A commonly asked question from readers of my blog is “how to keep squirrels from digging up bulbs in my garden?” Since fall is bulb-planting time for daffodils, crocuses, and tulips, the question is posed even more often right now. If you spend much time in the garden, you will likely have had a run-in…
One of my mother’s time-honored traditions was to serve a pumpkin cake each year, for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, with her special toasted coconut frosting. She is not with us now, but that does not mean the cake will be missing! My whole family takes turns making the cake for our Thanksgiving celebration. The pumpkin…
If you are traveling with children and looking for things to do in Kansas, be sure to put Botanica, The Wichita Gardens on your list of things to do. Nestled in the heart of Wichita is one of the best kept secrets in Kansas. This stunning attraction is a botanical garden that is beautiful in…
If you are a gardener on the road and looking for things to do in Wyoming, one of your most often searched terms is likely to be “botanic gardens near me.” Luckily for you, Cheyenne Botanic Gardens will be a search result worth exploring. My husband and I are spending a few weeks visiting botanical…
This steak recipe with a Cuban mojo marinade combines spices with orange juice, olive oil and grill mates seasoning for an easy and spicy main course dish. I love the sweet, tangy and savory flavors. It makes grill night or a camping trip meal something special. We grill every Saturday’s night at our house. My…
Looking for things to do in Idaho? If you have an interest in drought tolerant plants, desert gardens and plants for a pollinator garden, be sure to include a visit to Orton Botanical Garden in Twin Falls, Idaho to your itinerary. Also known as Plantasia Cactus Gardens, this five acre garden is beautifully planted with native…
This Montreal steak seasoning recipe has a sweet and spicy rub made from Grill Mates that is sure to delight your friends. Even better, it is simple and easy to prepare. Team the recipe with grilled corn in their husks and you have a crowd pleasing meal. At our house we grill every Saturday night….
This recipe for watermelon lemonade with raspberries takes ordinary lemonade to a whole new level. It is a refreshing and hydrating drink that the kids will love – without the alcohol, of course. Summer time…and the drinking is easy with fruit-flavored cocktail recipes. My take on an old tune! I am a great fan of lemonade. I…
If you are a gardener and are looking for things to do in Montana, be sure to add Tizer Botanic Garden & Arboretum to your trip itinerary. Located in the heart of the Elkhorn Mountains, in Jefferson City, Montana, is a delightful botanic garden with a whimsical feel. The garden is situated on 6 acres…
The Memphis Botanic Garden in Memphis, Tennessee gives visitors a chance to connect with nature in a relaxing and enjoyable way. Sculptures, plants and water all coordinate beautifully in this lovely botanical garden. The botanic garden offers lush walking trails with plenty of tall trees to shade visitors from the hot summer sun. The garden…
If you are in the Southeast California area, be sure to add this list of things to do in Sequoia National Park to your must-see attractions. Sequoia National Park is home to giant sequoia trees, and along with King’s Canyon National Park, is a vast designated wilderness comprising over 800,000 acres. The drive through Sequoia National…
This crostini appetizer recipe is simple to make. The delicate asparagus spears and distinct flavors of prosciutto and Gouda cheese will make your guests think you spent hours in the kitchen making them. The appetizers are the perfect choice for an easy drinks night. Are you having friends over for drinks any time soon? The right appetizer…
Are your tomatoes not turning red? Don’t worry, below are 12 tips for how to ripen tomatoes on the vine. Most tomatoes will start turning red about 6-8 weeks after their flowers have been pollinated. If your tomatoes won’t ripen, it could be due to a variety of factors. Green tomatoes can be the result of…
Does your vegetable garden have more unripe tomatoes than you can use in salads? Are you wondering what to do with unripe tomatoes? Try using some of the green ones for this fried green tomatoes recipe. This delicious side dish makes a nice change from raw tomatoes and is very, very tasty. There is nothing…
Crassula Ovata ‘Hobbit’ is a small shrubby tender succulent that is popular with followers of J.R.R. Tolkien. because of the shape of its leaves. Grow the Hobbit Jade plant if you enjoy succulents with an unusual look. Crassula are a genus of succulents that are often seen at garden centers. They come in many forms…
Do you have plants in your garden that love to climb? English cottage gardens often do, and a wooden garden obelisk (or tuteur) is a structure that gives them room to roam. You can buy these structures, but the cost is prohibitive. $70 is the cheapest one that I have seen and they can run…
This frozen strawberry daiquiri recipe is super tasty and could not be easier to make. If you have a blender and the supplies, the cocktail is ready in just minutes. To make this drink easy to prepare, the daiquiri recipe features a mix – “Island Oasis Strawberry” – and this gets combined with crushed ice…
This visual guide to herb identification makes identifying herbs a snap. How well do you know the names of the fresh herbs? Many herbs look quite similar, so it’s easy to be confused. Do you often ask yourself – “What herb is this?” I can’t tell you how many times I have come back from…
This homemade pasta sauce is made with both pork and beef for a meaty spaghetti sauce that your family will ask for again and again. It is the ultimate topping for recipe including pasta. This is a recipe that has been a favorite with my family for one reason – it tastes amazing! I have…
Onions are a vegetable that I use almost every day in recipes. Growing onions at home is easy, as long as you have a sunny garden spot and a patient nature. Onions are a cool weather crop. Get started early on your planting and you will be enjoying fresh onion bulbs by the middle 0f…
Bay Leaf plants are slow growing trees with leaves that are used as seasoning in cooking. It is also known as bay laurel, sweet bay and simply laurel. If you enjoy growing herbs, this is a great one to try, since it has a very aromatic flavor. Bay leaf plants are a member of the…
This creamy shrimp pasta with broccoli has a velvety parmesan cheese sauce that is light but still comforting. It is full of flavor and easy to put together. The dish is colorful to look at and only takes about 15 minutes to get it on the table. Combining shrimp with pasta gives a lovely delicate…
Growing tulips is a treat for gardeners who love a big splash of color in the spring. No plant ushers in the start of warm weather in a more dramatic way than tulips, so it is worth going the extra mile to have them growing in your garden. Tulips, native to Turkey and then imported…
My version of a healthy granola is packed with flavor, uses whole grains and nuts and is naturally sweetened to make it better for you. Normal store bought granola is delicious and a great breakfast recipe, but is often filled with fat and high in calories. Top this healthier granola with your favorite soy or…
This curried carrot soup makes a wonderful and luxurious starter to a healthy meal. The recipe uses tofu, onions and vegetable broth and is very easy to make. I’ve recently adopted a vegan diet along with my daughter Jess. The original recipe for carrot soup had lots of butter and cream, so we had to…
Covering drainage holes in pots is a necessary evil. Without something to cover the hole in the bottom of your planter, the soil will eventually wash out of the pot through the hole in the planter and the plant will settle. This also means that your furniture will take a beating. Planters without drainage holes…