kids enjoyed creating edible garland for their girls. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QdFMNuiV8Xc/Ur9T5Ty-p9I/AAAAAAAAGRA/JBC_GcMd2_4/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="488" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QdFMNuiV8Xc/Ur9T5Ty-p9I/AAAAAAAAGRA/JBC_GcMd2_4/s640/DSC_0161.JPG" title="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Huh. Kristen's arms look freakishly long here. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtMVneifCuY/Ur9Ti8WdDdI/AAAAAAAAGQ4/nAQYVO3TXT8/s1600/DSC_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="462" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtMVneifCuY/Ur9Ti8WdDdI/AAAAAAAAGQ4/nAQYVO3TXT8/s640/DSC_0165.JPG" title="chicken treats, backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6HnT7YWKBI/Ur9VhQx-yyI/AAAAAAAAGRY/DP4IY9poQVU/s1600/DSC_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6HnT7YWKBI/Ur9VhQx-yyI/AAAAAAAAGRY/DP4IY9poQVU/s640/DSC_0167.JPG" title="chicken treats, backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQhjMS4EqyQ/Ur9UPz5ly8I/AAAAAAAAGRI/jcxbLzD0nRo/s1600/DSC_0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="456" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQhjMS4EqyQ/Ur9UPz5ly8I/AAAAAAAAGRI/jcxbLzD0nRo/s640/DSC_0168.JPG" title="chicken treats, backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doesn't Mikey look thrilled at our crafty project? So. Much. Fun.</span> <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uqFeOYqR4o8/Ur9U8qwNKnI/AAAAAAAAGRQ/9pWi-CwDy08/s1600/DSC_0171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="474" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uqFeOYqR4o8/Ur9U8qwNKnI/AAAAAAAAGRQ/9pWi-CwDy08/s640/DSC_0171.JPG" title="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ub_HWzsDbMM/Ur9cmq79QjI/AAAAAAAAGRo/LUnXlllCUp4/s1600/DSC_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="450" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ub_HWzsDbMM/Ur9cmq79QjI/AAAAAAAAGRo/LUnXlllCUp4/s640/DSC_0175.JPG" title="chicken treats, backyard chickens, kitchen garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I even created my first wreath from scratch to hang on the coop.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honestly, I have no idea why I haven't been making our wreaths all of these years. Using the cutoff branches from our Christmas tree trunk, floral wire, and a $3 wreath form from the craft store, it took a whopping 10 minutes to complete the wreath. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7p2yp7pfzsM/Ur9ex6ljs2I/AAAAAAAAGSM/TCAAAWoLJlE/s1600/DSC_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="homemade wreath, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7p2yp7pfzsM/Ur9ex6ljs2I/AAAAAAAAGSM/TCAAAWoLJlE/s640/DSC_0179.JPG" title="homemade wreath, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simply cut the evergreen branches into 5-6 inch segments, bundle, place at an angle, wrap with wire and repeat. </span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So ridiculously easy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The kids hung their completed grape and cranberry garlands on the fence that separates the chickens' run from the pool area. Three long garlands decorated the muddy fence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did I mention that it's been raining A LOT during vacation? The chickens' run is a muddy mess.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At first, the girls weren't certain what to think about the garland.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But then, once they saw their favorite treat--grapes--it was a feeding frenzy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As soon as one chicken plucked a grape from the garland, the rest quickly tried to steal it. A few brave girls plucked their own treats off the strand, but most waited to try to steal the grapes from one another.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Silly chickens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The grapes disappeared in a blink of an eye--much like Christmas. The cranberries lingered a bit longer. Next year, if the girls are extra good and quit sneaking out of the run, we might make the garlands from all grapes--red and green. Festive colors and favorite food!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For now, though, their Christmas treats are just a memory. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many people already packed away their decorations, but we're still trying to maintain a bit of Christmas cheer here. The tree is dropping needles, but the decorations will remain up until January 1. We can all use the extra bit of good fortune by leaving the tree up until New Year's Day, right? It's supposed to be lucky, like eating collard greens and black-eye peas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plus, the chicken stockings just make me laugh, and we all need a little chuckle during the gray winter days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you still enjoying holiday decorations, or are you all tidied up and ready for New Year's?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hoping you and yours enjoyed a lovely holiday season!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie </span> <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-29925099286279317592013-12-28T16:44:00.000-05:002013-12-28T16:44:28.490-05:00And the winner is...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mxfIGYkGeYs/Ur9E8F4mxgI/AAAAAAAAGQo/4uNLV50FdpM/s1600/DSC_0165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mxfIGYkGeYs/Ur9E8F4mxgI/AAAAAAAAGQo/4uNLV50FdpM/s400/DSC_0165.jpg" width="371" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">TJ! Please check your e-mail, TJ, and let me know which two books you would like to receive. Thank you to everyone who entered, and a huge thank you to my wonderful writer friends who generously added their recommendations. What a wonderful list of gardening books we all have now to help entertain us through the cold winter months!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you are enjoying a lovely holiday season. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-84443903527084175962013-12-12T14:37:00.000-05:002013-12-18T10:04:39.418-05:00Too Cold to Garden? Snuggle Up (and Win) a Good Book!<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }A:link { }</style>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's 27 degrees in South Carolina. I'm not complaining. Many northern gardening friends are posting chill-inducing negative numbers and fabulous photos of snow-covered paths. (Those posts provide excellent reminders of why I moved south. The days of lake effect snow and sub-zero wind chill are not days I care to relive.) Still, 27 degrees is brutal for us southern belles. Although there's a box in the garage filled with my infamous end-of-season clearance bulbs awaiting their home in the garden, I'm not venturing out into the bitter tundra until it warms a bit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Like maybe March. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When the temperatures plummet, what's a gardener to do? Why, we embrace the next best thing, of course. </span> <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LIbcbmOibWw/Uqnyb5FYUFI/AAAAAAAAGQY/zAnsuMBtM0g/s1600/garden+books.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LIbcbmOibWw/Uqnyb5FYUFI/AAAAAAAAGQY/zAnsuMBtM0g/s400/garden+books.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We read about gardening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With the holidays upon us, I asked a few of my lovely garden writer friends to share their favorite gardening books. My request is a bit selfish, truthfully. While my hoard of books overflows from the bookshelves onto the floor, I'm always on the lookout for the next great gardening book—or one that I missed. Christmas is coming, after all, and I'm hoping Santa might put a few of these titles under the tree. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've been a good girl. Really. (Well, except for that massive bulb purchase.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">More importantly, though, I'm giving you a gift!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Not only will you have a terrific list to help stock your own gardening library or to hand to Santa when you sit on his lap, but you also have the chance to win <b>YOUR CHOICE</b> of <b>TWO</b> of our experts' favorite books! Hooray for free books!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Plus, you have multiple chances to win. For each action below, you'll receive one entry:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Leave a comment on this post, telling me your favorite book—gardening or otherwise. (Please include an e-mail so I can contact you if you win.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Follow<b> Growing Days.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. Like my Facebook page, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Garden-Delights/82913300987">Garden Delights</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. Follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/garden_delights">Twitter</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">5. Follow me on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/julietadolf/">Pinterest</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Five chances! <b>TWO</b> books—one for a gift, one to keep! Or, keep them both if you'd prefer. The choice is yours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Please enter by <b>midnight EST</b> on <b>Friday night, December 20, 2013.</b> My little elf, Mikey, will pull the winning name from our Magic Santa Hat. We're old school like that, but it will be fair, I promise. I'll announce the winner on Monday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And now, for your reading pleasure...</span><br />
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Favorite Gardening Books</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“My very favorite garden book of all time is <i>The Backyard Parables by Margaret Roach.</i> That will be the one that I take with me to the 'deserted island.' It has just the right amount of challenge and camaraderie. If I read it five times, I'd get something new from it every time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Another favorite is <i>The Bucolic Plague: How Two Manhattanites Became Gentlemen Farmers</i> by Josh Kilmer-Purcell. It was just pure entertainment, and I didn't want it to end.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Interesting, isn't it, that they both have a Martha Stewart connection? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“My third favorite has to be a recent read, <i>The Signature of All Things</i> by Elizabeth Gilbert. It satisfied the plant nerd in me, and the style of writing was just 'period' enough that it held my interest without frustrating me. I thought it was a beautifully crafted historic novel. I read it in record time.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~ <b>Kylee Baumle</b>, co-author of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/098556220X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=098556220X&linkCode=as2&tag=theliteraryworld">Indoor Plant Decor: The Design Stylebook for Houseplants</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Author of the blog, <a href="http://ourlittleacre.blogspot.com/">Our Little Acre</a></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"This is a perennial favorite of mine: <i>Yard Full of Sun: The Story of a Gardener's Obsession that Got a Little Out of Control</i> by Scott Calhoun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Talented plantsman, designer, and writer Scott Calhoun tells with humor and charm the story of how he created an Arizona desert garden for his family in Tucson, Arizona. Great ideas for those of us in more arid climates than are usually featured in garden books." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~ <b>Pam Penick</b>, author of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lawn-Gone-Low-Maintenance-Sustainable-Alternatives-ebook/dp/B008ZPFSKE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386867441&sr=1-1&keywords=lawn+gone+by+pam+penick">Lawn Gone! Low-Maintenance, Attractive, Sustainable Alternatives for Your Yard</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Author of the blog <a href="http://www.penick.net/digging/">Digging</a>, Austin garden designer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“I loved Elizabeth Lawrence's books [<i>A Garden of One's Own, Two Gardeners, A Southern Garden,</i> and more.] I'm presently reading <i>Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life: The Plants and Places that Inspired the Classic Children's Tales </i>by Marta McDowell. I'm loving it, too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“I also love <i>Sunflower Houses</i>, Sharon Lovejoy's wonderful book on gardening with children. Her other books are also wonderful, but that one holds a special place in my heart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“I loved <i>Garden Anywhere</i> by Alys Fowler. I also loved <i>The Beautiful Edible Garden</i> by Stefani Bittner and Leslie Bennett.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Plus, I don't know these people, but I liked their book, <i>Gardening for Geeks</i> by Christy Wilhelmi, founder of <a href="http://gardenerd.com/">Gardenerd.com</a>. As for greenhouses, I like <i>Paradise Under Glass</i> by Ruth Kassinger.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~ <b>Dee Nash</b>, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/20-30-Something-Garden-Guide-Gardening/dp/0985562277/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386867713&sr=1-3&keywords=The+20%2F30+Garden"><i>The 20/30 Something Garden Guide: A No-Fuss, Down and Dirty, Gardening 101 for Anyone Who Wants to Grow Stuff</i> </a>(Available February 2014)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Author of the blog <a href="http://reddirtramblings.com/">Red Dirt Ramblings</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Lois Trigg Chaplin's <i>Southern Gardener's Book of Lists</i>. I have two copies, one for home and one for work! My other favorite, of course, is <i>Container Gardening for All Seasons</i> by Barbara Wise.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~ <b>Barbara Wise</b>, author of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Container-Gardening-All-Seasons-Year-Round-ebook/dp/B008NJVNJM/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386867920&sr=1-1&keywords=container+gardening+for+all+seasons">Container Gardening for All Seasons: Enjoy Year-Round Color with 101 Designs</a></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Author of the blog <a href="http://bwisegardening.blogspot.com/">bwisegardening</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~ </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“<i>American Horticulture Society A to Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants</i>. My first BIG reference book to learn about plants.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“<i>Remarkable Trees of Virginia</i> by Nancy R. Hugo and Robert Llewellyn. Love my trees!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Pam Harper, garden author, lived down a couple miles from me in Seaford. <i>Time Tested Plants: Thirty Years in a Four-Season Garden.</i> She had the best garden...one to drool over.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Margot Rochester's <i>Down to Earth: Practical Thoughts for Passionate Gardeners</i>. A Greenville gardener whose down to earth gardening habits are a good read for a gardener in our area.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“And for my wormies, a book I didn't think I would read through. I thought it would be a reference, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, plan on reading it again: Amy Stewart's <i>The Earth Moved.</i> I will be doing a talk on vermicomposting to a garden club.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~<b>Janet Ledebuhr</b>, Master Gardener</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Author of the blog, <a href="http://thequeenofseaford.blogspot.com/">The Queen of Seaford</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“I keep a dog-eared copy of <i>The Vegetable Gardener's Bible</i> by Edward C. Smith in my storage box out by my garden. It really helps me to plan my garden layout every season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“I also love the story, <i>French Dirt: The Story of a Garden in the South of France</i> by Richard Goodman. It just speaks to me about the discovery of gardening and community. Love it!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>~ Carolyn Binder</b>, freelance writer and author of the blog <a href="http://www.cowlickcottagefarm.com/">Cowlick Cottage Farm</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~ </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Hardly a day goes by that I don’t find another must-have book, classic or brand new, on every topic under the sun (or shade). But one that grounded me as a new gardener and that I revisit often is Scott Ogden’s <i>Gardening Success with Difficult Soils.</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“In poetic and conversational prose, Scott expertly connects us to the garden’s backbone: soil. It’s not a scary dissertation; rather, it’s a revelation about the essential relationship between soil, plants, and wildlife. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Also, I recommend his many others books, including those in collaboration with wife Lauren Odgen Springer, like the remarkable <i>Plant-Driven Design.</i> And Lauren Springer’s beautifully written <i>The Undaunted Garden</i> boosts my knowledge, energy, and creativity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“When I want an escape from it all, I curl up in bed with popcorn and mystery garden novels by my dear friend Susan Wittig Albert and newcomer Rosemary Harris. Rosemary strikes a close chord, since in real life and in her novels, she was a TV producer who cancelled her ratings to go dig in gardens!”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~ <b>Linda Lehmusvirta</b>, Producer, Central Texas Gardener </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Web: <a href="http://www.klru.org/ctg">www.klru.org/ctg</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Blog: <a href="http://www.klru.org/ctg/blog">www.klru.org/ctg/blog</a></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~ </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“One of my fave garden books—dog-eared, well-worn after handling with garden-gloved hands and stained with coffee cup circles, is <i>Fallscaping</i> by Stephanie Cohen and Nancy Ondra, with photos by Rob Cardillo. I believe in gardening for four-seasons and often find that many of my clients and readers give up after a hot summer. This book is good inspiration to keep you gardening through the first frost. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Anything by Tovah Martin. Both the <i>New Terrarium</i> and <i>Unexpected Houseplant</i> are perused often. Tovah has a unique eye for style, one that agrees with my sensibilities. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“And just because it is so ADORABLE, I love <i>Radical Prunings</i> by Bonnie Thomas Abbott. Read closely for her innuendoes...she is the master of them.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~ <b>Helen Yoest</b>, author of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0985416807/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=27054540843&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=685138591427058695&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_8iewf3m20w_b">Gardening with Confidence</a>—50 Ways to Add Style for Personal Creativity </i>and <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Plants-With-Benefits-Uninhibited-Aphrodisiac/dp/0989268802/ref=pd_sim_b_2.">Plants with Benefits</a>—An Uninhibited Guide to the Aphrodisiac Herbs, Fruits, Flowers & Veggies in Your Garden.</i> (Available January 2014)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Author of the blog, <a href="http://www.gardeningwithconfidence.com/">Gardening with Confidence</a></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~ </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Gardening did not come naturally to me. I could kill a plant at one glance. I decided to start a garden after the birth of my third child. We needed access to better vegetables, and a home vegetable garden was our first choice. Reading the backs of seed packages would make my head spin when I was first learning how to garden. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“One of the books that helped build my gardening foundation was <i>Square Foot Gardening </i>by Mel Bartholomew. His step-by-step descriptions of laying out and spacing the garden made complete sense for my overwhelmed brain. It was a great reference guide for starting out, complete with grid layouts, garden organization, and vegetable growing tips. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Now that I’ve been gardening for a few years, I still use the square foot gardening method (but with adjustments to our gardening style and needs). This method works well for my wanna-be orderly, keep-everything-in-its-place brain.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~ <b>Mia Nichols</b>, author of the blog <a href="http://www.modernmia.com/">Modern Mia Gardening</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~ </span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"My favorite gardening book is Amanda Thomsen's <i>Kiss My Aster: A Graphic Guide to Creating a Fantastic Yard Totally Tailored to You</i>.
Because for all the talk in the industry about reaching out and
cultivating new audiences and gardeners, hers is precisely the kind of
thing that would have struck my fancy as a young new homeowner. (As it
happened, I had a green-thumb mom and eventually a next door neighbor
who was both a graphics designer and wonderful gardener.)"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~ <b>Pamela Price</b>, author, journalist, and blogger <a href="http://redwhiteandgrew.com/">Red White & Grew</a></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"My favorite book is <i>Bringing Nature Home</i>
by Doug Tallamy. I am going to hear him speak in the mid-winter, our
Master Gardeners and the local Wildflower Association is sponsoring him
to come...can't wait. I have become enamored with native plants in the
past few years, and his book really helped me see more reasons why
they're so good. I was 'going native' prior to reading his book, but it
solidified it for me. Plus, I became an Audubon at Home Ambassador with
our MG group, and we read his book there, as well."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">~ <b>Jan Doble</b>, author of the blog, <a href="http://thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/">Thanks for Today</a> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank you to Kylee, Pam, Barbara, Janet, Carolyn, Linda, Helen, Mia, Pamela, and Jan for your fabulous recommendations! <b>UPDATE:
Enormous apologies to Pamela and Jan for my carelessness in leaving out
their reviews in the original post. I'm SO sorry!</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now remember--you can't win if you don't play! Good luck!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Julie</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-22958036308315472322013-12-01T11:47:00.003-05:002013-12-01T11:47:11.407-05:00The Interview with An Obsessive Neurotic Gardener.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It might not surprise you
to know that as a kid, I possessed a rather overactive imagination. I
spent a lot of time in my little fantasy world, plotting how I would
save the Earth from an evil dictator, or how I would win Olympic medals
in gymnastics like my hero, Nadia. My obsessive reading habit began when
I was four, so I suppose that helped fuel these fantasies.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0b0tyXYg0FA/Uptng7qBFRI/AAAAAAAAGOs/VA8BBWQM9SQ/s1600/little+house+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0b0tyXYg0FA/Uptng7qBFRI/AAAAAAAAGOs/VA8BBWQM9SQ/s400/little+house+photo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Laura Ingalls Fan Girl. Yes, I had a dress and bonnet. I know you're jealous.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of
course, the result of my heroism/fantastic athleticism/altruism would
result in the quintessential honor--a seat next to Johnny Carson's desk.
I'd charm Johnny with my quips while appearing both humble and
intriguing. The interview would be so spectacular that I knew--knew with
the certainty of my 8-year-old soul--that he'd offer me hundreds of
dollars to take the place of that goofy side-kick of his. (I had no
concept of thousands or millions of dollars back then.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oddly
enough, I never made it to the Olympics, and I'd yet to save the world
or invent the cure for cancer before Johnny left the air. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, I did have the fabulous experience of talking with another John. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gardening guru John Markowski, author of <a href="http://www.obsessiveneuroticgardener.com/">An Obsessive Neurotic Gardener</a>, interviewed me, along with my friends Janet from <a href="http://thequeenofseaford.blogspot.com/">The Queen of Seaford</a> and Mia from <a href="http://www.modernmia.com/">Modern Mia Gardening</a> for his podcast, which you can find <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ongardener/2013/11/18/rapid-fire-questions-for-three-awesome-gardeners">here</a>.
So, if you want to know our most hated plant or the number one
gardening tip you cannot live without, give it a listen. John is a great
host.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And
being a guest on his podcast was just as great as my fantasy of
chatting with that other John. Truly. (Once John gets his own gardening
TV show, I think he needs a side-kick, don't you?!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy December!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-44400792493349037732013-11-12T14:12:00.001-05:002013-11-12T14:15:14.026-05:00Growing Autumn Bouquets.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once upon a time, when I
nervously signed the mortgage for my first house, I didn't rush to
Pottery Barn or Crate and Barrel. Drapes that puddled perfectly on the
floor or bird cages filled with plastic plants or funky plates with
funky linens weren't on my wish list to make my new house homey.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead, I spent every bit of disposable income supporting local nurseries.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BdEYICnwASQ/UnlEXBDBO3I/AAAAAAAAGLA/ktqJFIk5ICI/s1600/DSC_0204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="camellia, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BdEYICnwASQ/UnlEXBDBO3I/AAAAAAAAGLA/ktqJFIk5ICI/s640/DSC_0204.jpg" title="camellia, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me, the happiness of becoming a homeowner meant that I'd finally, finally have a garden. Of course, I wanted a lovely, lushly landscaped garden--but its primary purpose was to fill my new home with fresh flowers. Never again would I wait for someone to bring me a sad, tired vase of ugly red roses. (Please note: this was pre-Peter. He possesses great taste in flowers.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honestly,
is there anything nicer than a just-picked, fresh-from-the-garden,
cheerful bouquet of flowers to make a home feel warm and vibrant? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No. No, there's not. Well, OK, kids and significant others and furry babies are also high up on the list, too. The smell of
apple pie baking also helps. Still, flowers will always be right up
there in their ability to make a blah Wednesday feel like a celebration.
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plus, as much as I love fresh flowers in our home, I love sharing them even more. It's pure happiness to watch a friend receive a bouquet, because flowers make every day a little brighter. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lately, though, I've spent more time obsessing about
growing edibles to feed my family than remembering why I originally
loved gardening. Plus, it's November. The garden looks...uninspiring.
It's easy to snip some tulips in spring or arrange tea roses in summer. In fact, I planned a cutting garden for spring and fall blooms, which you can read about <a href="http://growingdays.blogspot.com/2013/01/flirting-with-flowers_30.html">here</a>. In fall, though, my attention turns to seed catalogs and bulb orders. I know
it's trendy to proclaim fall as everyone's favorite season, but for me? Nope. No, thank you. Bring back my sunshine and pretty spring blooms, pronto.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, when the fearless leader of <a href="http://www.youcangrowthat.com/">You Can Grow That!</a>, C.L. Fornari, challenged our group of garden bloggers
to write about giveaway bouquets, I pushed aside my seasonal affective
disorder and took a stroll around the garden to see if I could find
anything--anything remotely attractive or alive--that would contribute
to a bouquet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Surprisingly, I returned with arms full of material. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pkWrPASWa7I/UnlBMqdraQI/AAAAAAAAGJs/bOxH7mTBk-E/s1600/DSC_0169.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="making autumn bouquets, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="374" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pkWrPASWa7I/UnlBMqdraQI/AAAAAAAAGJs/bOxH7mTBk-E/s640/DSC_0169.JPG" title="making autumn bouquets, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D42ArgNQ3JA/UnlBRl2E4tI/AAAAAAAAGJ0/9lHydybLNTM/s1600/DSC_0171.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="camellias, berries, autumn fern, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D42ArgNQ3JA/UnlBRl2E4tI/AAAAAAAAGJ0/9lHydybLNTM/s640/DSC_0171.jpg" title="camellias, berries, autumn fern, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="496" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5SQpE9zC698/UnlBeOLwK7I/AAAAAAAAGJ8/LgCR15FRpK4/s1600/DSC_0175.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="autumn bouquets, hosts, aucuba, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="410" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5SQpE9zC698/UnlBeOLwK7I/AAAAAAAAGJ8/LgCR15FRpK4/s640/DSC_0175.JPG" title="autumn bouquets, hosts, aucuba, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our camellias, hidden on the south side of the house, are heavy with blooms right now. Sadly, I tend to forget about them, because they aren't along the path I normally take to the kitchen garden. I plan to propagate some of these beauties and plant them in a more visible section of the garden, because they are the perfect fall flower.</span> <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2EeqRc7mKZY/UnlCWvNmHXI/AAAAAAAAGKM/Yo8KmyJR6ew/s1600/DSC_0176.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="camellia, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2EeqRc7mKZY/UnlCWvNmHXI/AAAAAAAAGKM/Yo8KmyJR6ew/s640/DSC_0176.JPG" title="camellia, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hrZ1QxJ6pZc/UnlB4ckbHaI/AAAAAAAAGKE/xF7nsHhuOlQ/s1600/DSC_0179.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="camellia, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hrZ1QxJ6pZc/UnlB4ckbHaI/AAAAAAAAGKE/xF7nsHhuOlQ/s640/DSC_0179.JPG" title="camellia, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XkPQ7rE_CG4/UnlC7II89wI/AAAAAAAAGKc/DRx3fpRB7k4/s1600/DSC_0182.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="viburnum, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XkPQ7rE_CG4/UnlC7II89wI/AAAAAAAAGKc/DRx3fpRB7k4/s640/DSC_0182.JPG" title="viburnum, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The viburnum, however, continues to produce a spectacular, eye-catching show all fall. During spring, these two bushes brighten the back garden with their enormous blooms. While fall blooms aren't nearly as prolific, I still found plenty of flowers, although they were beginning to look a bit tired.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because blooms are scarce during November, foliage needed to play an important part of the bouquet design. Fortunately, we have lots of variegated vines, hostas, and ferns. Even 'Gold Dust' aucuba participated in the November bouquet project.</span> <br />
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<img alt="foliage, http://growingdays.blogspot.com, variegated ivy" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QqRK_mEsQ6U/UnlC8eQadZI/AAAAAAAAGKY/R9jKiGAlNik/s640/DSC_0181.jpg" title="foliage, http://growingdays.blogspot.com, variegated ivy" width="426" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Herbs and berries also made an appearance in the bouquets. While I intended to use bronze fennel, some little creature had eaten most of it. Instead, the airy branches of Florence fennel added a frothy texture, as well as height, to an arrangement. Encore azaleas, a bloom that I never considered for bouquets prior to our assignment, was also added to the mix. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q0kAE-dfk68/UnlFS6M0huI/AAAAAAAAGLg/yh8x5rf3V0c/s1600/DSC_0218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="fall bouquet, fennel, gold dust aucuba, Encore azaleas, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q0kAE-dfk68/UnlFS6M0huI/AAAAAAAAGLg/yh8x5rf3V0c/s640/DSC_0218.jpg" title="fall bouquet, fennel, gold dust aucuba, Encore azaleas, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After
I cleaned the foliage from the bottom portion of the stems and sorted
the cuttings, I realized that I'd gathered enough materials to make not
one but three bouquets.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D5OlOpE8Oz8/UnlDKt1_LFI/AAAAAAAAGKo/ZE_ZnQmX3pc/s1600/DSC_0189.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="all bouquet, camellia, autumn fern, variegated ivy, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D5OlOpE8Oz8/UnlDKt1_LFI/AAAAAAAAGKo/ZE_ZnQmX3pc/s640/DSC_0189.jpg" title="fall bouquet, camellia, autumn fern, variegated ivy, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="538" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pale pink camellias, viburnum, autumn ferns and variegated ivy.</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JzdVEIEjCiQ/UnlEEnu4CQI/AAAAAAAAGK4/jL6j4SMoG-Y/s1600/DSC_0196.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="camellias, viburnum, fern, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JzdVEIEjCiQ/UnlEEnu4CQI/AAAAAAAAGK4/jL6j4SMoG-Y/s640/DSC_0196.jpg" title="camellias, viburnum, fern, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bN0Da-SKI_4/UnlEduvG3yI/AAAAAAAAGLI/kfKbGZBJQFo/s1600/DSC_0202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Japanese anemone, camellias, berries, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bN0Da-SKI_4/UnlEduvG3yI/AAAAAAAAGLI/kfKbGZBJQFo/s640/DSC_0202.jpg" title="Japanese anemone, camellias, berries, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seed heads from Japanese anemone, camellias, Hearts-A-Bustin' berries, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and variegated potato vine.</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-enc_BlKMkM8/UnlD4YnaWCI/AAAAAAAAGKw/KYA1LW50Ris/s1600/DSC_0201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hearts-A-Bustin berries, cammellias, potato vine, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-enc_BlKMkM8/UnlD4YnaWCI/AAAAAAAAGKw/KYA1LW50Ris/s640/DSC_0201.JPG" title="Hearts-A-Bustin berries, cammellias, potato vine, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J_PK3jxleTE/UnlEwhDaN9I/AAAAAAAAGLQ/Hs2GtdAixmA/s1600/DSC_0211.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Encore azalea, fennel, Gold Dust aucuba, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="522" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J_PK3jxleTE/UnlEwhDaN9I/AAAAAAAAGLQ/Hs2GtdAixmA/s640/DSC_0211.JPG" title="Encore azalea, fennel, Gold Dust aucuba, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Encore azalea blooms, 'Gold Dust' aucuba, and Florence fennel.</span></i><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XqacUfPZiZ8/UnlFLL2GYiI/AAAAAAAAGLY/EwRKQEz1ZLg/s1600/DSC_0220.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Encore azalea, fennel, Gold Dust aucuba, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XqacUfPZiZ8/UnlFLL2GYiI/AAAAAAAAGLY/EwRKQEz1ZLg/s640/DSC_0220.JPG" title="Encore azalea, fennel, Gold Dust aucuba, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-opfIh0zvGHE/UnlFXr3YXNI/AAAAAAAAGLo/1xxCxVKdp9s/s1600/DSC_0222.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fall bouquets, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="542" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-opfIh0zvGHE/UnlFXr3YXNI/AAAAAAAAGLo/1xxCxVKdp9s/s640/DSC_0222.JPG" title="Fall bouquets, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My bouquet making skills need more practice, but it inspired me to remember my first garden and the passion I had--for flowers. Of course, I'll continue obsessing about our edible gardens and native plants, but I'll also keep searching throughout all seasons to bring the garden inside and share it with friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What flowers do you enjoy receiving in your favorite bouquets?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-56129695812355788612013-10-15T00:49:00.001-04:002013-10-15T00:49:56.426-04:00Fall's Fading Blooms.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today felt like autumn. A gray dreariness hung low in the sky. I waited for a bit of sun to peek through the clouds before I headed out to the garden with my camera for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, hosted by <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/">May Dreams Gardens</a>. At 6 p.m., though, I decided that waiting any longer would mean that I'd need a flashlight to photograph the flowers. So out into the grayness I went, hoping to find a few blooms to share.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wkgJ_Harr-w/UlyU0Iskx4I/AAAAAAAAGGk/bd2thdIbReY/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="tropical hibiscus, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="488" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wkgJ_Harr-w/UlyU0Iskx4I/AAAAAAAAGGk/bd2thdIbReY/s640/DSC_0009.JPG" title="tropical hibiscus, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My bargain tropical hibiscus continue to add a splash of color to the front garden. At the low, low price of $5 for two, lovely huge hibiscus, how could I pass them up? Granted, I have greenhouses to tuck them into for the winter, otherwise they wouldn't be very happy in our zone 7b frosty temperatures. I love a good flowering bargain! </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xmukn467Uns/UlyU01-zDGI/AAAAAAAAGGo/r3K0d_XRk7w/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="fraise des bois, alpine strawberry, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="550" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xmukn467Uns/UlyU01-zDGI/AAAAAAAAGGo/r3K0d_XRk7w/s640/DSC_0010.JPG" title="fraise des bois, alpine strawberry, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, I'm once again singing the praises of fraise des bois. The plants are still covered in their darling little blooms, and even better--they're producing another nice showing of their incredibly sweet fruit. What's not to love about these little edible beauties? They are darling in a pot, plus they make a lovely, non-creeping boarder in shady beds. Truly, they will always be one of my favorite plants.</span> <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MM0O3wF9nMI/UlyV2u2xTNI/AAAAAAAAGG4/yg2i_kMiavc/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Japanese anemone, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MM0O3wF9nMI/UlyV2u2xTNI/AAAAAAAAGG4/yg2i_kMiavc/s640/DSC_0013.JPG" title="Japanese anemone, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Japanese anemones put on quite a show for the past month. Now, they're slowly winding down, with a few dozen blooms remaining. It's definitely time to thin and transplant these beauties.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m_SWkjwAUu0/UlyV_IyZLzI/AAAAAAAAGHA/9l3Ekz0kKmg/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="pansies, violas, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m_SWkjwAUu0/UlyV_IyZLzI/AAAAAAAAGHA/9l3Ekz0kKmg/s640/DSC_0012.JPG" title="pansies, violas, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If it's fall, then you know it's time for pansies and violas--hooray! Just as I'm beginning to feel blue about the lack of blooms in the garden, the cheerfulness of pansies erases my grumpiness. The violas found their home in the potager this weekend, but the many, many flats of pansies are anxiously awaiting the blister on my palm to heal so that they, too, can get tucked into their new garden home.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L6BiWxhwYus/UlyVwJOVYTI/AAAAAAAAGGw/hbIbGUNFk7M/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hardy hibiscus, katydid, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="458" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L6BiWxhwYus/UlyVwJOVYTI/AAAAAAAAGGw/hbIbGUNFk7M/s640/DSC_0015.JPG" title="hardy hibiscus, katydid, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the best things about photographing the garden is that you never know what you might find, like this katydid hiding in the hardy hibiscus...</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iqQH7bJhsVg/Uly7DfsoWXI/AAAAAAAAGJQ/544qKvOFNKg/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="praying mantis egg case, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iqQH7bJhsVg/Uly7DfsoWXI/AAAAAAAAGJQ/544qKvOFNKg/s640/DSC_0025.JPG" title="praying mantis egg case, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...or the praying mantis egg case on the lemon tree. We're anxiously awaiting our new beneficial arrivals to the garden.</span><br /><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2VD9wHtQgPg/UlyW3udxBOI/AAAAAAAAGHU/3TXdsQ_VJug/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="camellia, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2VD9wHtQgPg/UlyW3udxBOI/AAAAAAAAGHU/3TXdsQ_VJug/s640/DSC_0019.JPG" title="camellia, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also surprising are the camellias. Years ago, I planted half a dozen camellias along the south side of the house, an area we rarely pass on our way to the forest or the kitchen garden. It's a shame, because the camellias are spectacular right now. We need to add something to the area to make it a destination instead of an after-thought. The blooms shouldn't be missed, but often I do.</span> <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLNaHhqxgMg/UlyXZvnCb3I/AAAAAAAAGHk/RZcyP5r-aNQ/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="yellow mums, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLNaHhqxgMg/UlyXZvnCb3I/AAAAAAAAGHk/RZcyP5r-aNQ/s640/DSC_0026.JPG" title="yellow mums, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not typically a mum fan, but somehow it doesn't seem like fall without a few bursts of bright cheerfulness. The tired garden certainly benefits from the mums' overwhelming sunniness.</span><br />
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<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6CSZYJvbqA/UlycVE289FI/AAAAAAAAGIM/GJyaGSeWaNY/s1600/DSC_0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="tea olive, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6CSZYJvbqA/UlycVE289FI/AAAAAAAAGIM/GJyaGSeWaNY/s640/DSC_0038.jpg" title="tea olive, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="470" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The microclimate by the pool garden continues to encourage blooms. The tea olives smell divine...</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IM9UJ_RoKK0/Ulycyxp7bOI/AAAAAAAAGIU/w7eOVkKDpHY/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Encore Azalea, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IM9UJ_RoKK0/Ulycyxp7bOI/AAAAAAAAGIU/w7eOVkKDpHY/s640/DSC_0037.JPG" title="Encore Azalea, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...the Encore azaleas provide a great burst of showy color...</span> <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sGfgn-WYn40/UlycGzNDkKI/AAAAAAAAGIE/JYrgyUgSl8A/s1600/DSC_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="peach Drift rose, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sGfgn-WYn40/UlycGzNDkKI/AAAAAAAAGIE/JYrgyUgSl8A/s640/DSC_0036.JPG" title="peach Drift rose, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...and the peach Drift roses burst with new blooms. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xXgJPM_0eGw/UlybwMX54XI/AAAAAAAAGH8/fZN5mcXrSvo/s1600/DSC_0035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="snail flower, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xXgJPM_0eGw/UlybwMX54XI/AAAAAAAAGH8/fZN5mcXrSvo/s640/DSC_0035.jpg" title="snail flower, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The containers by the pool continue to send out new blooms. I keep searching for seeds from my favorite heirloom, snail flower. At $1 per seed, I'm hoping to harvest a few seeds for next year. Nothing yet, but I'm crossing my fingers.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-reVeufTCewY/Uly-H7eK2TI/AAAAAAAAGJc/s1NvH60YFYk/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="mandevilla, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-reVeufTCewY/Uly-H7eK2TI/AAAAAAAAGJc/s1NvH60YFYk/s640/DSC_0032.JPG" title="mandevilla, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The mandevilla seems to enjoy the cooler temperatures, which seems counter-intuitive to its nature. Soon, I'll be keeping a close eye on the weather for freeze warnings to make certain these babies and my other warm-natured plants are safely nestled into the greenhouses before it becomes too chilly.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KGoPOdshj5w/UlyXYnGo_RI/AAAAAAAAGHg/5MBhCK-41oM/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="viburnum, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KGoPOdshj5w/UlyXYnGo_RI/AAAAAAAAGHg/5MBhCK-41oM/s640/DSC_0029.JPG" title="viburnum, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ah, the crazy viburnum. How can you not love a plant that blooms...and blooms...and blooms some more? What an incredible workhorse of a plant. We've trimmed and pruned, and still this shrub is heavy with blooms.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FMZt2FoUqfk/Ulyc5wTKXAI/AAAAAAAAGIc/ESW-0C4PuBg/s1600/DSC_0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="marigolds, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FMZt2FoUqfk/Ulyc5wTKXAI/AAAAAAAAGIc/ESW-0C4PuBg/s640/DSC_0045.jpg" title="marigolds, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="616" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Talking about workhorses...holy marigolds! What began as a few plants tucked into the kitchen garden beds to repel pests turned into a sea of orange and red as the weather cooled. The butterflies and bees adore the blooms. I've never been a fan of marigolds, but how can you argue with a profusion of blooms like that? I may need to show marigolds more respect!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iPQFmGvb_kA/UlydexyyT0I/AAAAAAAAGIo/88GYL1R7NWE/s1600/DSC_0048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="basil, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iPQFmGvb_kA/UlydexyyT0I/AAAAAAAAGIo/88GYL1R7NWE/s640/DSC_0048.jpg" title="basil, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The herbs provide blooms for several pollinators. Tiny wasps and bees enjoy the basil flowers. Our basil struggled this summer. I think the enormous amounts of rain caused it to suffer from a fungus, although it's looking better now that it's cooler. Again, for a heat loving plant, I'm perplexed.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pIap3JfvTx4/UlydfNhI57I/AAAAAAAAGIs/jpTZeXZQzVg/s1600/DSC_0049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="scarlet runner bean, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pIap3JfvTx4/UlydfNhI57I/AAAAAAAAGIs/jpTZeXZQzVg/s640/DSC_0049.jpg" title="scarlet runner bean, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I've cleared most of the kitchen garden beds for fall crops, I left the scarlet runner beans. The multicolored blooms add a bit of color to the beds, and the vines continue to produce.</span> <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hb-_mt-NKTc/Ulydqvtor9I/AAAAAAAAGI0/S9o1Zgo2qw4/s1600/DSC_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="small red morning glory, wildflower, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="472" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hb-_mt-NKTc/Ulydqvtor9I/AAAAAAAAGI0/S9o1Zgo2qw4/s640/DSC_0050.JPG" title="small red morning glory, wildflower, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the first time, I found small red morning glory, a native wildflower, in the clearing near the river. </span> <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o3dme11z3wE/UlyeUH2JiFI/AAAAAAAAGJE/20yzOwcDdZQ/s1600/DSC_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="goldenrod, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o3dme11z3wE/UlyeUH2JiFI/AAAAAAAAGJE/20yzOwcDdZQ/s640/DSC_0054.JPG" title="goldenrod, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also don't recall finding goldenrod in previous years. This year, however, we have several patches of it, which I love.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PwggFypes-A/UlyeNRdHCWI/AAAAAAAAGI8/dyIq0J9a1sU/s1600/DSC_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="shiitake, mushroom logs, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PwggFypes-A/UlyeNRdHCWI/AAAAAAAAGI8/dyIq0J9a1sU/s640/DSC_0056.jpg" title="shiitake, mushroom logs, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our heavy rains led to an amazing season for mushrooms. The shiitake logs are producing like mad. We ate delicious risotto ai funghi a few nights ago, and I'm frantically searching my cookbooks for more recipes that can include shiitakes. The mushroom logs are truly one of my greatest garden success stories. Growing mushrooms is so easy that I'm not sure why more people don't do it. Shiitakes and fraise des bois--I'm equally enamored. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow, I must finished planting the potager and work on the large kitchen garden. What are you planting in your fall garden? What's your favorite fall flower or vegetable?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy October Bloom Day to you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-86323034714137852052013-10-02T15:02:00.002-04:002013-10-03T22:19:43.720-04:00Social Studies and Seed Saving.<br />
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<img alt="Three Sisters Garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yD5RiCSDwCM/Ukw71zNh3vI/AAAAAAAAGGM/ZanVWLe5lLk/s640/DSC_0208.JPG" title="Three Sisters Garden, seeds, corn, squash, beans" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a gardener, I sometimes wonder why. Why am I so driven to tackle weeds, battle squash bugs, and fight the forest in its effort to reclaim our asparagus bed? As a mom, there are days when I wonder why I dragged the kids out to the garden, invading my garden zen with their complaints and fussing as they weed the strawberry bed. What's the point? We have an absolutely fabulous Farmers' Market nearby if I'm so determined to feed the family vegetables. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, once in awhile, it all makes sense.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In South Carolina, third grade students study our state's history. Incorporated into social studies lessons is a student project about Native Americans of the Carolinas. Kids can choose to create a model of a tribe's home, draw a poster, or write an essay. (Truthfully, the term "student" should probably be substituted with "parent." Many overzealous parents build architecturally correct renderings of Cherokee, Catawba, or Yamasee homes. In fact, one student in Mikey's class grumbled that his mom only let him make the campfire for his model. Seriously.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfully, Mikey chose the essay. Sure, building the model seems like fun, but since he recently broke his arm on the soccer field, a one-handed model-making fest did not appeal to either of us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, he researched and wrote the rough draft of his essay. Then, I made him go back and write more. Let's just say, it was pretty obvious that he rushed his research and writing to play Minecraft.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much grumbling ensued.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To top it off, I sat with him while he typed it one-handed. I know, I know...I'm such a mean mom. The reality is that even without a broken arm, he still would type with one hand. He's in third grade, after all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As he finished the paragraph about the vegetables planted by the Cherokee--including squash, beans, and corn--I reminded him about our garden. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our "Three Sisters" garden, based on the companion planting techniques of Native Americans.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OAmEB0MxZXY/Ukw7wGSjwpI/AAAAAAAAGF8/penVuNF0HEg/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Three Sisters Garden, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="486" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OAmEB0MxZXY/Ukw7wGSjwpI/AAAAAAAAGF8/penVuNF0HEg/s640/DSC_0009.JPG" title="Three Sisters Garden, Native American garden, corn, squash, beans" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suddenly, something clicks--there's history right in his backyard! He helped shuck corn from the "Three Sisters" garden. We're still eating beans from the garden, much to his dismay. (I think everyone is a little tired of beans. We've harvested a lot of beans.) Sadly, our squash succumbed to the overly wet summer, but we talked about how and why the plants work together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luckily, as a garden blogger, I had a photo of the "Three Sisters" garden. He took the photo to share with his class to show the Native American's farming techniques.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As he finished writing about the discovery of gold on the Cherokee's land and their subsequent death march to Oklahoma, I realized something else.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We planted several heirloom varieties of beans in the garden, including 'Cherokee Trail of Tears,' a bean reportedly carried by the Cherokee on the march, which survived and passed to following generations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mikey realized that not only did he help grow an historical garden, he ate beans rich in history. (He may not have liked it--but he did.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Watching how history came alive for Mikey through our garden, I decided to share Native American history with his friends, too. I sent in 20 envelopes with 'Cherokee Trail of Tears' beans and 'Cherokee Purple' tomato seeds.</span> <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WvaJGFbhrow/Ukw7wbPQduI/AAAAAAAAGGA/wh-66NhqFJo/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Native American seeds, http://growingdays.blogspot.com" border="0" height="454" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WvaJGFbhrow/Ukw7wbPQduI/AAAAAAAAGGA/wh-66NhqFJo/s640/DSC_0006.JPG" title="Cherokee Trail of Tears beans, Cherokee Purple tomato seed" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully, history will come alive for other kids in the garden. You can grow a love of learning through a garden, don't you think?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you grow anything historical in your garden? Please share! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each month on the 4th, <a href="http://www.youcangrowthat.com/blogs/"><i>You Can Grow That!</i></a> features garden advice and tips for growing great gardens. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-71186750831791890742013-09-27T15:03:00.000-04:002013-09-27T21:04:55.936-04:00Meetings, Marketing, and Mosaiculture.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NzQxo3Xkh54/UkMnyQyoNhI/AAAAAAAAGDQ/hYGE59G5ldQ/s1600/DSC_0046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NzQxo3Xkh54/UkMnyQyoNhI/AAAAAAAAGDQ/hYGE59G5ldQ/s640/DSC_0046.jpg" title="bunny mosaiculture" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Garden blogging tends to be a solitary life. You start seeds, pull weeds, write about what's working and what's not. And, if you're like me, you fret, wondering if anyone reads what you're writing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Helloooo? Is anyone out there? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A comment left on a post incites a happy dance. So, armed with this positive reinforcement, you go back and do it again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But there are a few times each year when we garden bloggers abandon our gardens and lonely desks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year, more than 80 bloggers gathered for the <a href="http://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/">Garden Bloggers' Fling</a>--an annual garden tour extravaganza</span>. <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been remiss in writing about this garden love-fest, last held in San Francisco, simply because it's taken me three months to sort and edit the 2,000 photos I took over the course of three days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes. The Fling is that good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week, however, I spent two days at the <a href="http://garden-bloggers-conference.com/">Garden Bloggers' Conference</a> in Atlanta, hosted by <a href="http://digitalsherpa.com/">Digital Sherpa</a>. It was the antithesis of the Fling but in a positive way. For two solid days, we lovers of the outdoors sat sequestered in a windowless conference room, learning. Social media, SEO, technology, photography...plus, a healthy dose of star power inspiration from garden bloggers who've made it big.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was exactly what this non-techie girl needed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only did my brain nearly explode from so much information, my social network expanded. I adored meeting and chatting with garden bloggers whom I've followed online for years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, one of my most memorable moments involved one of my favorite garden writers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amystewart.com/">Amy Stewart</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Garden-writer guru, I've always adored Amy's books and her collaborative blog, <a href="http://gardenrant.com/">Garden Rant</a>. So, like a 12-year-old with a crush on One Direction, I approached Ms. Stewart after her presentation to gush over one of my favorite books she's written, <i>From the Ground Up: The Story of a First Garden</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I promptly spilled red wine all over my peach silk blouse and slunk away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OK, so maybe it was too much socializing for those of us who spend days alone and afternoons chauffeuring 8- and 12-year-olds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While the conference was fabulous (I now have so much work to do!), what would a garden conference be without a trip to a garden?</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rs9tgrcCNlk/UkMF93XYY1I/AAAAAAAAGA4/vQkPjF52zHg/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rs9tgrcCNlk/UkMF93XYY1I/AAAAAAAAGA4/vQkPjF52zHg/s640/DSC_0005.JPG" title="Atlanta Botanical Garden" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before driving home to resume mom-duty, I headed to the <a href="http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/">Atlanta Botanical Garden</a>. Of course, mom-guilt kicked in after being away from the family, but it was worth the two-hour delayed return to reality.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VRTZnlYbtaQ/UkMjvRztxcI/AAAAAAAAGCQ/45f-L6tzSWg/s1600/DSC_0028.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VRTZnlYbtaQ/UkMjvRztxcI/AAAAAAAAGCQ/45f-L6tzSWg/s640/DSC_0028.jpg" title="cobra mosaiculture" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You see, there was a special display I needed to visit.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqqQRhxzy3s/UkMGcMT1J7I/AAAAAAAAGBI/UK0Pm3rpIbM/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" height="438" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqqQRhxzy3s/UkMGcMT1J7I/AAAAAAAAGBI/UK0Pm3rpIbM/s640/DSC_0007.JPG" title="Butterfly mosaiculture" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger than Life</b> lived up to its name. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A creative partnership between the Atlanta Botanical Garden and <a href="http://www.mosaiculturesinternationales.ca/en/">International Mosaiculture of Montreal</a>, the living sculptures inspired awe, both in the enormity of the endeavor and the detailed care for each complex form. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mqJ4Q4rZb78/UkMIaXir3YI/AAAAAAAAGBk/kB_8KE0Ag-0/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mqJ4Q4rZb78/UkMIaXir3YI/AAAAAAAAGBk/kB_8KE0Ag-0/s640/DSC_0013.JPG" title="Unicorn mosaiculture" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Incorporated throughout the garden, each sculpture showcases the art of "Mosaiculture"--a combination of art and gardening. First popular in 16th century Europe, where wealthy landowners commissioned three-dimensional "embroidery beds," mosaiculture became the term known in 19th century France for geometric, mosaic-like forms of planted sculptures.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qObt5P0vKnM/UkMI7SBIZcI/AAAAAAAAGB0/Z0meKYTrGAU/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qObt5P0vKnM/UkMI7SBIZcI/AAAAAAAAGB0/Z0meKYTrGAU/s640/DSC_0022.JPG" title="mosaiculture, succulents, embroidery bed" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PSzlj65IjZE/UkMI5s1jo9I/AAAAAAAAGBs/eK8cPnmJ-fQ/s1600/DSC_0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PSzlj65IjZE/UkMI5s1jo9I/AAAAAAAAGBs/eK8cPnmJ-fQ/s640/DSC_0025.jpg" title="cobra mosaiculture" width="454" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VDUpuePxMJs/UkMJrGuSkoI/AAAAAAAAGCA/8iDR6FVAfj8/s1600/DSC_0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VDUpuePxMJs/UkMJrGuSkoI/AAAAAAAAGCA/8iDR6FVAfj8/s640/DSC_0026.jpg" title="cobra mosaiculture" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">International Mosaiculture of Montreal, a nonprofit organization created in 1998, launched the first international mosaiculture competition in 2000 to showcase gardening and horticulture as representative of "new millennium values." Many of the garden bloggers who attended the <a href="http://www.gardenwriters.org/gwa.php?p=index.html">Garden Writers' Association's</a> conference this fall visited Montreal's mosaiculture exhibition. However, Atlanta's exhibition is the first time Imaginary Worlds is on display in the U.S.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VRTZnlYbtaQ/UkMjvRztxcI/AAAAAAAAGCQ/45f-L6tzSWg/s1600/DSC_0028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" height="454" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lMoPIePp4bE/UkMHuaHLTQI/AAAAAAAAGBc/tdZgK-a96-I/s640/DSC_0018.JPG" title="Ogre mosaiculture" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Personally, I think the Ogre would make an excellent statement in our front yard.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NDT7UXS8rMw/UkMo_csYUfI/AAAAAAAAGDg/cgc65NCO-1c/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NDT7UXS8rMw/UkMo_csYUfI/AAAAAAAAGDg/cgc65NCO-1c/s640/DSC_0048.JPG" title="bunny mosaiculture" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1BQM0V1z1vI/UkMnXRYllqI/AAAAAAAAGDI/fZ9GeOBsIZ4/s1600/DSC_0047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1BQM0V1z1vI/UkMnXRYllqI/AAAAAAAAGDI/fZ9GeOBsIZ4/s640/DSC_0047.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm rather enamored with these bunnies. I wonder if I can stretch my gardening expertise to make up for my lack of artistic ability and create these for our garden? A funny thing happened when <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pwcolorchoice">Proven Winners ColorChoice Flowering Shrubs</a> posted a photo of the mosaiculture bunnies on its Facebook page: they were inundated with queries from potential customers! I think, perhaps, they should add mosaiculture bunnies to their product line. (I know I would be first in line to purchase.)</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hIX3PfqE-e8/UkWgAtNkg4I/AAAAAAAAGFs/Wl_J06pDbak/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hIX3PfqE-e8/UkWgAtNkg4I/AAAAAAAAGFs/Wl_J06pDbak/s640/DSC_0009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hcRzzcQ9sl8/UkMkWhI7HmI/AAAAAAAAGCg/5rzh32kkddQ/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hcRzzcQ9sl8/UkMkWhI7HmI/AAAAAAAAGCg/5rzh32kkddQ/s640/DSC_0031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Part of the fun involved discovering the mosaiculture sculptures throughout the gardens. Yes, you
could cheat and look at the map, but it was more interesting to wander the
paths, admiring anemones and art...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDSaCiJHxuc/UkMmkB_ZKsI/AAAAAAAAGDA/mvN-AdIwGAI/s1600/DSC_0042.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDSaCiJHxuc/UkMmkB_ZKsI/AAAAAAAAGDA/mvN-AdIwGAI/s640/DSC_0042.jpg" title="fish mosaiculture" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...then--BOOM! A bigger-than-life, rotating, dancing fish sculpture greets you.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uqdjIJvqXrw/UkMoSC_zsZI/AAAAAAAAGDY/gZ4_A8jVYyU/s1600/DSC_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uqdjIJvqXrw/UkMoSC_zsZI/AAAAAAAAGDY/gZ4_A8jVYyU/s640/DSC_0054.jpg" title="tea plant, Camellia sinensis" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or, perhaps you're admiring camellia sinensis, reading a sign about its usefulness in making tea...</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RPRybQwwRow/UkMrrUZtZ1I/AAAAAAAAGEY/yEU4vIihuns/s1600/DSC_0063.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RPRybQwwRow/UkMrrUZtZ1I/AAAAAAAAGEY/yEU4vIihuns/s640/DSC_0063.jpg" title="strawberry mosaiculture" width="466" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...and when you look up, you find a giant strawberry hovering over you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In fact, while I was delighted with the mosaiculture, I also found myself impressed with the breadth and diversity of the edible garden. Most botanical gardens tuck a few tired tomatoes and perhaps some peppers into a tiny plot, just to join the edible trend. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZPGasRuSHo/UkMpkWeYe8I/AAAAAAAAGDo/v5YbYvW-1Io/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Gardens" border="0" height="478" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZPGasRuSHo/UkMpkWeYe8I/AAAAAAAAGDo/v5YbYvW-1Io/s640/DSC_0056.JPG" title="edible garden, vegetables, espalier" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-evc-lGsCISE/UkMqdPP-ReI/AAAAAAAAGD8/XjZsIdlIqWs/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-evc-lGsCISE/UkMqdPP-ReI/AAAAAAAAGD8/XjZsIdlIqWs/s640/DSC_0059.JPG" title="espalier fruit trees" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1C_cmaPtQA/UkMq36YN71I/AAAAAAAAGEE/3aXniwKners/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1C_cmaPtQA/UkMq36YN71I/AAAAAAAAGEE/3aXniwKners/s640/DSC_0060.JPG" title="watermelon, edible garden" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DV2eVQTFn8o/UkMt93FafYI/AAAAAAAAGFA/GWtKM-RpRDE/s1600/DSC_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DV2eVQTFn8o/UkMt93FafYI/AAAAAAAAGFA/GWtKM-RpRDE/s640/DSC_0069.JPG" title="Living herb wall" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(I will plant a living herb wall some day. I will.)</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbT7P_hTtBY/UkMsuUbtpCI/AAAAAAAAGEs/qlCiCngAehs/s1600/DSC_0070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbT7P_hTtBY/UkMsuUbtpCI/AAAAAAAAGEs/qlCiCngAehs/s640/DSC_0070.jpg" title="Rosa Bianca eggplant" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zuugt69HRCM/UkMqWiDc-dI/AAAAAAAAGD0/lTzn2Oa7ojc/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" height="458" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zuugt69HRCM/UkMqWiDc-dI/AAAAAAAAGD0/lTzn2Oa7ojc/s640/DSC_0061.JPG" title="community garden" width="640" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a6lSIDBeW34/UkMtx83sliI/AAAAAAAAGE4/_NI5cCEp2G8/s1600/DSC_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Atlanta Botanical Garden appears to take edible gardening seriously. Bravo!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After wandering the woodland paths, I finally reached my goal: the Cascades Garden... </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-izv9wBICKk0/UkMu4aFyR1I/AAAAAAAAGFM/XNlzTAMw8Ds/s1600/DSC_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-izv9wBICKk0/UkMu4aFyR1I/AAAAAAAAGFM/XNlzTAMw8Ds/s640/DSC_0144.JPG" title="Earth Goddess Mosaiculture" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...and the Earth Goddess. Isn't she fabulous?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I headed home, filled with gardening inspiration.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, to put all of that knowledge and inspiration to use...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Friday!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HGqFSk7vjsc/UkMvQ9sxSvI/AAAAAAAAGFU/WVlY17QKLE4/s1600/DSC_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-7622049501165223522013-09-17T07:49:00.001-04:002013-09-17T07:49:28.929-04:0012 Truths about Backyard Chickens.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5cWHqL4G_6U/UidDIx44K9I/AAAAAAAAF0g/TK6KvrhsbRk/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5cWHqL4G_6U/UidDIx44K9I/AAAAAAAAF0g/TK6KvrhsbRk/s640/DSC_0009.JPG" width="304" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
<br />
<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They're sweet. They're fluffy. Their
little “peeps” will quickly steal your heart. Honestly, how can
you not become enamored with cutie-patootie little chicks, especially
when they will ultimately provide fresh eggs for frittatas?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NaMQv2-7KrM/UiJo4swRIoI/AAAAAAAAFyI/dMsk_MfUDH8/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NaMQv2-7KrM/UiJo4swRIoI/AAAAAAAAFyI/dMsk_MfUDH8/s640/DSC_0076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Two years ago, we took the leap and
joined the backyard chicken craze, which you can read about <a href="http://growingdays.blogspot.com/2011/04/meet-peeps.html">here.
</a></span></div>
<a href="http://growingdays.blogspot.com/2011/04/meet-peeps.html"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></a><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's been an—interesting—experience.
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aXtSPRW3_LQ/UiJorcjdU7I/AAAAAAAAFx4/GaPhHxOmBME/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aXtSPRW3_LQ/UiJorcjdU7I/AAAAAAAAFx4/GaPhHxOmBME/s640/DSC_0076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In May, we welcomed our latest chicks:
Tinkerbell (Buff Laced Polish), Sprite (White Crested Blue Polish), Willow Wisp (Blue Andalusian),
and Pixie (Silver Laced Polish).
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Everything went well with the newest
chicks. They grew, they thrived, the kids became smitten with their
newest pets. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S3fLWWDl4k8/UiJpuRWNN1I/AAAAAAAAFyY/-n4zCfC3Dck/s1600/DSC_0115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S3fLWWDl4k8/UiJpuRWNN1I/AAAAAAAAFyY/-n4zCfC3Dck/s640/DSC_0115.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pbLOuwz-syY/UiJqzzTdlDI/AAAAAAAAFy0/6sC2NhvzxrI/s1600/DSC_0124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pbLOuwz-syY/UiJqzzTdlDI/AAAAAAAAFy0/6sC2NhvzxrI/s640/DSC_0124.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VnYJ7mg4f6M/UiJsJQeY63I/AAAAAAAAFzU/F-72BF9PD-A/s1600/DSC_0140.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VnYJ7mg4f6M/UiJsJQeY63I/AAAAAAAAFzU/F-72BF9PD-A/s640/DSC_0140.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RyCedk1ed6s/UiJrRuKoJMI/AAAAAAAAFzE/YrxQ-ORxac0/s1600/DSC_0131.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RyCedk1ed6s/UiJrRuKoJMI/AAAAAAAAFzE/YrxQ-ORxac0/s640/DSC_0131.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OXs8yOSvckI/UiJkZDvkOpI/AAAAAAAAFwA/fFd8D7ecrqc/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OXs8yOSvckI/UiJkZDvkOpI/AAAAAAAAFwA/fFd8D7ecrqc/s640/DSC_0017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v43Ose8qr3o/UiJjWlqD1OI/AAAAAAAAFvk/cqZ4JaLdxm8/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v43Ose8qr3o/UiJjWlqD1OI/AAAAAAAAFvk/cqZ4JaLdxm8/s640/DSC_0001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Even integrating the new girls into the existing flock
went fairly smoothly.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OQaArH4Xdyw/UiJn3SB1KCI/AAAAAAAAFxs/LkJZ-IOGk2A/s1600/DSC_0071.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OQaArH4Xdyw/UiJn3SB1KCI/AAAAAAAAFxs/LkJZ-IOGk2A/s640/DSC_0071.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> And then, Pixie crowed.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xL0LKaJuNMs/UiJi9LGGLUI/AAAAAAAAFvc/ZMfJ2pRifQc/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xL0LKaJuNMs/UiJi9LGGLUI/AAAAAAAAFvc/ZMfJ2pRifQc/s640/DSC_0013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yes. Crowed.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Disaster.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When we began our chicken adventure, we
knew the odds. Although we ordered pullets—female chicks—the
hatcheries very carefully explain on their websites that sexing is not
an exact science. In fact, there's a 10% chance that your order will
contain a rooster.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">10%.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One in ten.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XhDDxnd-gGc/UiJlrIlIM1I/AAAAAAAAFwo/Cjb76ZzeDzg/s1600/DSC_0050.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="516" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XhDDxnd-gGc/UiJlrIlIM1I/AAAAAAAAFwo/Cjb76ZzeDzg/s640/DSC_0050.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Every year since our adventure began,
I've warned the kids that if one of the chicks falls into that 10%
error-margin, we cannot keep a rooster.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(For those of you just joining us: we
live in a subdivision. On less than an acre. With a Homeowners'
Association.)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wh78p1Y7wHw/UiJj-2dyuvI/AAAAAAAAFv4/j8Q71gTCMaU/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wh78p1Y7wHw/UiJj-2dyuvI/AAAAAAAAFv4/j8Q71gTCMaU/s640/DSC_0030.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Each year, we've held our breaths—and
we've been lucky.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Until now.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Third time's a charm” apparently
didn't apply to our third flock of chicks.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Truthfully, we knew before Pixie
announced it. While Polish possess an unmistakable “hairdo,”
Pixie's plumage appeared significantly different than his sisters'
feathers as he grew. Kristen suspected Pixie's “roo-ness” before
he ever uttered his practice crow.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VHanSjieSvo/UiJnZJ6IvzI/AAAAAAAAFxc/g2p8fp3pu_I/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VHanSjieSvo/UiJnZJ6IvzI/AAAAAAAAFxc/g2p8fp3pu_I/s640/DSC_0065.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I searched the Internet, images of
young Polish roosters appeared that looked just like Pixie. When I cautioned the
kids that Pixie would need to leave if and when he began to crow,
they began researching ideas about how we could keep him. Kristen, my
animal lover, even researched surgery for roosters to remove their
crow. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My sweet, animal crazy girl lost all
reason.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She also plotted to paint his nails
pink, put a bow in his feathers, keep him inside the coop so the
neighbors wouldn't hear his crow, and basically LIE to anyone who
asked if we owned a rooster.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I must admit, I actually thought of a
few of those ideas, too.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But we parents must set aside our own emotions and help our kids make good decisions. We weren't going to
subject Pixie to potentially fatal surgery, embarrassing hair-bows,
or pink nail polish.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And we certainly weren't going to lie.
(Tempting...but no.)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Instead, I reminded the kids that if we
were inconsiderate neighbors, the entire flock could be at risk. Who
knew what could happen if a neighbor complained? Instead of finding a
new home for Pixie, we could potentially lose all of the girls.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The kids cried harder. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6NCoweYkRro/UiJsZcH1PbI/AAAAAAAAFzc/HdPGIieFtgI/s1600/DSC_0146.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6NCoweYkRro/UiJsZcH1PbI/AAAAAAAAFzc/HdPGIieFtgI/s640/DSC_0146.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was a fine parenting moment.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, when I heard Pixie's first crowing
attempt, my chest tightened. The second attempt was also rather
pitiful—but unmistakable.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SDelt5w8ufo/UiJkxx-jewI/AAAAAAAAFwI/Ox5AjrwU3DY/s1600/DSC_0036.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SDelt5w8ufo/UiJkxx-jewI/AAAAAAAAFwI/Ox5AjrwU3DY/s640/DSC_0036.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The third time sounded almost like a
real rooster.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was time to make a plan.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Truthfully, it was past time to make a
plan. The plan for Pixie's theoretical home should have been in place
BEFORE we added chicks to our home. After all, we're not the only
people who try to re-home a rooster. I remember reading Theresa's account of re-homing her rooster on her blog, <a href="http://livinghomegrown.com/2013/01/day-21-what-to-do-when-your-backyard-hen-is-a-he.html">Living Homegrown</a>. I even sent her a sympathetic message, praying that we'd never be in the same boat. Silly me.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the excitement and emotion of
selecting chicks, most of us never really properly plan. Although
Kristen read more than a dozen books about chickens, we attended a
seminar about raising chickens, and I spoke with several farmer
friends, we learned some things the hard way.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hope you can benefit from our experiences.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5QqHumqf_uc/UiJm5tXDZFI/AAAAAAAAFxU/EXGRKkWg1tM/s1600/DSC_0058.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5QqHumqf_uc/UiJm5tXDZFI/AAAAAAAAFxU/EXGRKkWg1tM/s640/DSC_0058.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>12 Truths about Backyard Chickens</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>1. Tiny
Chicks = Big Chickens.</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9JvHPdqzXjo/UiJpcbsu1QI/AAAAAAAAFyQ/K9KLwJUJY6c/s1600/DSC_0109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9JvHPdqzXjo/UiJpcbsu1QI/AAAAAAAAFyQ/K9KLwJUJY6c/s640/DSC_0109.jpg" width="472" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Those cute little fluff balls at the
feed and seed store will grow into large eating and pooping machines.
Do you have the time and space to provide a good home for them? A
Rubbermaid container in your house might hold chicks for awhile, but
then what? Did you check with your Homeowners' Association, city, or
neighbors to make certain chickens are allowed? Check your local
ordinances before those cute fluff balls follow you home.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>2. Cute Coops vs. Safe Chickens</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The adorable coops you've pinned on
Pinterest or that you plan to order online may be darling, but will they keep out
predators? Our first precious little coop that I bought
online was guaranteed “raccoon-proof.” And yet, a raccoon opened
two sliding latches and killed Saltine. It was horrible. Granted, our
chickens are pets, so we all took it very hard. Our new Chicken
Fortress is like Fort Knox for chickens.
Peter constructed it from scratch, and the door handle/lock requires
two hands to open it by turning the latch down. We've yet to cute-ify
it—it's not Pinterest worthy. Yet. But our girls are safe, and
that's what matters.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>3. Free-Range Fun. For Dogs. And
Hawks.</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Free-range is fine and dandy, and the
neighborhood dogs will thank you for their mid-afternoon snack.
Supervised free-ranging is a better idea. We let the girls free-range
while we're working in the garden or swimming in the pool so that we
can keep them safe. Speaking of gardens...</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>4. Gardening with Chickens = Hungry
You.</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chickens <u>will</u> eat your garden.
It's an urban legend that chickens and lettuce will coexist. I assure
you, the minute we let the girls out into the forest to free-range,
they head straight for the kitchen garden, while I fuss and yell and
tell them to stop eating the chard. They don't listen to me. However,
they do eat the bugs in your garden. They're also great mulch movers.
If you let them play in your garden, I can assure you that they will
do a fine job of removing all of the mulch surrounding your plants. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>5. Chickens Are Not Penguins.</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CLs-pV12Yfs/UiJm310pzwI/AAAAAAAAFxE/NogZXZXurfE/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CLs-pV12Yfs/UiJm310pzwI/AAAAAAAAFxE/NogZXZXurfE/s640/DSC_0056.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chickens fly. Yes, I know you think
they don't—but they do. Not all breeds are flighty. Silkies tend to
be land lovers. But boy—do your research. Just ask our neighbors,
who knocked on the door one Saturday morning to inform us that our
two Golden Campines, Sugar and Spice, had joined their yard sale.
Mortifying. By the way, clipping a wing does not necessarily cure
flighty birds. We clipped one wing on each of our Campines, as
recommended, but they quickly regained their balance and continued
cruising the air. If you don't have an enclosed run, research the
flightiness of the breeds you want to raise before your pick up your
chicks. And install bird netting to keep them contained.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>6. Picky Chickies.</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some breeds like warm climates, some
prefer cool. Research, research, research, and then select which
breeds are appropriate for your climate. Regardless, always watch the
temperature to keep your flock healthy. Provide good shelter and
insulation in the winter, and keep the girls cool in the summer.
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>7. Mission: Impossible.</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Covert chickening keeping is
impossible. If your HOA doesn't allow backyard chickens, please don't
assume that you can sneakily raise them. Have you ever heard the
proud announcement a chicken makes when she lays an egg? It's loud.
While it's not as annoying as our neighbor's hound dog that brays for
hours, it's an unmistakable sound. Plus, sometimes they like to
cheer each other on as the egg laying progresses. Trust me. I've done
the walk of shame to the school bus stop on many occasions, pretending that
I don't hear our girls' raucous party. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UhuX5yjypuM/UiJlQi8TNpI/AAAAAAAAFwQ/kTEK5ALIhxg/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UhuX5yjypuM/UiJlQi8TNpI/AAAAAAAAFwQ/kTEK5ALIhxg/s640/DSC_0037.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Oh. Ditto for covert roosters. Just
don't try it. You'll get an ulcer.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>8. Don't Quit Your Day Job. </b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You will not get rich selling eggs. And
if you think that raising chickens will be an excellent lesson in
entrepreneurship for your pre-teen daughter, just realize that she
will never, ever approach anyone to ask if they'd like to buy eggs
because she is too shy. (Just my experience.) Friends will offer to
buy eggs, but usually you'll give them away to neighbors to keep the
peace when chickens show up at their yard sales. There IS a good
market for free-range, organic eggs, but will your 6 backyard hens
provide enough eggs for you to sell at the Farmers' Market? No, they
won't.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K-zuujs5i34/UjfOiOPqA6I/AAAAAAAAF7A/hrQ42nqHmSY/s1600/DSC_0215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="504" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K-zuujs5i34/UjfOiOPqA6I/AAAAAAAAF7A/hrQ42nqHmSY/s640/DSC_0215.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You will, however, enjoy delicious eggs
with deep, orange-yellow yolks. Now, that's rich.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Also, you will most likely buy eggs in
the winter. Or when your girls molt. Or when they get stressed. As
daylight shortens, hens' egg laying slows—and even stops. Yes, you
can provide supplemental light to make them continue laying, or you
can let their bodies takes a much needed rest, as nature intended.
Studies have shown that the supplemental light can decrease the
number of years a hen lays.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>9</b><b>. How Organic Are Your Eggs?</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We all want organic eggs, but organic
chicken feed is tricky to find, plus it's pricey. Our local feed and
seed doesn't carry organic feed, and I haven't found it anywhere in
our area. A permaculture group I belong to is working to find a
supplier, but until then, our girls get Layena, plus organic fruit,
veggies, and free-range goodies. I'll always prefer our eggs over organic store-bought eggs any day, because I know we have happy, healthy hens.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>10. There are no chicken-friendly
hotels. (If you find one, please let me know.)</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Leaving for a quick weekend get-away
just got a little trickier. While it's pretty easy to ask a friend or
pet sitting service to check in on your pooches, not many people are
as enamored with chicken-sitting. Really, it's not difficult, it's
just...different. If you find a friend who will watch your chickens, you've found a true friend. Make sure to bring your friend a present from
your trip—and, of course, reward your chicken-sitter with some eggs.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>11. Chicken Retirement.</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chickens typically lay well for about
3-5 years. Then what? What's your exit strategy? They can live another 5, 10, even 15 years. It's important to
have a plan. Our girls will have their home here always, and when
they stop laying—they'll live out their old age being our pampered
pets, just as they are now. But what will you do? Will your chickens
be pets, or will they become dinner? It's not easy to find homes for your non-laying chickens. There's no such
thing as a chicken retirement home, so make certain you have an exit
strategy.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>12. Cock-a-doodle-do Party Crashers.</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ewvEnUdnuEU/UiJtW7JucjI/AAAAAAAAFz4/zt5h9Ho8OEY/s1600/DSC_0352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ewvEnUdnuEU/UiJtW7JucjI/AAAAAAAAFz4/zt5h9Ho8OEY/s640/DSC_0352.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Roosters happen. What will you do? We
were VERY lucky. A woman that works for Peter raises chickens on her land in the country, and
she's just as crazy about them as Kristen. After checking into
several issues (are there other roosters that might attack Pixie?
Will he be inside at night? How safe is the coop?), we all agreed
that Sandy's farm would be the perfect place for Pixie. Plus, lucky
Pixie—he has 50 ladies to woo! Off he went to live with Sandy. The
kids were thrilled, knowing that they could visit Pixie and get
updates on him. I'm thrilled, because I can finally go outside again,
without fear of being accosted by our neighbors. Peter is thrilled,
because I've stopped stressing and obsessing about what we should do
with a rooster. And apparently, Pixie is thrilled, because he's enamored with a black bantam lady-friend. Go, Pixie!</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But we were lucky. Do you know a
farmer? Have you asked that friend with land if he would be willing
to take in a rooster, should you fall into the 10%? I can assure you,
there aren't many people willing to take in a rooster. Kristen's horseback riding trainer laughed at me when I asked, then realized I was serious.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She suddenly found a stall to muck out.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So please, for your sanity, for your kids' emotional well-being, for the health and safety of your new fluffy babies--make a plan.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z7u9I-r38n8/UjfSq_ye_WI/AAAAAAAAF7M/4dZID2TfX8E/s1600/DSC_0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z7u9I-r38n8/UjfSq_ye_WI/AAAAAAAAF7M/4dZID2TfX8E/s640/DSC_0076.jpg" width="426" /><b></b></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></b><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">13. OK, It's a Baker's Dozen of Truths.</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Even with the raccoons, the roosters, and the escape artists, chickens ARE fabulous. Our kids learn the responsibility of caring for their pets, rarely griping when they tend chickens before breakfast. With backyard chickens, you can cancel your cable, because there's nothing as entertaining on TV. We spend a lot of time amusing ourselves, laughing at our silly girls.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We love our chickens, and we thought we
were well prepared. But raising chickens is a constant learning
process. The chicken blogs, Facebook pages, and magazines sometimes
sugar-coat the reality of chicken-owning. Cute coops, fluffy chicks,
funny pictures, they're all lovely. And it IS fun.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Honestly.
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But like with any living animal, you
need to be prepared. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AsriqshSe_M/UiJjjEetZtI/AAAAAAAAFvs/Hxi-5rCBEZY/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AsriqshSe_M/UiJjjEetZtI/AAAAAAAAFvs/Hxi-5rCBEZY/s640/DSC_0011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You might just find yourself in the
10%.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Good luck! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Julie
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-81584780732118630362013-09-15T23:50:00.002-04:002013-09-15T23:50:58.714-04:00Fall's Fading Blooms--September Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ah, September. This morning truly felt like fall--slightly chilly, a bit overcast, less humidity. Perhaps the fact that I walked into at least half-a-dozen spider webs cemented that fall-feeling. As soon as the temperatures cool and the days begin to shorten, the spiders throw a convention at our house, inviting friends to spin their webs conveniently along the path I take to the big kitchen garden. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever picked a spider web from your eye lashes? No? Well, let me assure you--it's an experience you'll never forget.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">{Shiver.}</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I might admit to a touch of arachnophobia, but don't tell anyone. I'll lose credibility as an organic gardener. In fact, this is the time of year that the neighbors think I'm looney. I'll walk through the gardens, waving a stick in front of my face, desperate to avoid repeating that web-in-the-eyelash experience.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know, poor spiders. They work so hard building their webs, and then a wimpy gardening girl goes and swishes a stick through their home.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week, though, I fought my fear and battled a writing spider to save two swallowtail butterflies. Normally, I really admire writing spiders--they're not only creepily gorgeous, but their webs are works of art. This one, though, ticked me off. It built its web in my lantana, where dozens of butterflies converge for high energy sips of nectar. As I walked to the bus stop to meet Mikey, I saw two swallowtail butterflies struggling in the web.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No! My poor butterflies!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking an envelope from the mailbox, I scooped one butterfly free from the web, while the ginormous spider hung but an inch from my hand, wrapping up the second butterfly. The first flew free, but try as I might--I couldn't rescue the second.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><img border="0" height="438" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PfEpGOP4Cyk/UjYNqU2_SQI/AAAAAAAAF4Q/F60gQTmnP0g/s640/DSC_0187.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And when I looked more closely, I found a butterfly graveyard in my lantana--dozens of butterfly wings lay on the lower leaves.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OK, it's nature, and I shouldn't intervene--but somehow, I just HAD to rescue the butterflies from that crafty spider. Finding so many butterfly victims made me sad.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But fall always tends to make me a tad melancholy. The faded blooms, the disappearance of summer produce, the kids back in school, and our hectic schedules...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fortunately, our fall seedlings bring a sense of excitement and rejuvenation, just as the rest of the garden looks so tired.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nchZo1Jrxn0/UjYRre1agjI/AAAAAAAAF5w/7lwiukaraBs/s1600/DSC_0207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nchZo1Jrxn0/UjYRre1agjI/AAAAAAAAF5w/7lwiukaraBs/s640/DSC_0207.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I walked through the garden today to play along with <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/search/label/garden%20bloggers%20bloom%20day">May Dreams Gardens'</a> Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, I felt a little more peaceful about the impending arrival of fall. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Cgxv4LEbIs/UjYQCjZeTSI/AAAAAAAAF5E/oc_FGbrCR9A/s1600/DSC_0205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Cgxv4LEbIs/UjYQCjZeTSI/AAAAAAAAF5E/oc_FGbrCR9A/s640/DSC_0205.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The snail flower vine, one of my favorite heirloom flowers, bloomed for the first time this season. I love this plant and its history.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yyykKoFSrXc/UjYKQ3k-vOI/AAAAAAAAF2o/FX1eaVG2SwU/s1600/DSC_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yyykKoFSrXc/UjYKQ3k-vOI/AAAAAAAAF2o/FX1eaVG2SwU/s640/DSC_0036.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fraise ds bois continues to charm with its tiny blooms, and thankfully we're still enjoying its incredibly sweet fruit.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_IwxkeLjiV8/UjYLJ7HTzlI/AAAAAAAAF3I/l5LBDoZowAw/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_IwxkeLjiV8/UjYLJ7HTzlI/AAAAAAAAF3I/l5LBDoZowAw/s640/DSC_0037.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The soft pinks of the aged oakleaf hydrangea blooms will soon be complimented with the stunning red foliage. How can you not love oakleaf hydrangeas? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_B3D5IHdoEg/UjYKguSoNgI/AAAAAAAAF2w/P7opx4ZbGYI/s1600/DSC_0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_B3D5IHdoEg/UjYKguSoNgI/AAAAAAAAF2w/P7opx4ZbGYI/s640/DSC_0038.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">caryopteris still draws bees like mad... </span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BDoIdQj-22k/UjYLAkFAMmI/AAAAAAAAF3A/ysTeUP9TTvA/s1600/DSC_0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BDoIdQj-22k/UjYLAkFAMmI/AAAAAAAAF3A/ysTeUP9TTvA/s640/DSC_0044.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...and the few late 'Provence' lavender blooms are like bee-candy.</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X4ph1sQKVDM/UjYK7lE2o3I/AAAAAAAAF24/mMMXD2iurrQ/s1600/DSC_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X4ph1sQKVDM/UjYK7lE2o3I/AAAAAAAAF24/mMMXD2iurrQ/s640/DSC_0053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xKE0FJ81qE0/UjYOEvsRstI/AAAAAAAAF4g/MbP2btpGe-g/s1600/DSC_0197.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xKE0FJ81qE0/UjYOEvsRstI/AAAAAAAAF4g/MbP2btpGe-g/s640/DSC_0197.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8iUwOkpPq3w/UjYOWpxPKDI/AAAAAAAAF44/zlkLXL8mSdM/s1600/DSC_0199.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8iUwOkpPq3w/UjYOWpxPKDI/AAAAAAAAF44/zlkLXL8mSdM/s640/DSC_0199.jpg" width="416" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The toad lilies brighten our shady back garden, although I think they'd appreciate a bit more light. They're stretching and searching for the sun, trying to find it around the neighboring plants.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pp3cAKizalQ/UjYLi-uI18I/AAAAAAAAF3Q/dCB28PCsm-8/s1600/DSC_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pp3cAKizalQ/UjYLi-uI18I/AAAAAAAAF3Q/dCB28PCsm-8/s640/DSC_0159.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The dwarf gardenias surprised me this year. After an amazing show in the spring, they decided to host a repeat performance in September. Our front entrance way smells delicious. </span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QRMI7V-Yih8/UjYLqrkMjxI/AAAAAAAAF3Y/VSFg3OD6-og/s1600/DSC_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="516" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QRMI7V-Yih8/UjYLqrkMjxI/AAAAAAAAF3Y/VSFg3OD6-og/s640/DSC_0167.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fortunately, many plants loved by pollinators continue to produce and bloom in our gardens. Perennial hibiscus...</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2t8bnXZ1wLk/UjYMOpym3II/AAAAAAAAF3o/7QhKcg2GWXk/s1600/DSC_0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="636" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2t8bnXZ1wLk/UjYMOpym3II/AAAAAAAAF3o/7QhKcg2GWXk/s640/DSC_0168.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">phlox...</span> <br />
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...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">buddelia...</span> <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qaxCwH1HXq8/UjYTTY1xhtI/AAAAAAAAF6g/-P8uChh5Ez8/s1600/DSC_0218.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="634" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qaxCwH1HXq8/UjYTTY1xhtI/AAAAAAAAF6g/-P8uChh5Ez8/s640/DSC_0218.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...and even the marigolds in the kitchen garden are working hard this month. I'm hoping this Gulf Fritillary butterfly finds one of the 18 passionflower vines I planted this summer. I'd love to play host to Gulf Fritillary larva.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although the nectar sources are still plentiful, I always supplement with feeders for the hummingbirds, especially as fall nears. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Really, is there anything more lovely than watching hummingbirds? With three feeders outside the office window in the front gardens, I admit that I'm easily distracted, watching their swooping and hovering.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A happy fall event--plant sales! Soon, it will be time for my favorite plant sale at <a href="http://hatchergarden.org/">Hatcher Gardens</a>. This sale, though, was too good to pass up: two tropical hibiscus for $5! Yes, it was at a big box store, but honestly--who cares? They're pretty, and they'll become organic, living in our gardens. (Of course, they'll spend the winter in the greenhouse.)</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll also move the hanging baskets of fuchsia into the greenhouse, once the temperatures threaten to drop. In our area, our first freeze is expected near the end of October.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've successfully overwintered the mandevilla for the past two years. But for now, it continues to bright the pool gardens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The viburnum, which bloomed extravagantly all spring, is at it again--huge, lovely, cheerful blooms began appearing last week, and the bushes are filled with buds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Pee Gee hydrangea continues to show off, but it's slowly quieting down as the weather cools.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As some of the blooms wind down, our shiitakes are just beginning to pop. The amazingly wet summer, such a rarity in South Carolina, bodes well for a great mushroom harvest. The first shiitake of the fall rests on our counter, awaiting a chef's inspiration.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The poor, neglected herb garden is a tangle of blooms and scent. Tomorrow, I must, must harvest herbs to dry for the winter. I've been remiss in tending these babies, but they seem to like the lack of attention. The mints, of course, don't need much help--except the wisdom to keep them contained in pots. I love mint blossoms--they're so cheerful.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While a few scraggly tomato vines and pepper plants remain in the big kitchen garden and potager, the edible beds need to be cleaned up and readied for the fall veggies. However, the beans continue to produce like mad, much to the agony of the kids. (We've eaten a lot of beans recently.) Scarlet runner beans' blooms provide a darling addition to the vertical garden...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...while the purple blossoms of Rattlesnake pole beans also provide a bit of beauty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I adore Asiatic dayflower, but I wish it would stay out of the kitchen garden beds. While I appreciate this adorable wildflower, it's quite invasive in our forest--and in our compost pile! Still, it IS awfully pretty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While there are still quite a few blooms in our gardens, the true stars of the September garden are the Japanese anemones. What began as five plants purchased three years ago became a forest of bright pink and yellow cheerfulness. It's constantly bobbing and swaying, filled with pollinators feasting gluttonously.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Japanese anemones are truly the best part of our fall garden.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's blooming in your garden? Will you plant a fall kitchen garden, or will you take a rest for the winter?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Bloom Day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-13782093721838584042013-09-09T13:38:00.002-04:002013-09-09T13:38:44.254-04:00Craving Summer and BBT Pie. (Bacon, Basil, and Tomato Pie, That Is.)<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">September is a bittersweet month. While we're thickly back into school and after-school activity mode, I'm still desperately clinging to summer. I'm not ready for rushed dinners and early bedtimes. I want to lounge with the kids, reading books and playing ping-pong, not cracking my taskmaster whip to memorize multiplication tables or--worse--to solve for <i>x</i>. I watch leaves fall and litter the pool, but my heart's not ready to surrender and cover it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I'm certainly not ready to give up tomatoes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sadly, though, the time is here. A few vines barely cling to life in the garden. Most of the tomato plants were pulled up long ago, victim to too much rain and too little sun. (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a very odd South Carolina summer.) </span>I spent a ridiculous amount of time pruning the few survivors, removing diseased leaves and knowing that I should just end their misery and allow them an honorable death for their service. (Can you tell I'm reading <i>Game of Thrones</i>?) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still, the few pitiful vines continue to produce a few pitiful tomatoes, and I'm taking full advantage of the fruit before it disappears completely. </span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hoping to embrace the last wisps of summer, I decided we needed a dinner that would makes us feel that we're still in the thick of summer, when produce is abundant and days are lazy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In South Carolina, the quintessential summer dinner is Tomato Pie. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe it's not only a South Carolina staple, but I'd never heard of tomato pie until we crossed the Mason-Dixon line. I know it never graced our dinner table in Munster, Indiana. (I wouldn't have eaten it, anyway. My family will attest that I was the world's pickiest eater.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the years, my friends Dana and <a href="http://thequeenofseaford.blogspot.com/">Janet</a> shared their recipes for tomato pie with me. Let me assure you, when you mention on Facebook that you're about to make a tomato pie, your friends will begin salivating, asking when they should arrive for dinner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know. I've been on the other side. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Admittedly, I'm not a brave cook. I'm typically a recipe follower, too fearful to deviate from perfectly proportioned ingredients. But somehow, I became a chef renegade when I pulled out my friends' tomato pie recipes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I added. I deleted. I substituted. I feared disaster.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But you know what?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was yummy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before we get to the recipe, I feel you're owed full disclosure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used a pre-made pie crust. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know, I know...I've lost all credibility with you now. And I know my friend Janet will tell me that I shouldn't be intimidated by pie crusts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it was a school night, and suddenly it was 6 p.m. and I hadn't even thought about starting dinner. So, rather than forgo that lovely taste of summer, I punted and used pre-made.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm sorry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Janet uses <a href="http://thequeenofseaford.blogspot.com/2011/08/tomato-pie-another-food-setting-post.html">this recipe</a> for her pie crust. I'm going to use it when I make an apple pie this afternoon. Really. I am.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Regardless of whether you use a homemade or a pre-packaged pie crust, I urge you to snatch up the last summer tomatoes from your garden or the farmers' market and make this tomato pie tonight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It will make you happy. I promise.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BBT Pie (Bacon, Basil, Tomato Pie)</span></b><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></u><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 large tomatoes, or 8 medium, cut into 1/4-inch slices. (I used a variety of organic heirloom tomatoes to make the flavor more complex.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces, cooked</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 shallots, diced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup mayonnaise</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp. salt, plus extra for tomato prep</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tbsp. fresh chives, chopped finely</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tbsp. fresh basil, chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus a bit extra to sprinkle on top</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Directions:</span></u><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place pie crust in ungreased 9-inch pie pan, fold edges under, and pinch or crimp crust with fingers or fork. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Bake crust for 10 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from oven.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. While oven preheats and as crust pre-bakes, slice tomatoes and place on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt to draw water out of fruit, and let tomatoes rest approximately 20 minutes. (If you skip this step, your tomato pie can be quite soupy.) Pat dry.</span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. In a large skillet, brown bacon until crispy. Remove bacon from pan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Add shallots to bacon grease in pan and cook until slightly brown, approximately 3-4 minutes. Remove shallots and drain grease. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6</span>.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan on bottom of pie crust.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoF9xETiU7Q/Uinv4FykAiI/AAAAAAAAF1Q/qlRQW1BKfDo/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="504" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoF9xETiU7Q/Uinv4FykAiI/AAAAAAAAF1Q/qlRQW1BKfDo/s640/DSC_0024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Layer tomatoes on top of Parmesan until crust is filled to approximately 1/4-inch of top of pan.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9WMc18ZZ9oY/UinwQ6V_ffI/AAAAAAAAF1Y/aBtFG-bFCes/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9WMc18ZZ9oY/UinwQ6V_ffI/AAAAAAAAF1Y/aBtFG-bFCes/s640/DSC_0025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zCKo1R1mze0/UinwyruSImI/AAAAAAAAF1g/zF0HJX4Y9qw/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zCKo1R1mze0/UinwyruSImI/AAAAAAAAF1g/zF0HJX4Y9qw/s640/DSC_0026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. Stir together mayonnaise, bacon, basil, shallots, chives, and remaining Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese until well-blended.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v9jYdjfVkcY/UinwzJbEyFI/AAAAAAAAF1k/uNp34M7FtG8/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v9jYdjfVkcY/UinwzJbEyFI/AAAAAAAAF1k/uNp34M7FtG8/s640/DSC_0029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. Spread mixture evenly over the top of the tomatoes. Grate a bit of Parmesan and sprinkle on top.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XPdawQ2WuA/Uinw0cwPlqI/AAAAAAAAF1w/uOnxvHgXZJo/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="562" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XPdawQ2WuA/Uinw0cwPlqI/AAAAAAAAF1w/uOnxvHgXZJo/s640/DSC_0030.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. Bake in 350-degree oven for 40-45 minutes, removing when cheese begins to brown.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8EH661fmVLg/UinxCq0FtjI/AAAAAAAAF14/a-e2j4BHydc/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="568" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8EH661fmVLg/UinxCq0FtjI/AAAAAAAAF14/a-e2j4BHydc/s640/DSC_0032.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11. Cool and serve with a frosty glass of Pinot Grigio.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, you can make the tomato pie without bacon, but honestly, once you taste it, you'll understand why the bacon belongs nestled next to the tomatoes. It's salty and savory and defines the flavor of summer. Take a bite, chase it with the chilly wine...divine.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So quick--grab those last tomatoes. I promise this tomato pie will make you feel like it's hammock and beach season--at least mentally.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is the summer food that you miss most in the winter? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-67069920920110192632013-08-30T11:23:00.002-04:002013-08-30T11:23:43.089-04:00Prepping and Planting the Fall Garden.
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A few days ago, some of my friends and
I were chatting about gardens. (Shocking, I know.) Specifically, I
mentioned that I need to clean up the summer garden and prepare it
for fall crops.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OBuKBUZzqkM/Uh99twMtwII/AAAAAAAAFuY/KAUIZb_j0d0/s1600/DSC_0089.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OBuKBUZzqkM/Uh99twMtwII/AAAAAAAAFuY/KAUIZb_j0d0/s640/DSC_0089.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's a painful process for me.
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</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hate tearing out any plant that's
still producing, even if emotionally I'm so, so ready to get rid of
the uglies and plant perky, happy seedlings. As vile as the vines
look, I'm not ready to give up fresh tomatoes. I've pulled a lot of
vines, but there are still a few that I'm pampering, hoping to enjoy
bruschetta through the fall.
</span></div>
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</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tG23nY-bCNU/UiCw-GQDchI/AAAAAAAAFvM/In0jRlJk6tM/s1600/DSC_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tG23nY-bCNU/UiCw-GQDchI/AAAAAAAAFvM/In0jRlJk6tM/s640/DSC_0080.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, instead of ripping out all of the
summer plants in August, I prepare for the fall garden by starting
seedlings in the greenhouse. Yes, it's probably less time consuming
to direct sow lettuce, but by planting seeds in biodegradable pots,
I'm extending the summer garden as long as possible while getting a
head start on growing produce.
</span></div>
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</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you're starting seedlings for your
garden, you might want to refer to <a href="http://growingdays.blogspot.com/2012/08/school-days-cool-daysits-time-for-fall.html">this chart</a> that I put together
last fall. It's my cheat sheet that shows when you should plant seeds
for your fall garden, depending on your first expected frost date
(which you can find <a href="http://davesgarden.com/guides/freeze-frost-dates/">here</a>.) It also gives you hints about depth for
planting, how long until germination, and when you can expect to
harvest your crops. Some seeds, like radishes and carrots, really do
need to be direct sowed, though. Still, that's OK—radishes grow
quickly and are typically ready to harvest in 28 days. Carrots can
remain in the garden throughout most of the winter (mulched with straw in cold climates), harvesting as you need them. In
fact, the cooler soil can make the carrots taste sweeter.</span></div>
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</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Before any plants enter the fall
garden, all of the summer debris needs to be cleared—particularly
any diseased plant material. A fresh layer of compost will be added
to the beds and mixed in well, and I'll do a soil test to check pH
and determine any nutrients that are missing for the fall crops.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F1YVC5b30Ic/Uh9-v_f74vI/AAAAAAAAFu0/poHtxUKhRx8/s1600/DSC_0074.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F1YVC5b30Ic/Uh9-v_f74vI/AAAAAAAAFu0/poHtxUKhRx8/s640/DSC_0074.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But the best part of planning the fall
garden? Why, selecting what you're going to grow, of course! My
friends asked what I planned to grow this fall, but at the time I
hadn't selected the varieties. Now, though, the seeds have arrived
and are anxiously awaiting their new home! Everything I've ordered is
heirloom and organic, and some of the varieties are just ridiculously
beautiful. Here's what's going in the fall garden:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wQ3QqGFexTg/Uh98hnU-4xI/AAAAAAAAFt8/DMaOtCijxKI/s1600/DSC_0072.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wQ3QqGFexTg/Uh98hnU-4xI/AAAAAAAAFt8/DMaOtCijxKI/s640/DSC_0072.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Heirloom lettuce</b></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Forellenschluss (My favorite—I love
its beautiful speckling, plus it's crispy and delicious.)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Grandpa Admire's (Another favorite
that's on Slow Food USA's Ark of Taste.)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Merveille des Quatre Saisons (I just
love saying the name in my high school French accent.)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Big Boston</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Flame</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">May Queen</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Petite Rouge</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Red Romaine</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rouge d'Hiver</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rubin</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chadwick's Rodan</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Bctspr3XDE/Uh98hX8sPdI/AAAAAAAAFt4/CGyeyTSpflg/s1600/DSC_0071.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Bctspr3XDE/Uh98hX8sPdI/AAAAAAAAFt4/CGyeyTSpflg/s640/DSC_0071.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Spinach</b></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Merlo Nero</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bloomsdale Long Standing</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Red Malabar (which isn't spinach,
really...but it's a beautiful vining green with red stems, so I'm
excited to add it to the garden.)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qonN9YMakSg/Uh98D5HXiNI/AAAAAAAAFts/fGxek5R2cGw/s1600/DSC_0070.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qonN9YMakSg/Uh98D5HXiNI/AAAAAAAAFts/fGxek5R2cGw/s640/DSC_0070.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Chinese Greens</b></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ching Chang Bok Choy</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chinese Pak Choy</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ids-3iD3DyM/Uh987dUSh5I/AAAAAAAAFuI/mJhPQpTUsgk/s1600/DSC_0073.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ids-3iD3DyM/Uh987dUSh5I/AAAAAAAAFuI/mJhPQpTUsgk/s640/DSC_0073.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Broccoli</b></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Romanesco Italia
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Cauliflower</b></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Violetta Italia
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Snowball Self-Blanching
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Cabbage</b></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cour di Bue</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tete Noire</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--CK2MWjKKWk/Uh97C2wWjAI/AAAAAAAAFtE/YzCOM9vK5gI/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--CK2MWjKKWk/Uh97C2wWjAI/AAAAAAAAFtE/YzCOM9vK5gI/s640/DSC_0065.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Swiss Chard</b></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Five Color Silverbeet</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Kale</b></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lacinato</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Red Russian</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chinese White Flowered</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uuDjxpQFxw/Uh96xL9kdOI/AAAAAAAAFs8/ZNKGtnjt2X0/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uuDjxpQFxw/Uh96xL9kdOI/AAAAAAAAFs8/ZNKGtnjt2X0/s640/DSC_0060.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Peas</b></u><br />Blue Podded
Blauwschokkers</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Golden Sweet Snow</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sugar Ann Snap</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GADvHgcydAw/Uh97blGPlTI/AAAAAAAAFtM/CvAEDj_iT30/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GADvHgcydAw/Uh97blGPlTI/AAAAAAAAFtM/CvAEDj_iT30/s640/DSC_0064.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Radishes</b></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Early Scarlet Globe</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">French Breakfast</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Purple Plum</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pink Beauty</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jX7SLWL4Yes/Uh97kSO0QtI/AAAAAAAAFtU/SgMf0g6h_iA/s1600/DSC_0068.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jX7SLWL4Yes/Uh97kSO0QtI/AAAAAAAAFtU/SgMf0g6h_iA/s640/DSC_0068.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Beets</b></u> (I'm embarrassed to
say—I've never grown beets. Can't wait to try these!)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chioggia</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gourmet Blend</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Leeks</b></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bleu de Solaise</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Scotland</span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QmKQO2b-hRs/Uh97t-5hXpI/AAAAAAAAFtc/pLD9c2MZhMQ/s1600/DSC_0067.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QmKQO2b-hRs/Uh97t-5hXpI/AAAAAAAAFtc/pLD9c2MZhMQ/s640/DSC_0067.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Carrots</b></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Parisienne </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">St. Valery</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Amarillo</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cosmic Purple</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'll also grow some Brussels sprouts
for Peter, but I'll most likely buy transplants for those. For
whatever reason, I have a tough time getting them started from seed,
and I have a source locally where I can get organic Brussels sprouts
plants.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Oddly absent from our southern
garden—collards. I know, I know—how can I be a southern gardener
without collards? For whatever reason, we just don't eat collards.
Maybe it's my Yankee upbringing coming out. Can anyone give me a good
endorsement for collards and why I should try them?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I haven't ordered my garlic and
shallots yet—and I need to do that soon. Many varieties of garlic
sell out early, so that's definitely on my to-do list. Usually, I
dedicate one raised bed to garlic and plant about five varieties. We
use a lot of garlic!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Besides planting the beds in the large
kitchen garden, I'm starting seedlings for the potager, as well as
for some containers. I'm also planning to incorporate some fall
edibles into the front gardens. Personally, I've never liked
ornamental cabbages, but I find edible combinations, like kale and
violas, or the rainbow colors of Swiss chard alone, really beautiful.
We'll see how it turns out! I'll keep you posted.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kir-ose6aJA/Uh9-lHrnDMI/AAAAAAAAFuk/gZ2p1bDvFr4/s1600/DSC_0118.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kir-ose6aJA/Uh9-lHrnDMI/AAAAAAAAFuk/gZ2p1bDvFr4/s640/DSC_0118.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I also need to check my mini hoops from
last year to make certain the plastic isn't torn. In our zone 7b
garden, these little low tunnels (which cost a whopping $10 for
materials) provide enough protection from the cold to keep most of
our crops producing throughout the winter. I also cover the potager
with plastic when we have a freeze warning, but I already know I need
to replace that plastic cover. The fencing gouged big holes in the
plastic due to the weight of rain on the cover. (Note
to self: remove the plastic before a rain!)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pp1kDrSxlLc/UiCwR6s506I/AAAAAAAAFvE/gaca72WE5dQ/s1600/DSC_0104.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pp1kDrSxlLc/UiCwR6s506I/AAAAAAAAFvE/gaca72WE5dQ/s640/DSC_0104.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With a little preplanning and preparation, we'll be enjoying lovely harvests from the garden all winter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Have you planned your fall garden? What
are you most looking forward to growing in the cool weather?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hope you enjoy a wonderful holiday weekend!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Julie</span><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-11048678336883122642013-08-26T21:08:00.001-04:002013-08-26T21:08:39.180-04:00The Growing Days Nature Camp.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My friend sent me a Facebook message. She said she had the strangest dream.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qyyw3pc7QxM/UhvFdUx_aTI/AAAAAAAAFnw/6CE0QAVeSaA/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qyyw3pc7QxM/UhvFdUx_aTI/AAAAAAAAFnw/6CE0QAVeSaA/s640/DSC_0005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She dreamt that I opened a nature camp.</span> <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pOPPWKlDaro/UhvMAa_XWeI/AAAAAAAAFr8/KEfpR7D9P8M/s1600/IMG_0585.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pOPPWKlDaro/UhvMAa_XWeI/AAAAAAAAFr8/KEfpR7D9P8M/s640/IMG_0585.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honestly, I don't know why she would dream such a thing.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-behpX6xJdXE/UhvH0qPZ9ZI/AAAAAAAAFpE/ruJ-ytADpjg/s1600/IMG_0495.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-behpX6xJdXE/UhvH0qPZ9ZI/AAAAAAAAFpE/ruJ-ytADpjg/s640/IMG_0495.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0-3dJff7yTk/UhvGoS1zeLI/AAAAAAAAFoc/fRnN31ju_EE/s1600/IMG_0466.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0-3dJff7yTk/UhvGoS1zeLI/AAAAAAAAFoc/fRnN31ju_EE/s640/IMG_0466.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've enjoyed our normal, lazy summer.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--9D45wBrQAw/UhvE4jUgr1I/AAAAAAAAFnY/F336ACHqVl8/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--9D45wBrQAw/UhvE4jUgr1I/AAAAAAAAFnY/F336ACHqVl8/s640/DSC_0014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hDg3meNn67s/UhvFcj4ki5I/AAAAAAAAFno/TM-SbcmlCdQ/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hDg3meNn67s/UhvFcj4ki5I/AAAAAAAAFno/TM-SbcmlCdQ/s640/DSC_0030.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A little sailing, a little exploring...</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span> <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVcVBppoKCs/UhvFYa4HnUI/AAAAAAAAFng/JD6Z4dY5c8g/s1600/IMG_0455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVcVBppoKCs/UhvFYa4HnUI/AAAAAAAAFng/JD6Z4dY5c8g/s640/IMG_0455.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b2iVlsbPSSc/UhvGH2-JjSI/AAAAAAAAFoA/sT-XPOqJ7VA/s1600/IMG_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b2iVlsbPSSc/UhvGH2-JjSI/AAAAAAAAFoA/sT-XPOqJ7VA/s640/IMG_0458.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The kids made some new friends.</span> <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dzuvtDtz5U0/UhvGdqM_OTI/AAAAAAAAFoU/KcJrlETlTmk/s1600/IMG_0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dzuvtDtz5U0/UhvGdqM_OTI/AAAAAAAAFoU/KcJrlETlTmk/s640/IMG_0477.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q69l8yW0CkE/UhvHOrT1I4I/AAAAAAAAFo0/A_LusL1z3Cw/s1600/IMG_0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q69l8yW0CkE/UhvHOrT1I4I/AAAAAAAAFo0/A_LusL1z3Cw/s640/IMG_0483.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We shared some first time adventures, too.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TWk3-UgnpHA/UhvH8hj4A3I/AAAAAAAAFpU/EFNiJaS_6o4/s1600/IMG_0509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TWk3-UgnpHA/UhvH8hj4A3I/AAAAAAAAFpU/EFNiJaS_6o4/s640/IMG_0509.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A wild boar sauntered across our path. (He turned into that tiny speck on the left by the time I fumbled my phone out for the photo--but trust me. He was gigantic.)</span> <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lTBflNyK0pI/UhvIU2fxcyI/AAAAAAAAFps/e9cpMDstxPw/s1600/IMG_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lTBflNyK0pI/UhvIU2fxcyI/AAAAAAAAFps/e9cpMDstxPw/s640/IMG_0521.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peter captained our thrill-seeking adventure, which I fondly refer to as "the boat ride of terror." It began peacefully enough. A little cruising, a little snorkeling...and then a shark sighting where we planned to drop anchor for more snorkeling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(By the way, sharks don't really announce themselves with a "fin-up" warning, like in <i>Jaws</i>. This bad boy swam along the ocean floor--in about four feet of water. We just happened to spot him as I started to drop anchor.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ummm...no thank you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, two storm cells formed, with lightning in the distance and choppy waves, chasing us across the bay...and I was a very unhappy boat baby. (The kids and Peter didn't seem bothered by the waves and slamming of the boat--but that's because they're brave. I'm a wuss.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We lived.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We played with bioluminescent plankton. We laid on the beach and watched the Perseid meteor shower. We counted 29 meteors.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eaHN357jJ3w/UhvIwJ-dIFI/AAAAAAAAFp8/Q13lCQqaBxI/s1600/IMG_0529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eaHN357jJ3w/UhvIwJ-dIFI/AAAAAAAAFp8/Q13lCQqaBxI/s640/IMG_0529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We stalked turtle nests, trying to gauge hatch dates.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K_T6jxP9gZk/UhvLTr6G6JI/AAAAAAAAFrc/WRKc8kPI90Q/s1600/IMG_0572.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K_T6jxP9gZk/UhvLTr6G6JI/AAAAAAAAFrc/WRKc8kPI90Q/s640/IMG_0572.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p4ceLov5hSk/UhvK-Kuet6I/AAAAAAAAFrM/0bTATrECxVQ/s1600/IMG_0571.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p4ceLov5hSk/UhvK-Kuet6I/AAAAAAAAFrM/0bTATrECxVQ/s640/IMG_0571.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we missed the hatch! I knew I should have slept in a beach chair by the nest. So disappointing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I grow up, I'm going to be a turtle lady and live on the beach. </span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MLGy22W0RX8/UhvIpEJr1lI/AAAAAAAAFp0/YaV2B4jxRIc/s1600/IMG_0537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MLGy22W0RX8/UhvIpEJr1lI/AAAAAAAAFp0/YaV2B4jxRIc/s640/IMG_0537.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deer spotting. Completely blasé about the tourist paparazzi.</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_cN2hWii1Lc/UhvI9DN7gmI/AAAAAAAAFqE/WZCygjfNaMc/s1600/IMG_0541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_cN2hWii1Lc/UhvI9DN7gmI/AAAAAAAAFqE/WZCygjfNaMc/s640/IMG_0541.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The kids met many new friends, some a bit deadly. </span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8MrlZZ2d3WA/UhvJcFUNR4I/AAAAAAAAFqc/79WJbldP1JU/s1600/IMG_0542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8MrlZZ2d3WA/UhvJcFUNR4I/AAAAAAAAFqc/79WJbldP1JU/s640/IMG_0542.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pufferfish might be considered a delicacy in Japan, but they also contain enough poison to kill 30 adults. No matter how expertly trained the chef may be, I don't think it's worth potential death. Just my opinion. </span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MYNYXZcK8Vk/UhvJVhY7HnI/AAAAAAAAFqM/bmn7IvsWdhQ/s1600/IMG_0546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MYNYXZcK8Vk/UhvJVhY7HnI/AAAAAAAAFqM/bmn7IvsWdhQ/s640/IMG_0546.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of the new friends were a bit crabby.</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4_eFnB37MEw/UhvJbXXPvBI/AAAAAAAAFqU/BXn5-nLlSQQ/s1600/IMG_0551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4_eFnB37MEw/UhvJbXXPvBI/AAAAAAAAFqU/BXn5-nLlSQQ/s640/IMG_0551.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p09UdVTqwg0/UhvJq5IxiXI/AAAAAAAAFqs/Ux5GwHrErCk/s1600/IMG_0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="568" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p09UdVTqwg0/UhvJq5IxiXI/AAAAAAAAFqs/Ux5GwHrErCk/s640/IMG_0553.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIqXQ_AEpYo/UhvKJfvATGI/AAAAAAAAFq0/vFxFvQuLiYs/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIqXQ_AEpYo/UhvKJfvATGI/AAAAAAAAFq0/vFxFvQuLiYs/s640/IMG_0555.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wy8NPVMf3QI/UhvKMZSgHAI/AAAAAAAAFq8/QppXvgpu6Kc/s1600/IMG_0563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wy8NPVMf3QI/UhvKMZSgHAI/AAAAAAAAFq8/QppXvgpu6Kc/s640/IMG_0563.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few new friends looked a bit tattered and tired.</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0OSVVrIab_A/UhvKky2UkyI/AAAAAAAAFrE/fo_SrAvyYdY/s1600/IMG_0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0OSVVrIab_A/UhvKky2UkyI/AAAAAAAAFrE/fo_SrAvyYdY/s640/IMG_0565.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But our summer bliss is over. We're back to reality. School's begun, the gardens are begging for attention, and it's time to start planning the fall garden.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still, a summer nature camp...hmmm... </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K_T6jxP9gZk/UhvLTr6G6JI/AAAAAAAAFrc/WRKc8kPI90Q/s1600/IMG_0572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s1PjmxSflhs/UhvH1edzy5I/AAAAAAAAFpM/Vh_IndNHzJ4/s1600/IMG_0497.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s1PjmxSflhs/UhvH1edzy5I/AAAAAAAAFpM/Vh_IndNHzJ4/s640/IMG_0497.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2DN4R0e7PsI/UhvIDM6WtwI/AAAAAAAAFpk/pkFe4ZRD94k/s1600/IMG_0506.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2DN4R0e7PsI/UhvIDM6WtwI/AAAAAAAAFpk/pkFe4ZRD94k/s640/IMG_0506.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe my friend is onto something. It sounds like a perfect career move. </span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ymeo9V7lxFM/UhvLcBvx7sI/AAAAAAAAFrs/o0mVnRzcE8g/s1600/IMG_0574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ymeo9V7lxFM/UhvLcBvx7sI/AAAAAAAAFrs/o0mVnRzcE8g/s640/IMG_0574.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If only we lived at the beach.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What did you do on your summer vacation? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span> <br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-23179081698895179792013-07-24T14:21:00.001-04:002013-07-25T09:15:50.118-04:00Summer Celebrations, Southern Style.<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It happens every year. As the school
days dwindle, I begin dreaming of summer...the fabulous trips
we'll take, the places to explore, the lazy afternoons by the pool,
reading and playing, the late-night Scrabble marathons, and the
enrichment activities that will keep our brains fresh.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And then, suddenly, it's July 24, and
I'm panicked. School begins in less than a month.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We haven't even planned our vacation.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Granted, we've been busy. I went to San Francisco with the <a href="http://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/">Garden Bloggers' Fling</a>--and I will write about those fabulous, awe-inspiring gardens soon. The kids
attended camps—lots of camps. Zoo camp, sailing camp, Humane
Society camp, plus Mikey added a Lego camp to his line-up. In fact,
we probably scheduled too many camps, but the kids really wanted to
attend these camps. Mikey tried to add a science camp—but I put my
foot down. After all, the kids need to swim and play and just be
lazy. It's summer, for goodness' sake! Then, Peter's parents arrived
from Switzerland on July 9 and left yesterday. Needless to say, it's
been crazy.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My vision of summer never
matches our reality. I've blamed the torrential, non-stop rain. Or
maybe it's the fact that Peter and I aren't very good at just doing
nothing...which, in my daydreams, is really what I envision for
summer. A chaise lounge by the pool, frosty drink at my side, book in
hand, while our sweet children swim and play quietly together.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Our neighbors will attest that
“play quietly” is an oxymoron, at least applied to our kids.)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is one thing, though, that always
lives up to my summertime expectations:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nEH6yvS3XdI/Ue_wSNGOQwI/AAAAAAAAFgk/926d2knESKw/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nEH6yvS3XdI/Ue_wSNGOQwI/AAAAAAAAFgk/926d2knESKw/s640/DSC_0025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Frogmore Stew.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now, fear not...no frogs are harmed in
the making of this classic southern dish.
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Also known as Beaufort Stew, Lowcountry
Boil, or Shrimp Boil, this one-pot dish is, for me, the essence of
summer.
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fresh from the field sweet corn.
Succulent shrimp. New potatoes, just harvested from the garden. And
the bonus? Just one pot to wash. Truly, an easy, delicious,
finger-licking good dinner best served with an icy beer.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">For
the history buffs, Frogmore Stew</span></b> originated in the
Frogmore community on St. Helena Island near Beaufort. However,
versions of Frogmore Stew exist throughout the coastal regions of the
south. Some folks say that the dish is really just a compilation of
whatever the fishermen's wives had on hand to throw in the pot.
Personally, I like to add a little brightness to the traditional mix
of corn, shrimp, and sausage by adding colorful sweet peppers to the
pot.
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Plus, the peppers soak up the spices
and add a little surprise heat to each bite.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The hardest part of Frogmore Stew is
peeling and deveining the shrimp. It's a nasty, time-consuming job,
but I love shrimp—so it's worth it.
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(I remember once when I was about 11 or
12, my dad bought five pounds of fresh shrimp while we vacationed at
the beach. We had to peel and devein 5 pounds of shrimp, which took
ages. I'm sure, being a preteen, I made the appropriate gagging
sounds while I took out the veins. After it was clean, he boiled it
for a couple minutes in salted water and chilled it to make shrimp cocktail. For
years afterwards, he always shook his head and reminisced about how
long it took us to clean that shrimp—and how we all devoured it in
less than five minutes.)
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Last week, during my in-laws visit, I
thought it would be fun to serve them a traditional southern dinner
and dessert: Frogmore Stew and <a href="http://growingdays.blogspot.com/2012/08/perfectly-peachy-decadence.html">Peach Crisp</a>. The Peach Crisp, usually
a no-fail staple in my dessert repertoire, didn't crisp—it looked
more like peach soup. The Frogmore Stew, however, turned out almost exactly
as planned. I posted a photo on my Facebook page, and several people
asked for the recipe. Here, for your taste of a southern summer dish
from a former Yankee girl, is my variation on Frogmore Stew:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Frogmore Stew</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>Ingredients:</u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2 pounds fresh shrimp, peeled and
deveined. (We're lucky to have a vendor at <a href="http://www.hubcityfm.org/">Hub City Farmers' Market</a>
that sells fresh South Carolina shrimp...divine!)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3 lbs. Kielbasa, cut into 1-inch
slices (most recipes call for a spicier sausage, but my family isn't
crazy about heat)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4 lbs. red new potatoes, washed,
skin on</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2 medium onions, peeled and sliced
into 1/2-inch sections</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3 large sweet peppers, seeded and
cut into 1/4-inch slices (I use red, orange, and yellow to add
color)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">10 ears sweet corn, shucked and
cleaned, broken in half (It makes it easier to fit into the pot.)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 3-oz. bag prepared shrimp and
crab boil spices (I use Zatarain's Crawfish, Shrimp and Crab Boil in
a Bag)</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>Directions:</u></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<ol>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fill a large stock pot half-full
with water. Add the bag of spices and bring to a boil.
</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Add potatoes, onions, and sausage.
Boil for 10 minutes.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next, add the corn and peppers.
Boil an additional 8 minutes.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finally, add the shrimp and cook
until pink, about three minutes. Don't overcook the shrimp.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Drain immediately and serve with
sides of butter for the corn and cocktail sauce for the shrimp, if
you like. </span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(The meal feeds about 8 adults.)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">FYI: If you have a ventilation hood on
your stove, run it while the pot boils. The spices tend to make my
eyes tear, and I inevitably start coughing my head off. Maybe it's
just me, but it seems to help to have some ventilation while cooking.
Or I'm just a spice wimp.</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have to say, my in-laws looked
perplexed when confronted with the big bowl of food on the dinner
table. They were good sports, though. My father-in-law commented, in
his heavy German accent, that the mix of ingredients was “strange”
to them. They had never eaten sweet corn!
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Can you imagine? What is summer without
sweet corn?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Strange or not, everyone seemed to
enjoy Frogmore Stew.
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Except our picky children, of course.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But that's OK. Because for a moment,
eating my share of two pounds of shrimp and several cobs of sweet
corn, it finally felt like summer.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Remember I said that the Frogmore Stew was "almost" as expected? </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After we all finished eating, I suddenly remembered that I forgot to add the potatoes.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In fact, I never got them out of the pantry. Oops.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No one seemed to suffer from lack of potatoes, fortunately. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now, it's time to book our vacation.
We're thinking of taking the kids to Florida, somewhere along the
Gulf, to snorkel. While I love South Carolina beaches, the water is too murky for snorkeling. Any good snorkeling beach recommendations?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Only 26 days until school resumes.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sniff.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I think we'll need another Frogmore Stew before school begins. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Happy summer!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Julie</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shared with <a href="http://mindbodyandsoleonline.com/herbal-information/97th-wildcrafting-wednesday/">Wildcrafting Wednesdays</a> and <a href="http://www.backyardfarmingconnection.com/2013/07/the-backyard-farming-connection-41.html">The Backyard Farming Connection</a>.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-41895419790057019962013-07-16T00:34:00.001-04:002013-07-16T00:34:08.855-04:00Finding the Blooms in July.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, hosted by <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/">May Dreams Gardens</a>. Usually, my biggest problem for July's Bloom Day is the overbearing South Carolina drought. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not this year.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year, my challenge is to find blooms in the garden that haven't melted away due to the enormous amounts of rain Upstate SC is experiencing. Did you hear the sad new about the <a href="http://www.clemson.edu/public/scbg/">South Carolina Botanical Garden</a>? They recently installed the Natural Heritage Garden, an exhibit that included many rare and endangered plants, and the torrential rains caused horrific damage to the garden. If you'd like to donate to help rebuild the garden, you can find information <a href="https://cualumni.clemson.edu/give/scbg">here</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crazy, crazy weather.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still, even with our daily deluge of rain, I found a few blooms to share with you. </span><br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uqbMUA_QegU/UeSpOiqXX_I/AAAAAAAAFeA/Zl7iZGuxs70/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uqbMUA_QegU/UeSpOiqXX_I/AAAAAAAAFeA/Zl7iZGuxs70/s640/DSC_0060.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Casa Blanca lilies...my favorite. I fear a vole snacked on many of the bulbs, because these are the only few that I've seen this year.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-neEG6PSam5U/UeSoOfExsnI/AAAAAAAAFbc/Ui39fE_rAWE/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-neEG6PSam5U/UeSoOfExsnI/AAAAAAAAFbc/Ui39fE_rAWE/s640/DSC_0006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The large kitchen garden is a tumble of overgrowth and unripe tomatoes. Honestly, the foliage is lush and green, particularly in the herb garden at the front of the raised beds.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pYl0YjfaXD8/UeSprYGFoFI/AAAAAAAAFfM/oGoWfsXgEHM/s1600/DSC_0078.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pYl0YjfaXD8/UeSprYGFoFI/AAAAAAAAFfM/oGoWfsXgEHM/s640/DSC_0078.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The flowering herbs are major pollinator havens.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6lkaSUwX4t8/UeSoCBheepI/AAAAAAAAFbU/IvUB8Z1eg0c/s1600/DSC_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6lkaSUwX4t8/UeSoCBheepI/AAAAAAAAFbU/IvUB8Z1eg0c/s640/DSC_0007.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But although the garden is green and bursting with vines, everything is late. I've yet to find one cucumber. Last July, we were already searching for recipes to use up our insane harvest of cucumbers.</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XHeQuki4mXw/UeSn1B82uaI/AAAAAAAAFbM/1BgVdRsXcCg/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="596" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XHeQuki4mXw/UeSn1B82uaI/AAAAAAAAFbM/1BgVdRsXcCg/s640/DSC_0008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tonight, we ate the first beans harvested from our Three Sisters Garden. The corn definitely likes the rain, but the squash vines below melted. I planted more squash seeds, hoping for a fall harvest.</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JoA_K9XmxTc/UeSoPIrucZI/AAAAAAAAFbk/g2lg5lAhoxY/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JoA_K9XmxTc/UeSoPIrucZI/AAAAAAAAFbk/g2lg5lAhoxY/s640/DSC_0009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7-mmEu1PzZQ/UeSoaks7AxI/AAAAAAAAFb8/ZwazCazZ3Gc/s1600/DSC_0012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7-mmEu1PzZQ/UeSoaks7AxI/AAAAAAAAFb8/ZwazCazZ3Gc/s640/DSC_0012.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Y9z_PuwOu8/UeSot463J6I/AAAAAAAAFcs/7FM3j02I-dE/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Y9z_PuwOu8/UeSot463J6I/AAAAAAAAFcs/7FM3j02I-dE/s640/DSC_0022.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-taOCeeyr_3I/UeSoUlQfUPI/AAAAAAAAFbs/TgBslaoRdfA/s1600/DSC_0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I can only hope that the veggie garden experiences a quick burst of productivity in the bit of sun that reached it today. Bruschetta is calling my name...but I need my heirloom tomatoes to ripen! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AlgTlEKt_hw/UeSokY0HFHI/AAAAAAAAFcU/FvumTCdi7-Y/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AlgTlEKt_hw/UeSokY0HFHI/AAAAAAAAFcU/FvumTCdi7-Y/s640/DSC_0026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone is confused. Typically, by July the gardenias are sleeping. Not this year--they continue to infuse the air with their delicious scent. </span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-umxFqElSE2c/UeSobl4J0SI/AAAAAAAAFcE/wUjRtp8EOJs/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-umxFqElSE2c/UeSobl4J0SI/AAAAAAAAFcE/wUjRtp8EOJs/s640/DSC_0024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the newly planted pollinator garden, the monarda is a good example of too much rain. Don't you just want to hand it a towel? Poor thing.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nksQxGo43uk/UeSoVkVqEuI/AAAAAAAAFb0/fo8_xvbBGdc/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nksQxGo43uk/UeSoVkVqEuI/AAAAAAAAFb0/fo8_xvbBGdc/s640/DSC_0018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The lemon balm, while usually just a bit of a nuisance, truly became a bully this summer due to all of the rain. Fortunately, its tiny blooms attract lovely little pollinators, so I'm giving it a warning. If it continues its ill behavior, there WILL be consequences.</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ka-Dxxjw1iI/UeSoh8jyAfI/AAAAAAAAFcM/CjhofmLr9tw/s1600/DSC_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ka-Dxxjw1iI/UeSoh8jyAfI/AAAAAAAAFcM/CjhofmLr9tw/s640/DSC_0027.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tall verbena is bent over, beaten by the rain. I'm too embarrassed to show you the full photo, because it proves that I'm a softie for trying anything to keep a few blooms in the garden, even when they need to be yanked out by the roots. I keep crossing my fingers that I'll walk out tomorrow morning, and it will be standing at attention, nice and straight.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know. I'm pitiful.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dOxlNfTETzg/UeSosnO3m9I/AAAAAAAAFcg/OSp80tw1toc/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dOxlNfTETzg/UeSosnO3m9I/AAAAAAAAFcg/OSp80tw1toc/s640/DSC_0028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Rozanne' seems to have withstood the worst of the rain. </span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9O751JViNlQ/UeSosoKfL-I/AAAAAAAAFck/6ZSmXqsMppU/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9O751JViNlQ/UeSosoKfL-I/AAAAAAAAFck/6ZSmXqsMppU/s640/DSC_0029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But even the poor stargazers are too saturated to last long in bloom. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sigh. </span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Laou6dFGbhk/UeSoyTfi2KI/AAAAAAAAFc0/qi72evPEA9o/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Laou6dFGbhk/UeSoyTfi2KI/AAAAAAAAFc0/qi72evPEA9o/s640/DSC_0030.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The blooms of the phlox also succumbed to the rain. Surprisingly, though, I haven't battled powdery mildew on the plant like I normally do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-95tcmBN0b2s/UeSo9bGIfzI/AAAAAAAAFdU/n6sVgkrf390/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-95tcmBN0b2s/UeSo9bGIfzI/AAAAAAAAFdU/n6sVgkrf390/s640/DSC_0037.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, I'm typically battling black spot by now on the roses--but so far, not this year.</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--9nXaFtQ17I/UeSo7ZpMfAI/AAAAAAAAFdM/w8xVuluOsmI/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--9nXaFtQ17I/UeSo7ZpMfAI/AAAAAAAAFdM/w8xVuluOsmI/s640/DSC_0034.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The buddleia seems to enjoy the gallons of water each day, thankfully. Our bees and butterflies congregated on the three bushes today, making me think I should keep the Epi-Pen a little closer while I took photos.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fortunately, the bees were too busy with the flowers to bother with me. </span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arqIa_zpc3Y/UeSo3HdHKcI/AAAAAAAAFdE/lGTqWEj7c5k/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arqIa_zpc3Y/UeSo3HdHKcI/AAAAAAAAFdE/lGTqWEj7c5k/s640/DSC_0033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The beautiful daylilies I recently purchased revolted against their soggy new home. They're growing well, but they refuse to show their pretty faces. Yeesh, what prima donnas. These few daylilies planted last year were kind enough to add a bit of color to the perennial bed.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a4ZPJM5XwmM/UeSpNZx7uSI/AAAAAAAAFd0/I1oYeJ-0rdo/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a4ZPJM5XwmM/UeSpNZx7uSI/AAAAAAAAFd0/I1oYeJ-0rdo/s640/DSC_0055.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4HjWD3Mw8yQ/UeSo3HxU50I/AAAAAAAAFdA/r_OH6t6kmsU/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4HjWD3Mw8yQ/UeSo3HxU50I/AAAAAAAAFdA/r_OH6t6kmsU/s640/DSC_0032.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, my trusty friends, the Japanese anemones, are preparing for an early show. They're full of buds, just about to burst any day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The little ice plant isn't loving all of the water, but it's a trooper and continues to produce a few cheerful blooms...</span><br />
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...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the gaura also tries to hang in there for me, withstanding the moisture and the attack of Japanese beetles. </span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have I ever mentioned how much I despise Japanese beetles?</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fortunately, the nasty beetles haven't damaged the lantanas throughout the garden. However, only the lantana in the mailbox garden is blooming. The others need Mr. Sun to shine down on them to encourage some color. Soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ja_Oy_X2Z9g/UeSp5XMuYfI/AAAAAAAAFfs/i8kjuf_LABg/s1600/DSC_0084.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ja_Oy_X2Z9g/UeSp5XMuYfI/AAAAAAAAFfs/i8kjuf_LABg/s640/DSC_0084.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, we all know hydrangeas should enjoy water...right? For about a week, the hydrangeas looked magnificent. The Brides Blushed beautifully, the Twist & Shout partied hard in the garden, cute little Pee Gee beamed with blooms in the shade, and the oakleaf bushes drooped dramatic cones.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then, the lovely flowers turned mushy. </span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So. Depressing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank goodness for the garden cheerleaders! Bright little Black-Eyed Susan vines add a touch of cheer in hanging baskets...</span> <br />
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...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">while perky purple coneflowers refuse to melt under duress. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-paq2-dk8h5M/UeSpcMMDA0I/AAAAAAAAFek/YpnWouGWR1U/s1600/DSC_0068.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-paq2-dk8h5M/UeSpcMMDA0I/AAAAAAAAFek/YpnWouGWR1U/s640/DSC_0068.JPG" width="640" /></a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I admit, I often curse rudbeckia. It's such a bully in the front perennial bed. The more I thin it, the more prevalent it becomes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, I'm rethinking my aversion to it. It's been a trooper during the summer storms, and I have to give it credit for the bright, lovely patch of cheer it's added to the entryway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both Rose of Sharon bushes just began blooming--and they're heavy with buds. Thank goodness. I need some color in the back sitting area.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mandevilla is so reliable. Honestly, I love this vine by the pool. Even the rain can't dampen its spirits.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The poor hardy hibiscus, though...it experienced a tough spring. First, the leaves served as a snack for every caterpillar and Japanese beetle in the garden until the leaves resemble lace. Then, the rain makes the blooms rather...sad. Normally, they're so perky and cheerful, but right now they just look so tired from the effort of opening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My very happy surprise, however, is a new addition to the back garden by the pool: blackberry lily. A gift from my friend Janet's garden (aka <a href="http://thequeenofseaford.blogspot.com/">The Queen of Seaford</a>), these adorable little lilies produced blooms one week after transplanting them--and they just keep on going without complaint. I think they may be my new favorite plant! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How's the weather in your garden? Wishing you rain (but not too much), pleasant days, and happy blooms!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-12868705537712500842013-07-10T12:38:00.001-04:002013-07-10T12:38:27.488-04:00Garlic: A Stylish Display to Ward Off Vampires.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a pre-teen girl in the house, there's bound to be a brief obsession with <i>Twilight.</i> I'll admit--I read the books, and I even went to the first movie with my book club friends. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know. My credibility is shot now, isn't it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until recently, though, the first movie ended my <i>Twilight</i> entertainment-spree. But then, somehow, our tween girlie entered the land of vampires and werewolves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She became <i>Twilight</i> obsessed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Literally.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She read the book series four times. She watched the movies on a continuous loop. She even convinced me to stay awake until 2 a.m. to watch the remaining movies with her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the way--she's Team Edward all the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, after weeks of vampire talk, we confiscated the books and movies and told her it was time to move on to other entertainment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Thank goodness for horses and all horseback-riding book and movie series.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Truly, though, her obsession with vampires made me think we'd need to hang garlic around her neck to ward off future, potentially undead, boyfriends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead, we decided to decorate the kitchen with our garlic harvest. It's still within easy reach should a vampire decide to pay a house call.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For several years, I've wanted to make a garlic braid to hang in the kitchen, but somehow--it never happened. As we all know, I'm not the craftiest person. I'll Pin all kinds of adorable garden crafts, but the reality is that my projects never turn out quite as I envision them. In fact, I've been known to buy all of the components for a project--and then chicken out, fearing my disappointment when my efforts don't measure up to the original project.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think I have Pinaphobia...the fear of craftiness failure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But honestly, a garlic braid? That shouldn't be complicated, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a reality check: my vampire-crazy girl just got her first French braid--at the hairdressers'. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You see, I can't braid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, I can't French braid. And from what I read, making a garlic braid is much like French braiding--you keep adding in pieces (in this case, garlic stems) to form the braid. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because Kristen constantly braids horse tails and manes, the thought of braiding doesn't throw her into a panic. She volunteered to make the braid, while I played photographer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Perfect. A mother/daughter crafting activity that requires no crafting from this mom!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before the braiding begins, you first need some garlic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Obviously.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fortunately, two weeks ago, I harvested our garlic. It was one of those evenings when I trudged to the garden in my decent clothes, just to take a peek at the beds, and wound up harvesting garlic because it suddenly looked ready.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know. This is why I never have any decent clothes--they're all stained and nasty from my impromptu garden forays.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After harvesting garlic from the garden, it needs to cure for about two weeks in a shady location. The racks in our garage provided the perfect garlic-curing station. Of course, my poor Prius sat in the driveway, but our garage smelled like an Italian restaurant for two weeks. Mmmm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oV1kJinEaVE/UdzX0vtIzmI/AAAAAAAAFTo/96OGatDv1qI/s1600/DSC_0132.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oV1kJinEaVE/UdzX0vtIzmI/AAAAAAAAFTo/96OGatDv1qI/s640/DSC_0132.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't wash the garlic--just remove as much soil as possible. After the garlic dries, the soil will be easier to brush off the bulbs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you didn't plant garlic last fall, never fear--visit your local Farmers' Market and buy some beautiful softneck garlic (with the stems still attached.) I saw gorgeous varieties at my local market last Saturday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remove as much soil as possible from the bulbs. You can use a soft toothbrush, or you can use a brightly painted fingernail to remove the dirt and outer wrapper of the bulb. Using scissors, trim the roots of the bulbs to about 1/2 inch.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Several sites recommend soaking the leaves (which I'm referring to as stems, although softneck garlic doesn't really have "stems") of the garlic to make them more pliable. Our garlic stems were quite flexible, so we didn't bother with this step. If your garlic is extremely dry or brittle, you may want to place the stems between two wet towels until the stems soften and bend easily. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cut two pieces of twine, approximately two feet in length. Select three large softneck garlic bulbs and place them side-by-side, with the center bulb slightly lower. Only use softneck garlic, as hardneck garlic will not be pliable enough to braid.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tie one piece of the twine around the stems, just above the three bulbs, forming a secure knot. (You can trim the twine later so that it doesn't show.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now the fun begins. Cross the right stem over the middle, then cross the left stem. The first, easy step in braiding.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ued2ba8M7ak/UdzXD0kBq_I/AAAAAAAAFSA/i1Sfxrbf-Ko/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ued2ba8M7ak/UdzXD0kBq_I/AAAAAAAAFSA/i1Sfxrbf-Ko/s640/DSC_0010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, the fun begins. Add another bulb to the right, but place the stem in the middle. Cross the right stem over the two middle stems. The "right" stem is now in the center. Then add another bulb to the middle, again keeping the stem in the center. Cross the left stem over the middle. Now, the "left" stem is in the center. Add another bulb to the left side, stem centered, and cross the new left pieces over the additional stem.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Continue adding bulbs, always aligning the new bulb's stem with the center stems, then crossing over. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So glad my girl volunteered to help, because I can't imagine trying my hand at braiding--and juggling the camera. There's no way it would have ended well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the first braid, we selected 13 bulbs. As we reached lucky 13, we centered it at the top. Once all of the bulbs were braided in, Kristen continued braiding the stems, forming a nice, even six-inch braid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, using the second piece of twine, she tied off the braid, first making a knot to secure it, and then adding a bow for cuteness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pretty cute, don't you think?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inspired by my daughter's braiding ability, I tried my hand at it, making a longer braid of some of the smaller garlic bulbs.</span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm just not meant for projects like this. I kept confusing myself, trying to remember which stem needed to cross where. Good grief. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still, I didn't give up, and we now have two garlic braids hanging in the kitchen, within easy reach should Edward Cullen decide to appear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I've promised Kristen that I will watch many YouTube videos to learn how to French braid this summer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's the least I can do, because too soon she won't want me invading her space and helping with her hair.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(But if we keep lots of garlic in the house, perhaps we won't need to worry about ANY boys--undead or alive--for awhile!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you have a favorite garlic recipe? Mine is shrimp scampi, which you can find <a href="http://growingdays.blogspot.com/2010/10/christmas-in-october.html">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy braiding!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-43808321032981454382013-07-04T00:41:00.001-04:002013-07-09T21:40:29.205-04:00Hug a Bee! Protect Our Pollinators.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who said summer is stress-free and relaxing? Good grief, we've been on the go more in the past three weeks of summer vacation than during the school year! Last week, I tallied 159.3 miles driven in ONE DAY, taking the kids to zoo camp and horseback riding lessons. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank goodness I drive a Prius.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still, I've felt a little stressed this summer for another reason, and it has nothing to do with spending hours in a car.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our garden is curiously bare.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pollinators are missing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g_rhOjX4Q5I/UciLnulcEqI/AAAAAAAAFP0/hjEqGvj8o7E/s1600/DSC_0165.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="562" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g_rhOjX4Q5I/UciLnulcEqI/AAAAAAAAFP0/hjEqGvj8o7E/s640/DSC_0165.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Granted, I've seen a few. But in our organic garden, we normally find dozens of caterpillars, happily munching on fennel, dill, and parsley. We watch hummingbirds chase one another around the lantana and the feeders. Butterfly photos crowd my camera, as I try to capture just one. more. shot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the bees? Normally, I'm making certain my Epi-pen is within easy grasp.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But this year, the garden is disturbingly quiet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've always planted for the pollinators. Whether it's including host plants for larva, like fennel and parsley, or ensuring we have many blooming nectar sources, pollinators typically party in our gardens.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We don't spray--not even organic pesticides, as we know those "safe" sprays can also kill beneficial insects.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sadly, though, we can't control our neighbors' actions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, we worry about colony collapse disorder, but did you hear about the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/20/bees-dead-oregon-target-_n_3472870.html">travesty in Oregon</a>, with pesticides killing more than 25,000 bumblebees? Even if we practice organic growing and invite pollinators to our gardens, a mass destruction of pollinators by one irresponsible landscaping company dramatically impacts the ecosystem.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then, on the heels of the Oregon disaster, 37 million honeybees died in <a href="http://now.msn.com/millions-of-honeybees-found-dead-in-canada">Elmwood, Ontario</a>. The cause? Experts point to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">insecticides called neonicotinoids, used in planting corn and other crops, as the likely culprit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's heartbreaking. Obviously, our garden is not alone in pollinator decline.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you seen the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/15/supermarket-without-bees_n_3442938.html">photos</a> from Whole Foods Market making the rounds on Facebook? Without pollinators, our selections for dinner look rather bleak.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lk7SXedsORs/UcrXMzAhu0I/AAAAAAAAFQk/tbmL1fWIe2c/s1600/DSC_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lk7SXedsORs/UcrXMzAhu0I/AAAAAAAAFQk/tbmL1fWIe2c/s640/DSC_0141.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ironically, this spring I added two small pollinator gardens near our large kitchen garden, hoping to showcase the importance of planting for pollinators. Granted, I installed the gardens quickly prior to the CFSA Farm Tour so that we could jump-start conversations about the need to protect pollinators. (We already have many host plants in the herb garden and forest surrounding the raised beds.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It worked well--at least, in launching conversations. But to my dismay, many of the host plants remain pristine, while in previous years we joked about the decimated dill and holey parsley. We WANT these plants to look ratty and tattered, because it means that lovely little caterpillars are getting the nutrition they need to become beautiful butterflies.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CyBypfXaWRI/UciLks6pMqI/AAAAAAAAFPk/yKxYbdYhSSc/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="602" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CyBypfXaWRI/UciLks6pMqI/AAAAAAAAFPk/yKxYbdYhSSc/s640/DSC_0034.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bees and butterflies aren't alone in needing protection. Pesticides affect birds, too, killing off their food sources and impacting their health. Other pollinators, like bats, are succumbing to disease. <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/05/blood-and-spore-how-a-bat-killing-fungus-is-threatening-us-agriculture/275596/">White-Nose Syndrome</a>, a fungal disease, is responsible for killing millions of bats. While bats are known to eat mosquitoes, we often overlook their contribution to agriculture. Not only do they feast on crop-damaging caterpillars, but they also pollinate certain plants, like agaves. Along with the disease, pesticides also contribute to population decline.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the bleak news, what can we do to protect our pollinators?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plant a pollinator garden--<i>You Can Grow That!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, though, take a pledge to eliminate pesticides in your garden--and encourage your neighbors and homeowners' associations to ban pesticides, too. Honestly? Even "natural" pesticides wreck havoc on beneficial insects. Hand picking pests is much healthier for the environment than spraying poison.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, familiarize yourself with the species that live in your area and plant larval host plants, as well as nectar sources, suitable for those pollinators. You can find a list of butterflies in your area by entering your zip code <a href="http://pollinator.org/guides.htm">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When planning your pollinator garden, choose a variety of plant materials that will provide nectar sources throughout the season. Mix early blooming, mid- and late-blooming annuals and perennials to ensure an adequate supply of food and energy for the pollinators. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Water, too, is important for attracting pollinators. Birds, bees, and butterflies all benefit from water sources in your garden, from a bird bath or pond to a shallow dish of water. Also necessary is shelter for pollinators. Add a bat box to your garden. Plant trees to encourage nesting. Learn the pollinator species common to your area, and encourage them to make your garden their home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For instance, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies reside in my area in South Carolina. When planning our pollinator garden, I looked <a href="http://www.clemson.edu/cafls/departments/esps/factsheets/beneficials/butterfly_gardening_bb02.html">here</a> to find their host plants, as well as their favorite nectar sources. The caterpillars consume leaves on many of the trees in our forest, such as wild cherry, sweetbay, tulip tree, birch, ash, cottonwood, and willow. For this butterfly, I didn't need to add a host plant, as we already have numerous trees on our property to provide food for the caterpillars. However, I did add some nectar sources. While they enjoy lilac, the bloom time is short in SC, so I added milkweed and Joe-Pye weed to the mix.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Additionally, some plants attract more than one type of pollinator. Passion flower, for instance, serves as a host plant for gulf fritillary caterpillars, while attracting hummingbirds and butterflies with its stunning purple flower for nectar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also in my area, black swallowtails use dill as a host plant, with caterpillars consuming the herb. Dill is another good dual purpose plant in a pollinator garden, though, because its flowers also attract</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lady bugs, predatory and parasitic wasps.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a list of perennials and annuals to plant in your pollinator garden, check <a href="http://www.clemson.edu/cafls/departments/esps/factsheets/beneficials/butterfly_gardening_bb02.html">here</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Planning and planting a pollinator garden is a perfect family activity. Many of the plants are easily grown from seed, such as zinnias and sunflowers, and the garden provides an excellent learning opportunity to teach our next generation of gardeners the importance of growing sustainably to protect our pollinators. There are many stories to tell and lessons to learn in growing a pollinator garden.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Besides, who doesn't get a thrill when Ms. Monarch pays a visit?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know I do!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's hoping that perhaps our lack of pollinator activity is due to our very wet spring--crossing fingers and toes that with a little more sunshine, we'll find a pollinator party in the gardens. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Julie</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youcangrowthat.com/blogs/"><i>You Can Grow That!</i></a> is hosted on the 4th of each month, with garden writers sharing the joys of growing gardens.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shared with <a href="http://thismindbeinyou.com/2013/07/from-the-farm-blog-hop-40.html">From the Farm Blog Hop</a> and <a href="http://www.backyardfarmingconnection.com/2013/07/the-backyard-farming-connection-hop-40.html">The Backyard Farming Connection</a>.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631374415610618691.post-56971922792412050992013-06-09T22:36:00.000-04:002013-06-14T09:13:32.692-04:00Celebrate Spring with Strawberry Muffins.<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Are you still awake? Oh, good. I know
it's late, but since tomorrow is Monday, I really, really think you
need to stay up just a little longer to ensure a happy start to your
week.
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Honestly, it's been such a wet and
gloomy weekend here, and tomorrow looks like more of the same. The
good news? School's out for summer! (Sing along if you like!) The bad
news? The wet weather ushers in the end of strawberry season.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rzzuZGVfF_Y/UbU304jCpWI/AAAAAAAAFPI/KwIo9Gtu2aU/s1600/DSC_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rzzuZGVfF_Y/UbU304jCpWI/AAAAAAAAFPI/KwIo9Gtu2aU/s640/DSC_0228.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We eagerly await the first strawberry
of the season. After all, what announces spring more than a
scrumptious, juice-dripping, warm-from-the-sun strawberry? Then, in a
blink of an eye—and maybe because we're all so wrapped up with end
of school year programs, finals, awards days, playoff games, camp
registration, and the assorted noise of every day—the strawberry
sign pointing to the farm vanishes.
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In a panic, I drove by, only to see
“Sold Out” handwritten on a paper taped to the farm stand
door. The strawberries in our garden are dwindling, so it shouldn't
come as a great surprise that the farm by us would be done, too. But,
with the craziness in getting ready for the farm tour, I completely
forgot to freeze strawberries to get us through to next spring. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So,
like any good locavore, I sent out an emergency plea to my Facebook
friends to find out if strawberries could be found.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank goodness for social media,
because within moments, I had the names of three farms still selling
berries. Within two hours, I returned with two gallons of
strawberries in my possession.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whew. Disaster averted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's the thing: you need to make
these muffins immediately, while you can get your hands on fresh
strawberries. Although you can use frozen berries, it's just not the
same celebratory spring muffin. I'm sure it's good, but the best part
of baking strawberry muffins is savoring one fresh-from-the-garden,
delicious strawberry that emits the sweet scent of spring while you
chop the other berries to add to the mix. The aroma alone will make
your mouth water.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yl89Z_NRjhc/UbU5Ofqn9xI/AAAAAAAAFPU/-7k1EsdVggQ/s1600/DSC_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="578" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yl89Z_NRjhc/UbU5Ofqn9xI/AAAAAAAAFPU/-7k1EsdVggQ/s640/DSC_0167.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I made these muffins for the CFSA Upstate Farm
Tour, and they seemed to be a hit. In the next batch, though, I
experimented with adding a streusel topping—and I liked it even
better. (I should have taken a photo with streusel. Sorry.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Strawberry Muffins</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Makes 18 muffins)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>Ingredients</u><br />3 cups
all-purpose flour<br />1 tablespoon baking powder<br />1/2 teaspoon
baking soda<br />2 tablespoons ground cinnamon<br />1-1/4 cups milk<br />2
large eggs, beaten<br />1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter,
melted<br />2-1/2 cups diced fresh strawberries<br />1-1/2 cups
sugar<br /><br /><u>Directions:</u><br /><br />Preheat the oven to 375
degrees. Line muffin pan with paper liners or grease muffin
pan.<br /><br />Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and
cinnamon in a large bowl, mixing thoroughly. In a separate bowl,
combine the milk, eggs, and melted butter. Add the liquid ingredients
slowly into the flour mixture, mixing until just combined. (There
will be some lumps in the batter.) Add the strawberries and sugar to the batter,
stirring gently to combine.<br /><br />Spoon the batter into the muffin
cups to fill the liners ¾ full. Sprinkle streusel topping (see
below) on top of the muffins. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a
toothpick inserted into muffin comes out clean and the muffins are
lightly browned. <br /><br /><b>Streusel Topping</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1-1/3 cups sugar<br />1-1/3 cups
flour<br />1-3/4 tablespoons water<br />3 teaspoons cinnamon<br />1/2 cup
butter, softened<br /><br />Mix all ingredients until crumbly.
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now, with a warm strawberry muffin in
your tummy, the challenge of Monday seems less daunting, doesn't it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hope you have a lovely week!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">XOXO ~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Julie </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Shared with <a href="http://www.backyardfarmingconnection.com/2013/06/the-backyard-farming-connection-hop-36.html">The Backyard Farming Connection Blog Hop</a>, <a href="http://theadventurebite.com/from-the-farm-blog-hop-37/">From the Farm</a>, and <a href="http://mindbodyandsoleonline.com/herbal-information/92nd-wildcrafting-wednesday/">Wildcrafting Wednesday</a>.) </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09643317297830165273noreply@blogger.com2