The High Price of Gardening

             I'm not rich by any means other than being blessed with a wonderful life, and I am budget conscious so to see the price hike in bedding plants this year is just shocking to me! I'm not going to pay $3.50 for one tomato plant when I can buy a whole seed pack for less than a dollar, make sense to you? Gardeners are getting lazy and catering to the idea that bigger is better, when patience pays off in the end, just not as fast.
I'm afraid for the gardening industry if things don't change, we the gardeners need to practice the old ways of seed saving, sharing and organic farming, even in own little backyards. We make a difference in everything we do!

     I paid a price to weed my flower beds last night, I lost my diamond out of my wedding ring! There's no telling where it went too or when it fell out, so looking for it was a waste of time, but I hoped it was in my work glove, no such luck. I'm heartbroken. We will try to have it replaced but it won't be the same. That diamond was my one and only real stone of perfection, does it lessen the union it stood for, NO.  It just had 18 years of memories to shine over! The ring catches on everything now, reminding me the stone is lost, but our love is not! We do get attached to symbols of our life, don't we. A ring is just a circle of precious metal holding a stone of perfection, no wonder it's a symbol for the union of two hearts.

    My flower bed means even more to me now, it knows the sweat and tears of my labor, love and life! My "rock" will shine forever, a diamond in the ruff! The high price of gardening took on a whole new meaning! Happy gardening and save those seeds!

Tasty Tuesday

Jam Crumb Cake

• 1-1/2  cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2  tsp. baking powder
• 1/4  tsp. baking soda
• 1/8  tsp. salt
• 1/3  cup butter, softened
• 3/4  cup granulated sugar
• 1  egg
• 1/2  cup dairy sour cream
• 1  tsp. vanilla
• 1  10-oz. jar strawberry or seedless raspberry spreadable fruit

1. Grease a 9x9x2-inch baking pan; set aside. Mix together the Crumb Topping; set aside. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar; beat until well combined. Add egg, sour cream and vanilla and beat until mixture is smooth. Beat in flour mixture just until combined. (Batter will be thick).

3. Spread the batter into prepared pan. Spoon spreadable fruit over batter, spreading evenly. Sprinkle Crumb Topping over all.

4. Bake in a 350 degree F oven 40 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm. Makes 9 servings.

5. Crumb Topping: In a bowl, mix 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Stir in 1/2 cup melted butter.

                                                                          

     Now, that I've tempted you with the yummy photo and recipe, maybe you won't be too disappointed that this weeks Tasty Tuesday post is all about something sweet to eat?  I'm sorry if you are but gee, I can't imagine anyone being upset over  dessert?  I love this jam crumb cake for a few reasons; it's easy, you can use any kind of jam for a change and it could also be a nice brunch dish and with Mother's Day coming soon, wouldn't  this make a nice breakfast for Mom?  In my hunt for recipes, I'm preying on easy and tote-able since I bake for our Sunday School class, and this jam cake will be ideal for so many reasons!  Mix it up and use real fruit, or better yet, chocolate chips? 

      I'm in the baking mood is another reason why I posted this, it's cold and windy here and those conditions always urge me to bake, so I use these moods to practice on recipes that I've collected. This one is a winner making it a tasty Tuesday at my house! Enjoy!

Let's Talk Dirt!

       Now, if your a gardener, you love dirt, and if your a serious gardener, you really love a good dirt! One way to get it plus be green about it, is through composting.  Not a new idea but one that has been around forever and labeled as new age among other oddities, but if you think about it and are a conscious care taker of the land, composting only makes good sense!  And it makes great soil which in the end, makes great plants and produce.

     We've been composting for over a decade now, we craft our homemade bins out of whatever we can find, very cheap and were recycling too. Pallets work great to make a fenced in area that is easy to turn or you can go the easy way and purchase the big black trash cans. That is what we are using now, since we had a couple extra hanging around. We just emptied them last night for a new strawberry bed. After 10 months of collecting scraps and not even turning it, we had 2 bins of black gold, the prettiest soil you've ever seen, and full of worms, a good sign that if it's good enough for them, you've got some good soil! I was thrilled!

      Now, our pile doesn't look like the one above, this one belongs to a county landfill that gives it away to their residents, so that maybe a option for you to check into. When the compost pile gets steamy like above, it's cooking, a natural process of allowing the heat to escape. So, if you'd like to make your own, there are tons of great information on sites, just for you to google. One that I like is How to Compost, it's full of great ideas and photos for your dirty mind to wander through! Sorry, I couldn't resist! But, seriously, composting is free, easy and so much better for your land. Give it a try if your curious and before you know it, the whole family will get into the recycle the scraps compaign! It's the only dirty talk allowed in my house! lol

Happy Earth Day! ♥

             Everyday is earth to me so I don't need a marked day to celebrate but I'll take it! It's finally raining here today, so it's the perfect gift for our planet on this special day, and I'm just delighted! Our potatoes are up and growing good without a lick of water, just amazes me! My garden is happy for the rain and so am I!
     And I'm about to make one of the 18 who entered in my Earth Day giveaway a happy camper today, wish I had enough books to send to all of you but I'm not rich in that way! On to the winner, random.org picked #5 and that belongs to Cathrine of Cathrine's Vintage Style and Linens! Congrats to you girl, just send me your mailing info. so I can get the book to you.  I've been following Cathrine for about a year or so, ever since I learned that she's from the same desert I am, kinda sorta? She lives in Ariz., and I grew in Nevada so it's close enough! But, I love the desert photos she shares and I can't forget about all her vintage linens. Pay her a visit soon, she's down to earth and would love the company!
       I'm thinking it's a good day to make some soup for supper, a new recipe too. And, I've got a big giveaway in mind when my followers hit 300, just 2 more to go and I'm thrilled to know that I'm not that boring! lol  I just love sharing what I love, know and learn with you all. So, stay tuned for that and please don't follow me just for the giveaway, I don't want the numbers if your not interested in my blog as a favorite. Ok, I"m off to play in the kitchen and whip up some soup, so enjoy your day and keep a eye out when I hit 300!

Tasty Tuesday

       

              I'm enjoying a blissful day at home today, got the house cleaned, free of pollen for the time being anyways! Got out in the sunshine to water a bit since we haven't had any rain in weeks, and waiting patiently to set out my tomatoes.  Our weather has been so off,  above normal one week then below the next so I've put it off and glad I did, it was 39 last night. 

    Among my blissful duties today, was to use up a pint of strawberries before they go bad, and I wanted to make something new with them, since it's been awhile since I've baked with them. I remembered seeing a recipe for strawberry bread on a blog, but never took note of it, I wish I would of, so I did the next best thing and googled it! Found many, but this one won a recipe contest, so it has to be good, right? 

Strawberry Bread

              

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, or margarine, cut into pieces, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup crushed strawberries or 1 package (10 ounces) frozen strawberries, thawed and drained on a double thickness of paper towels
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray or grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan or a mini loaf pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the butter, sugar and almond extract until light, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the flour mixture alternately with the crushed strawberries.

Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the top with the sliced almonds. Bake in the center of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes (50 to 55 minutes for mini loaves), or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool the bread in the pan for 5 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack and turn right side up to cool completely.

      So, not only do I have a yummy dessert for tonight, but also a nice, light breakfast or lunch box snack for hubby. I hope your'e enjoying your very own blissful day, I love my time at home! And just a few more days till my Earth Day giveaway, so get your post in if you'd like a chance to win that book! Happy baking bloggers!

             Here's a sweet deal of a giveaway for you, and if you remember my barn photo that was painted into a window painting, this is the artist. Photos by Tammy is celebrating her 700th post and has kindly painted this peaceful image to give away, all you have to do is leave a comment on HER blog for your chance to win this sea side piece of art! And check out her Etsy shop while your at her blog, along with her wonderful photos. Thanks Tammy for offering my readers a chance to win one of your lovely paintings! Good luck to you all!

Sold on Makeover!

             Remember a few months ago when we were helping my youngest son re-do his house in time for his fiance's first visit and his deadline to get it on the market? Now, don't feel bad if you don't, it's taken me long enough to get the before shots from my son and take some after shots too, but here they are, for those who have asked.
    
      I had a blast helping out, a good way to pass the winter away too, and he likes everything so much, he's changed his mind about selling and once married, will live here for a few years before building their first home.  When Tyler bought this little house, it was a mess but he wanted a fixer upper and welcomed the challenge, all those times he watched HGTV with me, paid off, he has a good eye for color and even liked my idea of painting the fireplace brown, so much, he went further and painted one long wall in the living room brown too, which lead to painting the bedroom doors brown along with the beams, which really ties everything together. At first thought, I was afraid the dark brown would make the room too dark and cave like, but it really doesn't and fits a single man perfectly, but his bride to me likes it too and once she moves in and decorates, it will feel real warm and cozy.

       The biggest improvement is the kitchen, not a nice place to be before but after a new wood floor, paint and added shelving, it's beginning to look and feel like a kitchen should. The walls are bare, windows just blinded but oh such a improvement, don't you think? We also painted the bathroom but it's too small to get a good shot, don't you just love those little houses....something will have to be done after they are married, maybe make it bigger somehow. Until then, it's going to make a nice starter home for the two of them, a place to practice till they build their real first home! 

Tasty Tuesday

      I know, I"m stuck on desserts here, but they have always been a weakness of mine, and I love making them, and just for the records, I bake and rarely eat it so I guess that's a good thing? Chocolate on the other hand, is my guilty pleasure, only because I tend to over do it, esp. when it's dark chocolate, but hey, that's good for you, right? And who doesn't love a good carrot cake, and this one is extra good, made into a chocolate carrot cake.....I'm in love!

Chocolate Carrot Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup baking cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 eggs
• 1-1/4 cups canola oil
• 3 cups finely shredded carrots
• 
  FROSTING:
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup baking cocoa
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

• Line two 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper; grease the paper and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Add the eggs, oil and carrots; beat until combined. Pour into prepared pans.
• Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
• For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Beat in the confectioners' sugar, cocoa and vanilla until smooth.
• Place bottom layer on a serving plate; top with half of the frosting. Repeat with remaining cake layer. Sprinkle with nuts and chocolate chips.  12-16 servings.

     So, file this away for the next time you need a special dessert, but treat yourself and family by making a practice cake, and think a little healthy here!  If you haven't got in on my Earth Day giveaway yet, you still have a week to do so. Just scroll down to that post and leave me a comment, a neat little book is the prize, full of green cleaning tips and recipes! Good luck and enjoy this cake, I know I will be!

    

Productive Pains

            My body doesn't work like it used too, but it held up over the weekend that kept us busy outside. I don't mind the aches and pains if I'm feeling productive and by glancing at my yard and my garden in the infant stage, we had a very productive weekend. I love a fresh mowed lawn, and with over a acre to mow and weed eat, it's a feat in it's self. I'm so thankful that is my hubbies chore. Now, it will be a weekly happening but the reward is so great! The old apple tree got pruned, my peppers are in and all the flower beds are weeded, that's my chore! lol  Plus, were restoring a old swing set that was my daughter in loves as a child, so now the grandkids will have something to play on while here.  I love being productive!

     I found this adorable idea for a little fence from another blog, sorry I can't remember who's, I was in a hurry. But I thought it was so cute and cleaver....and a good reason to go hunting for old plates! This is on the famous "to do list" that seems to be growing!
 
      Have you seen the humming birds yet? A blog buddy in Arkansas has, Hi Lea! So, I wanted to share a great link so you can find out when they are to return to your area.  Hummingbirds.net has a map to show you when and where, now for my area so I will be getting a couple of feeders out today!

Positive Pays Off

        I'm a pretty positive person, my glass is always half full and I make time each day to be grateful for what I have and I try not to reflect on what I don't have.  I am blessed!  I got to thinking about all the resoultions that I made just 3 months ago and was wondering how your doing with yours? I did start my Happiness Project, I jot down what makes me happy each day, and once I get the book ( it's on my wish list) I will catch up with the planned projects but till then, I"m happy to journal all the little and big things that make my days happy and content. I must say, it does make a difference when you are keeping track, I love the positive energy I get from it.

     I also love the positive feedback I get from it, meaning if you think positive and believe positive things will happen, they will.  And I have proof. In the last 2 weeks, I have won 3 vintage apron patterns from Ebay, won a signed copy of The Pioneer Woman Cooks", been gifted flowers by friends, won a 2GB memory card for $5 with free shipping from Ebay, and the icing on this cake......got a new camera with free shipping. I'm in the big leagues now, shooting with a Canon Power Shot  SX20IS  12.1 MP. I had enough credit from Dell after getting my new computer last fall to upgrade after my point and shoot died. Call it luck if you wish, but I will continue to think my good fortune is a result from celebrating the positive side of life!

    The photo above was taken with my new camera, it's also been entered in a photo contest, so wish me luck. I've started a camera club on Facebook called Sure Shots, if your interested in joining the fun, look us up! Were learning together and sharing a monthly challenge shot, there's still time to get in on the April challenge, spring. We'd love to have you!

    So, please do tell how your doing on your list for 2010. I'm walking a mile a day since it warmed up. I'm trying to be more creative, does snapping shots count? Life is short, make the most of it and stay positive, it does pay off! 

Tasty Tuesday

          Not only is this Tasty Tuesday but it's a HAPPY  Tuesday as well! Last week I won a signed copy of The Pioneer Woman Cooks from a sweet blog titled "Luv StrawberryCake" Sheila from there LOVES The Pioneer Woman so much, after buying her book, she began a quest to make EVERY recipe in that book, she just finished up last week, and to celebrate this fun task, she gave away 2 signed copies and I won one! I'm so excited and even more so when it arrived yesterday, as this has been on my want list since it came out and now I own a signed copy! So, to celebrate my good fortune, I'd like to share a recipe from this book that will be one of the first ones I try. Now, if you remember, you know I posted another of Ree's recipes here not too long ago. Her Chicken Speghetti is now one of our favorites so I know the rest of her recipes sure will be!

    Cobbler season will be before we know it and I thought a good, honest recipe for this summer dessert is a must, so be sure to print this one out and don't tuck it away too far, fresh fruits will be available soon!

Patsy's Blackberry Cobbler

1/4  pound (1 stick) butter, melted
1 1/4 c. plus 2 Tbsp. sugar
1 c. self rising flour
1 c. milk
2 c. fresh or frozen blackberries (or blueberries, peaches, so on)

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 3 qt. baking dish with butter. Place the stick of butter in a microwave bowl and heat for 30-45 min. till melted.  In a med. bowl, whisk 1 c. of the sugar with the flour and milk. Whisk in melted butter. Rinse berries and pat dry. Pour batter into the baking dish. Sprinkle the berries evenly over the batter. Sprinkle 1/4 c. sugar over the blackberries. Bake for 1 hour or till golden brown and bubbly. When 10 min. of the baking time remains, sprinkle the remaining 2 Tbsp. sugar over the top. Serve warm.

    This is a wonderful book, not just a cookbook but a book of great talents, not only with food but photography as well. I've been following The Pioneer Woman for a few years now and she never disappoints, I've learned to cook and bake better and she's taught me how to capture the best of my shots! Thanks again Shelia for my new cookbook, I may have won it, but Ree has won me over, all over again! Enjoy!

Garden Beds

        The tiller has been busy preparing a new garden spot for the family to plant and dreams of fresh produce  always tempt us to plant more than we need or can take care of.  It's ok to think small and these straw bale beds are perfect for a small family with a small yard or little acreage. We have 2 acres and I'm thinking these beds would make our gardening season alot easier plus you can compost the whole thing once the straw bales rot, I love that idea!

     I got my garlic bed in and once the wind moves on, will get my peppers out. The wind has been so hard all week, just whipping everything around and the temps. have been above normal but the trees are budding, flowers blooming and bugs buzzing so I think it's safe to say spring is here in full force! Don't forget my Earth Day giveaway below, it's been a pleasure reading how you all help keep our planet green, thank you!

Happy Easter

             Happy Easter ! ♥ Blessings to all and to all.........know the reason, share the love and pray for peace.