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Gifts From The Garden
We all love the warm feeling we have that comes from receiving a handmade gift, but so many of us in this busy world we live do not have time. There are some quick gifts which may already be in your pantry which you canned during the summer garden harvest. There are alot of short cuts you can take such as using your canned treats and some simple packaging with a recipe card to share your gift. Most of the treats may only be finding a cute basket, stenciled recipe cards, or jar toppers to assemble a cute gift with a jar tucked inside. Fruit Honeys Topped with a…
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Types of Squash: Summer and Winter
Is squash a vegetable? Well, that’s a good question as there are various opinions. Technically it is categorized as a fruit because it develops from a flower and it has seeds. Summer squash is a big production in large amounts. It is a summer staple for our family. Squash is divided into summer squash and winter squash. Summer Squash Summer squash includes zucchini and yellow squash. I grow both types. They are picked while they are still somewhat immature, small and tender. The outer skin is delicate and easy to eat. The plants need to be checked daily for new produce, and when removing the squash, cutting versus breaking…
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A Guide To Peppers
Peppers are a favorite in most gardens behind tomatoes and herbs. They are often grown in container gardens and they do well. Peppers are a warm season favorite however, they require higher temperatures, grow more slowly and are smaller in size compared to a tomato plant. They require full sun and they need to spaced 12-18 inches apart. Peppers are a thirsty plant and need plenty of water. The soil must drain well so the roots do not get saturated which can water logs the roots. A little history about the spiciness/heat of pepper began in the 1900’s. The Scoville scale of heat is a measurement of the spiciness/heat of…
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Plotting Your Garden
This article is part 3 of a series for beginner gardeners planning their first garden. Here are links to the 2 other parts to the series in case you missed them: Part 1: Selecting A Location Part 2: Garden Soil Preparation There are many folks who have never picked up a garden hoe that are planting a vegetable garden for the first time. I have found planting and growing your own vegetables is a relaxing hobby, saves money, and provides nutritious foods which can even be pureed for toddlers. Growing your own veggies and fruits will give you comfort in knowing exactly what is on your fresh foods. You will…
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Christmas Candy Recipes
We had our first snow today. It was the perfect day to get lost in the kitchen while the snow fell outside. As you begin your holiday baking, add these recipes to your list. You will not be disappointed! Pecan Pralines 1 cup light brown sugar ½ cup granulated sugar ½ cup heavy cream 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons of water ¼ teaspoon salt 1 ½ cups chopped pecans Mix light brown sugar, granulated sugar, heavy cream, butter, water, and salt in a heavy bottomed saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until sugar dissolves. Stir in pecans and cook over medium heat until mixture…
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DIY Stocking Hangers
I love the look of these stocking hangers. I couldn’t find anything like them to purchase and I had a vision of these stocking hangers for my growing family on my mantel. So, I decided to make these myself. They turned out great and were so easy to make. Get the steps below! Choose a small log. (I used birch) Use a saw to cut into 4 inch pieces. Drill a hole the size of the dial you are using. Glue the dial into the hole. Drill a small hole on top with a small drill bit. Use a wire to fit the hole and wrap the top in a…
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Guide To Fireplace Safety and Maintenance
During fall and winter, one of the joys our family loves is curling up in front of a warm fireplace. We have a wood burning fireplace which requires clean and safe maintenance to prevent the enjoyment from turning into a tragedy. There are many safety checks which must be done before starting your first fire of the season. Our fireplace is 18 years old, and we use it almost everyday during the winter. Being a nurse and having worked at at Burn Center, I am particularly sensitive and cautious when it comes to safety and maintenance of a wood burning fireplace. FIREPLACE SAFETY CHECKS Chimneys need to be checked and…
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Guide To Apples And Their Uses
Autumn is a magical time of year for many reasons. The leaves are changing and one of the favorite fall traditions in many parts of the country in visiting apple orchards. Apple harvest can run through November in some parts of the country. Apple varieties are as individual with their own flavors, textures, and strengths. Some do very well in baked desserts while others do well in salads. You can not really tell by looking at the apples what works the best for what use. Below are 4 categories and which corresponds to their best use. Enjoy a few easy apple recipes with sweet flavors. Apple Cider Donut Muffins Old…
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A Guide To Starting a Fall Garden
Most gardeners turn in for the autumn and winter months as a break from the work of a long summer garden. They wait until spring to start up again. That has been my pattern over the last several years. By the time the last tomato has been picked and preserved, I am ready for a break. I saw the fall season as a new opportunity. The weather is cool and pleasant, most days, and what is a better time to be outside enjoying the season. Each fall I would get out my clipboard and start planning my garden for the spring. Reviewing what was planted and rethinking next year planting…
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Simple and Easy Ways to Freeze Your Garden Harvest
Stock your freezer with your vegetables and fruits you have harvested. Freezing is a good alternative to canning if time is limited. I have done both. When I had a houseful of kids, freezing was my preferred method of preserving my harvest. HOW COLD IS FREEZING COLD Freezer temperatures vary, so they should be below 0 F to assure to inactivate bacteria. You want to retain vitamin content and quality as well. Careful attention to how frequent the freezer is opened is important. The temperature can rise and be several degrees higher therefore using the back of the freezer is best. The less the freezer is opened the better. FREEZER…
Home Grown is Best
