Mother’s Day is right around the corner. This easy DIY kitchen gift basket makes the perfect personalized gift for anyone’s mother who loves to cook. It is filled with fun, whimsical, and useful kitchen items made even more special because it includes items geared to your mother’s tastes. This easy cooking gift basket makes the …
This Dark Russian Kahlua cocktail combines the taste of a Black Russian with vodka, chocolate milk, and cream for a great-tasting drink. Here is another of my favorite Kahlua cocktail recipes. I’m not a coffee drinker but the smoothness of Kahlua is a great taste sensation and this flavor has totally won me over. If …
Are you looking for a drink that takes you to the tropics with each sip? Try my Cuban Breeze cocktail! This refreshing drink combines the richness of Amaretto with the crispness of vodka and the sweetness of pineapple juice. It also offers a delightful hint of almonds, transporting you straight to the Caribbean. There is …
Hydrangeas are the rockstars of summer gardens, but with uncontrolled growth, these perennials can become unruly. Knowing when to prune hydrangeas is important if you wish to maximize your blooms each season. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for when to prune this summer shrub. However, if you know what type of hydrangea you are …
This DIY seed starting mix is a cost-effective way to provide your spring garden seeds with the ideal environment for germination and early growth, and ensure they develop into healthy, thriving plants. Starting seeds indoors is a rewarding way to get a head start with plants that will be ready to transplant later this spring …
As the heat of summer approaches, many vegetable gardeners face a familiar problem – tomato sunscald. This phenomenon, caused by too much sunlight and made worse by improper pruning practices, can pose a significant threat to your tomato yields. Tomato plants love sunlight, but sometimes it can be a case of “too much of a …
Tomato blossom drop is a problem that many vegetable gardeners experience, particularly those in hot climates. If fact, a common question that I get from my readers in the warmer states is “Why is my tomato plant dropping its flowers?” You’ve nurtured your tomato plants with care, eagerly expecting to get a harvest of luscious, …
Spathiphyllum (AKA peace lilies) with their elegant white blooms and lush foliage, are beautiful additions to any indoor space. Peace lily care indoors is relatively straightforward, making them a popular choice for homes and offices alike. These low-maintenance plants thrive in the home, even in low-light conditions. Their pristine white flowers, which resemble delicate trumpets …
Today, let’s explore a variety of creative ways to make use of cooked rice in some of my favorite leftover rice recipes. What to do with leftover rice is something I ask myself all the time. We order Chinese, Indian and Thai takeout often and always have an extra container of cooked rice when we …
Let’s have a look at cooking with bay leaves. These little green leaves pack quite a punch when it comes to adding flavor and aroma to your recipes. Bay leaves are commonly used in soups and stews, sauces, and marinades, where they simmer alongside other ingredients. Whole bay leaves are most commonly used due to …
Welcome to our guide for how to dry bay leaves from your own backyard bay laurel plant. It is so much easier than you might think! Dried bay leaves are sold at most supermarkets, but if you have your own plant, you can easily dry the leaves to use in your recipes (and the flavor …
Summer just got a little more special with our recipe for stuffed zucchini flowers. The savory blend of creamy goat cheese, fresh herbs, and spinach goes beautifully with the crispy Panko breadcrumb coating. This elegant appetizer showcases the edible flowers of summer squash and is sure to impress your guests. It also gives us a …
Growing zucchini (AKA summer squash) involves selecting the right variety, spacing plants correctly and being effective with pest control. Otherwise, most gardeners will tell you that zucchini almost grows itself! Be careful though! Your neighbors might have to lock their door when they see you coming over with armfuls of zucchini! Growing summer squash will …
These stuffed yellow squash boats are the perfect way to use up a plentiful harvest of summer squash that seems to happen this time of the year. One of our good friends showed up yesterday with a bag of yellow summer crook neck squash. We all know the story of locking your doors so that …
Growing tomatoes in pots can be a space-saving way to enjoy fresh homegrown tomatoes, especially if you have a small space for gardening. Tomato container gardening is perfect for apartment dwellers or those without access to a traditional garden. This method will let you to grow delicious tomatoes on patios, balconies, rooftops, or even windowsills. …
When to plant peas depends on your local climate and the type of peas that you plan to grow. However, as a general rule, peas are cool-season crops that like cooler temperatures for germination and to start growing. There is even a gardening saying “plant peas when daffodils or forsythia bloom.” This tells us clearly …
Leggy succulents are those that have elongated stems or a stretched out appearance. This typically happens when succulents don’t receive enough light. In their natural habitat, succulents grow in sunny, dry conditions. If they don’t receive enough light, they may stretch out as they try to reach the sunlight. Many succulents, such as echeveria, hens …
Ponytail palm (beaucarnea recurvata) is not actually a palm, but a succulent in the Asparagaceae family. It is easy to care for and makes an impressive looking plant, particularly if you have one with multiple stems. The plant has a bulb-like trunk with the texture of elephant skin and long curling leaves. The bulbous trunk …
Kalanchoe thyrsiflora is a succulent with paddle shaped leaves which get quite red on the margins in brighter sunlight. These paddle plant care tips will help you get the most out of your plant. This plant is often confused with another, more common succulent, known as kalanchoe luciae. (Both have a similar look and the …
It’s time to learn the secrets of watermelon peperomia care! This tropical plant is a perfect indoor plant for beginners. Watermelon peperomia grows naturally in the rainforest, but adapts exceptionally well to indoor growing. It is a charming, compact houseplant known for its eye-catching foliage, which resembles the pattern of a watermelon rind. Keep reading …
These 26 low light indoor plants are easy to care for and don’t mind growing in lower light situations. This makes them ideal for rooms with limited light, especially during the winter months when the sun is lower in the sky. These easy-care low light houseplants will not only grow, but actually thrive in less than …
This vegetable manicotti recipe is loaded with the wonderful taste of fresh vegetables to delight vegetarians, but the richness that comes from the sauce and cheese that will delight even meat eaters. My whole family is very fond of Italian meals. We are also trying to eat a bit less meat, so Italian vegetable recipes …
Thanksgiving cactus propagation will give you new plants to share with friends. Fortunately, it is easy to do! This pretty plant (Schlumbergera truncata), also known as holiday cactus, is a popular houseplant that flowers about the time of the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. It is known for its vibrant, colorful blooms and easy care. …
The lipstick plant, also known as Aeschynanthus radicans, is a popular houseplant known for its attractive, tubular flowers that resemble lipstick tubes. The plant is quite easy to grow, and perfect for those who love the look of trailing indoor basket plants with pretty flowers. Keep reading to get some tips for successfully growing a …
Snake plant care is simple and easy. If you are looking for a plant that will thrive even with neglect, this indoor plant is for you! Also known as mother in law’s tongue, this tough plant has stiff, sword-like leaves with stripes and creamy yellow borders. The plant grows slowly indoors, and is comfortable even …
Choosing indoor plants with red flowers can add a pop of vibrant color to your indoor space, creating a focal point and enhancing the overall decor. Red flowers are very striking and visually appealing. They are often associated with love, passion, and energy. Having red flowers in your indoor environment can evoke positive emotions and create …