I have always loved herbs. When I was growing up, we used herbs in everyday cooking in our traditional Lebanese household. Mom grew her herbs in a big, black iron wash kettle outside by the back door steps. The scents of basil, thyme, marjoram and mint were familiar aromas in her tiny suburban kitchen. That same black iron kettle stands in the center of my … Continue reading Time to Preserve Herbs for Winter
There are so many chores outside this time of year on our little patch of heaven: readying the gardens for the planting of produce and herbs, caring for our little flock of chickens, mowing grass on a regular basis and hanging clothes out on the line, weather permitting. I honestly love the busyness of spring and the good appetites that come with it. What doesn’t … Continue reading Speed Scratch Stuffed Bells
I’ve been hungry lately for a real substantial salad. Not the ones like we’ve been eating all summer with light textured greens, tomatoes, cucumbers and the like with a simple garlic lemon dressing. What made my tummy happy was a salad with crisp dark greens, apples or pears, toasted nuts, a few pumpkin seeds, bacon, cheese and dried fruit. How does that sound to you? … Continue reading Apple Cider Vinegar Salad Dressing for Fall Salads
We’re so proud of our neighbor, Noah, who won first place in her 4H group in the garden vegetable category for her home grown hard neck garlic. Noah now gets to go to the Ohio State fair and compete there! The other day Noah brought me a sample of her tomato basil mozzarella salad. She used her garlic in the salad and boy was it … Continue reading Neighbor Noah and Her First Place Garlic
What to make for meals in the summer here on my little patch of heaven depends a lot on what needs tended to and harvested in the veggie and herb gardens. Today that means slender zucchini, grape tomatoes and chard from the vegetable garden. Dill, chives and parsley from the herb garden. I didn’t have to think real hard about how to use both … Continue reading A Repeat of Success
From friend and colleague, Ron Wilson. Check out all his garden tips on ronwilsononline.com “Hibiscus” Hopefully when you read this you asked the same question I do; “What type of hibiscus?” You see, there are 3 types of hibiscus we plant here, all of which have great flowers; all of which very distinct growing differences! We have your tropical hibiscus, which is not hardy for … Continue reading Hibiscus: A Lovely Edible
When we were kids way back in the 50’s, Earth Day as a celebration was not yet in existence. But Arbor/Tree Planting Day was. During the last week in April, neighborhood schools distributed tiny redbud saplings, small enough to carry home wrapped in wet newspaper. At our home, Dad planted those tiny specimens in the side yard, and they thrived. Red bud trees are still … Continue reading SALAD GARDENS FOR EARTH DAY
Yesterday in the chicken coop were some unwelcome visitors: yellow jackets feasting on what was left of some watermelon I had given the “girls”. Now a few months ago (May 2020), colleague and entomologist Joe Boggs of Ohio State Extension shared a bunch of good information on all kinds of hornets, starting with the Asian giant hornet. Then he shared wisdom on wasps and, yes, … Continue reading Hornets, Wasps and Yellow Jackets, Oh My!
