April 2, 2012

B is for Brussel Sprouts

B is for Brussel Sprouts.  Aack!  Spit!  Gag! Puke!

“Are you kidding me?  I’d rather have a cuke!”

I know you may not believe this for neither did I, until I learned the secret of how, and when, to buy.

Brussel sprouts are delicious, steamed, with a little sea salt and olive oil.  And they’re super nutritious, but please don’t allow them to boil!

Now you’ll think I’m a trickster, a swindler, a fool.  But I’m telling the truth, for I hated ’em in school.

And it wasn’t just there, it was at home on the table.  No matter how I tried, I couldn’t eat ’em, wasn’t able.

The were mushy and bitter and caused instant gag reflexes.  I was sure it was punishment.  “I’m moving to Texas.”

So many years later while talking to Mom, she convinced me to try ’em.  “They’re awesome!  They’re the bomb!”

So what’s different now than so many years ago?  Frost is the key.  If they’re not purple, let ’em go!

What?  You might ask.  But brussel sprouts are green!  Are these a special kind? No they’re not.  You will see.

As the warm weather fades and cause night temps to fall, the brussel sprouts will be standing nearly three feet tall.

And so at this point, Jack Frost will also visit, six or seven times and the purple he’ll bring with it.

He will leave slight tinges on the tips of the leaves, signaling to us that it’s time, but only if you perceive.

This purple, this color, is a sign from above that the starch is now sweet and sprouts you will love!

So save a row, or a corner, in your garden bed.  And if you can’t, or you won’t, then hit the Farmer’s Market instead.

Just remember, don’t forget.  Grab ’em purple, not green.  And if you try ’em, when they’re fresh, you will like ’em you will see!

Kate

Posted in Healthy Eating, Veggie Garden | 12 Comments »

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April 1, 2012

A is for April

A is for April.  April 1 to be exact.  While others may be joking I bring you a fact.

On April 1 there’s something important to be done, in the garden that is, and it can be quite fun.

So don your gloves, sharpen your shears and protect your fingers or I fear these things we call grasses will have you in tears.

See today is the day or around this day near, that you must cut your grasses, the ornamentals, my dear.

For now is the time that they begin to grow and we must cut them back because these you can’t mow.

Grab some twine and wrap it tight, then with all of your might, take your loppers or your trimmers or your sharpest garden shears and cut them all down to six inches or near.

You must do it now, you must do it soon, for if you don’t, your grasses will look much like a goon.

When you’re done, please don’t waste, that’s good stuff for your compost.  (Or your pathways or your mulch pile or an alternate host.)

So get out there!  Go to it!  Get them cut!  Then relax.  Because this season is just beginning, it’s one of the last times to kick back.

Kate

 

Posted in Ornamental Grasses, Perennials | 4 Comments »

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March 31, 2012

Hungry For Change

If you have time, right now, within the next 45 minutes and are interested in changing the way you eat.  Please watch the free premier (March 21 – March 31, 2012) of Hungry For Change by following this link: Hungry For Change.

My apologies for the extremely short notice.  It was forwarded to me earlier in the week, but I just had the opportunity to watch it tonight.  Definitely a good watch for adults and children alike.

Kate

Posted in Healthy Eating, Healthy Living | Leave a Comment »

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March 31, 2012

Seuss anyone?

As I think about the challenge beginning tomorrow, there’s something about the theme that makes my brows furrow.

“What is it” I think to myself as I ponder, “about the alphabet that makes my mind wander?”  I’ve started to think of the world around me as prose, “Could I use you as the alphabet?  Subject matter?  Who knows!”

I know this sounds silly to some, even me, but there’s something about thinking of things as “A, B and C”.  It brings me back to my childhood.  That’s for sure.  It gets my mind playing and rhyming.  Immature?

But then I think to myself, “What’s the matter?  Seuss made it fun.  Why not you?  Cut the chatter.”

So perhaps you’ll see a little Seuss-type of rhyming, about gardens and cooking or perhaps just on timing.

I’ll apologize now to those who find it annoying, for the rest of us, know I’ll be playing or just toying.

I’ll use the next month to experiment with prose and with pictures and recipes and more I suppose.

So bear with me these next twenty-six days as we go, whether you’re hating or enjoying, I hope you sift through, to find something of value whether it’s old or it’s new.

I may not be Seuss and I may not be M. Stewart but the good things I’ll bring will have substance to it.

So for now, until later, I bid you ado.  Have a pleasant afternoon and evening too.

For tomorrow it begins, and I must not be late, for A happens only once on April Fools Day.  Is it fate?

Kate

Posted in Laughing at Life | 2 Comments »

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