Swiss chard is one of the easiest and most versatile of vegetables for home gardens. Its colorful stems and big, crinkly leaves are packed full of nutrients. Read on for tips on growing Swiss chard. What is Swiss Chard? Swiss Chard – beta vulgaris subsp. vulgarisis a leafy vegetable in the beet family, but it …

If you enjoy walking trails that immerse you in a tranquil lake scene, with 113-acres of lovely themed gardens, the Springfield Botanical Gardens are for you. My husband and I spend the summer touring and writing about botanical gardens around the country.  We recently spent some time in Missouri and discovered this little gem of …

The flavor dried dill just can’t compete with that of the fresh herb. Let’s check out some tips for growing dill. Fresh dill is a very popular kitchen herb. It is highly aromatic and really easy to grow. Fresh herbs are something that I grow year round, both indoors and outside, either in pots or …

This giant hosta variety is called Blue Angel Hosta. This plantain lily is one of the larger mounding varieties that is perfectly happy in the shade. A recent trip around the JR Raulston Arboretum provided me with a chance to look at their magnificent collection of hostas. I have a large collection of hostas in …

Tarragon is a perennial herb with an anise-licorice flavor that is often used in French cuisine. Follow these tips for growing tarragon in your kitchen herb garden. This herb comes in several varieties, depending on the region that it is grown. I find French tarragon the hardest to find for sale. It is worth sourcing …

If ants are invading your home and you don’t want to use retail products, home made Borax Ant Killers may be the answer, but how effective are they? I decided to test five of them to find out! Using more organic ant killer remedies is something that many environmentally conscious homemakers have an interest in. …

Would you like tips for attracting monarch butterflies to your yard this year?  I’ve been seeing them in my garden for a few weeks now. The first Saturday in May is marked as National Start Seeing Monarchs Day. What an appropriate national day for this time of the year!  This day was chosen to raise …

There are many vegetable garden problems that can plague the average gardener. Fortunately, there are also easy solutions to those problems.  Not everything about vegetable gardening turns out as expected.  Whether you choose to garden in raised beds or in the round, troubleshoot your vegetable garden with these easy tips to get a bumper harvest …

Do you have a problem with squirrels?  If so, these natural squirrel repellent ideas may prove useful to you. Dealing with squirrels has been an ongoing problem for me in one way or another for several years.  If you read my blog often, you may remember reading about the squirrels in my vegetable garden a few …

This recipe for DIY disinfectant wipes is easy to make and great for all-purpose cleaning. These easy-to-make cleaning wipes are so much cheaper than store-bought ones and can be made at home in about 10 minutes with just a few supplies. They offer great convenience, as well as having both disinfectant properties and the ability …

We love to camp at our house, but sometimes it’s hard to find the time to get away for a real camping weekend or the weather just won’t allow it. For times like this, the kids can still have a lot of fun by having an indoor camping party.   Are your kids feeling cooped up …

Are you feeling down right now? These inspirational quotes about hope will help to lift your mood and make you more optimistic about the future. Quotes are a great way to change a down mood into one that is more uplifted. Use them to make your own personalized greeting cards. to share with your friends …

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens has something special in store for both animal lovers and those interested in botanical gardens. This 135 acre zoo and botanical garden was founded in 1966 and is home to more than 1,400 birds, amphibians, mammals and reptiles.  Comfortable shoes are a must, since there is a lot …

If you are passing through San Angelo, Texas, be sure and fit in a visit to the International Waterlily Collection. You will get a chance to view the premiere collection of waterlilies found anywhere in existence. Water lily, from the family Nymphaeaceae, comprise 58 species of freshwater flowering plants, native to the temperate and tropical …

Caring for echeveria is a task made for those gardeners with brown thumbs – they are that easy to grow! These rosette forming succulents have spectacular flowers that would make you think they need a lot of special care, but these plants actually thrive on a bit of neglect. If you love succulents as much …

Vertical gardens make more use of available space by growing vegetables, flowers, and herbs up a wall instead of taking up lots of growing space on the ground. I speak to people all the time who admire my large yard and gardens, but say, “I don’t have the room to do this.” While a large …

Looking for things to do in Albuquerque, New Mexico?  A day out at the Albuquerque Aquarium is sure to delight. It is part of the ABQ BioPark system. The Albuquerque Aquarium  exhibits saltwater species from a variety of habitats in the Gulf of Mexico and South Pacific.  One of the nice aspects of the entry …

This colorful Healthy Antipasto Salad Recipe is super easy to make and sure to keep you full for hours. It’s made with Italian meats, Provolone cheese, and veggies tossed in a vinaigrette dressing – it’s truly amazing. And best of all – this is my healthy version. You can serve this Italian antipasto salad recipe …

Nature and history buffs have a chance to merge by visiting the Oklahoma City Riverwalk area.  This long, leisurely walk combines nature and water views with sculptures of the Centennial Land Run Monument. Seeing statues which depict real people is something that I enjoy visiting when we travel.  (See the Elizabethan Statues of Roanoke for …

The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine. have a children’s garden that is one of the best I have seen. Botanical Gardens vary greatly from one place to another, but each seems to have its own special theme. My husband and I tour the country, in the summer months, visiting garden centers around the …

These Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies have a crunchy outer layer of dark chocolate (cocoa) with a filling of smooth peanut butter. It’s Meatless Monday, and we are having Thai peanut stir fry with brown rice tonight. My husband is always in the mood for something sweet after dinner. These vegan cookies are the perfect …

If you like the idea of a plant that flowers in winter while there is still snow on the ground, try Growing Hellebores. Lenten Rose is another name for helleborus. The blooms come in lots of different shades and shapes. I first heard of Hellebores perennial several years ago when I spent a season trying …

This Vegan lasagne is full of flavor and heart-healthy vegetables without all of the fat and cholesterol that a normal lasagna contains. At only 300 calories per serving, it is also easy on the waistline. Deciding to adopt a vegan style of eating comes with its challenges. Many of the traditional “comfort food” dishes contain …

When the new year comes to an end, I like to focus on my goals for the year.   I find that I have the most success when I keep health and wellness goals at the forefront of my mind all year round. If you have been reading my blog lately, you will know that …

My all-time favorite Christmas treat is a chocolate-covered cherry cordial. Each year, this is something that my husband buys me for my stocking, and he knows that I’ll be thanking “Santa” for these bonbons. January 3 is celebrated each year as National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day. Let’s find out how to make them at home! …

It’s that time of the year.  Pumpkins, Indian Corn and autumn plants all help to make this front porch decor for fall a hit with visitors! Each year, I use supplies from the previous porch but mix them up a bit to make my fall front porch decor a little extra special. This year, I …