Planting Tomatoes

 

 

 

I just planted tomato plants into my clay soil again this year.  If you want to know the best way to plant your tomatoes click on the tomato above and it will give you step by step instructions.  I have been successful when I transplant the tomato plants in this way unless of course it freezes. 

The first twenty-two tomato plants I planted about a week ago got nipped when it got cold and killed one, then the wind blew for two days.  Thankfully the tomatoes are hanging on and look pretty good for a rough start.   

I planted about fifty tomato plants on Memorial Day (I have such a good time on holidays.) 

Check out the instructions at http://www.stitchthrutime.com/Planting_Tomatoes.html on how to transplant your tomatoes, I do it this way for all the plants I put in the ground and have a great success rate.  It is a trick my Grandmother taught me when she used to give me flowers to bring home and transplant many years ago, I still have plants from her that I have moved several times to different locations and they are thriving. 

I also planted my squash Memorial Day and they are doing well, then I went out and bought more to plant this week.  I have a hard time going to a greenhouse, I always come home with more then I planned on, I am sure many of you have the same problem.

 

 





 

 

 

 



Composting

 

 

A couple of years ago I bought a composter at Costco and enjoyed the benefits of this modern day machine making old decomposed dirt and other waste from my home and gardens.  This year Costco came out with a double composter that I bought for Mothers Day.  I have found that sometimes it is a good thing to get what you really want otherwise you will be disappointed.  This year I was extremely happy with my Mother’s day gift.

My sweet husband started putting it together on Mother’s day and got the two drums assembled and for that I was very grateful as it was a lengthy chore.  It was getting late so he put it in the shed to finish later.  We are both busy with jobs and the ranch so it has set there for a while and I decided to get it out and finish it.   I hauled it down to the greenhouse as the drums are quite heavy and I didn’t want us to have to carry the entire composter down to the greenhouse.  My two grandsons age four and six helped with what they could in the transporting of parts. 

Two hours later I had directions in hand and many left over parts.  I was just hoping they had been generous and just sent extra parts.  About that time my husband arrived home and I asked for more help with this endeavor of assembling my composter.  He studied the directions that to my opinion and his also were not very good and we found a place for all the missing parts.

I love my composter and if I were to buy it assembled I am sure it would have been double in price.  I did notice the composter at the store didn’t have all the parts in it, maybe they had a hard time with the directions also.

My new double composter is a great addition to the large one.  The drums on the double composter don’t hold as much as the single one because they are smaller but are easier to tumble than the larger one.  Later I will make an outside composter pile but now I am very happy with the tumbler composters and look forward to many loads of good dirt.

My grandsons were happy to dig up worms from the garden to put in the composter, worms help with the decomposition of the green waste, which doesn’t remain green very long.  I also had them help me with putting in the screws while assembling the composter so they could feel like they were a part of the building process.  It also taught them how to work a screwdriver, something they will have to perfect over time.  We have much to do in the garden this year and I want my grandchildren to feel like this is there garden also while learning how to garden.





Planting Peas and Potatoes

 

All but a couple of rows of the potatoes are planted.  Yesterday I bought some Yukon gold potatoes and will plant them this week.  I have five varieties of potatoes planted and will plant the tomatoes, peppers and other tender plants after Mothers Day to make sure they don't freeze.  That is not a guaranteed they won't freeze because a few years ago I have had it freeze on the 4th of July.  I had some beautiful tomatoes I had planted from seed that were looking great until the afternoon of the 4th - they died.

The peas went in earlier last month but some of our cute little birds (not too cute when they eat your seeds) ate most of the seeds so I had to replant. The peas are planted above the green house so you can't see them but some of the first planting is coming up.  I had read on the internet that if you clip the peas with a toenail clipper they will come up sooner.  I did a test and found the ones that were clipped did not come up any sooner than the ones that didn’t get clipped so in my opinion save yourself a lot of time and work and just plant the peas - then water. . 

 I would suggest investing in a planter when you have a large area, it will save you time and wear and tear on your body.  It is a little expensive to begin with but in the long run well worth the money.  If you want to know what kind of planter I have just ask as it is a good one and has lasted me for years.  I did buy the extra planter plates so I could plant a large variety of seeds.  Every year when I get it out at planting time I am so thankful to have it. 

Old Fashioned Aprons like in a Norman Rockwell Painting

 

It is hard to find an old fashioned apron like the aprons in the Norman Rockwell paintings or Aunt Bee and Lucille Ball used to wear.  There is one place you can find these nostalgic aprons and that is www.stitchthrutime.com

            They have the old fashioned aprons that are comfortable and don’t pull on your neck like the modern day ones.  You may find retro half aprons that are comfortable and pretty also. 

            When it comes time for any holiday just put one of their holiday aprons then you’ll have decorations on not only your home but yourself also. 

            You can also find ones for your little girls and boys so they can help in the kitchen also.  I had an apron when I was little and helped my Mom in the kitchen and loved it.

            Mother’s day is coming up soon and they have mother daughter aprons that are matching.

Jalapeno Popper Cracker Spread

YIELD: 16 servings5.03

Ingredients

2	packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1	cup mayonnaise
½	cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
¼	cup canned chopped green chilies
¼	cup canned diced jalapeno peppers
1	cup shredded Parmesan cheese
½	cup panko (Japanese) bread crumbs
	Sweet red and yellow pepper pieces and corn chips

Directions

In a large bowl, beat the first five ingredients until blended; spread into an ungreased 9-in. pie plate. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; top with bread crumbs. Bake at 400° for 25-30 minutes

Baked Cheese Potatoes

I made these last night, the family enjoyed them..  They reminded me of funeral potatoes, a full meal.

 For those of you who haven't had funeral potatoes, they are used often in my area after funerals.  The LDS church has a dinner at the church after the funeral for the family.  They call various people in the community and ask them to bring a recipe of potatoes that have come to be known as "funeral potatoes" -  a filling comfort food. 

 Yield:  6 Servings

 Ingredients

 3 large russet potatoes, about 2 lbs.  unpeeled and clean

3/4 cups shallots, I use onions because I usually don't have shallots.

 

2 1/2  cups grated cheddar cheese.  You can use different kinds of cheese for a good flavor.

1 tsp salt

 

Garlic Powder

 

Parsley Flakes

1/4 tsp. pepper, if you have white that is better because of color.

 

1 1/2 cups sour cream, you can use fat free.

 Directions

Bake potatoes until done, I put in a large pan and punch with a fork.  You can wrap them in aluminum foil if you wish but I prefer a large covered baking pan.  Let potatoes cool, put in refrigerator until completely cool.

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees

 Grate potatoes using larger holes on your grader, including skins unless you don't like the skin, I like to keep the skins on.  Put in a bowl and add shallots (or onions).  Add about 1 3/4 cups cheese, garlic powder, parsley flakes and pepper.  I add garlic and parsley because that is something I use in about everything, you can add whatever seasoning you like.

 

 Gently toss mixture then fold in sour cream, don't mix and smash the potatoes.

Put the potato mix into a 1 1/4 quart dish, do not compress.  Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.  Bake until the potatoes are hot and the cheese is golden brown, about 30 minutes.

 

 

Vintage Valentine Card To My Valentine

Vintage Valentine Card "Just to keep you posted that I think you're pretty nice!"



Poor little working girl vintage Valentine

Poor little working girl vintage Valentine



To My Sweetheart In The Service

Sweetheart Valentine for your honey in the military.



Best Neck Heating Pad - Ever!



 

This is the BEST neck heating pad ever.  Try this neck heating pad once and you will never want another one again.  Stitch Thru Time’s neck heating pad is so comfortable the way it fits on your neck and shoulder.  If you turn the neck heating pad upside down it fits your lower back perfectly, and who doesn’t have an ache on your lower back or your sciatic nerve that a heating pad won’t sooth.  As an added bonus it comes with a washable pillowcase so you can keep it clean.

Not only does it make you feel good but you can use it for years if taken care of.  Once you try this wonderful neck heating pad from www.stitchthrutime.com you will be a fan for life.  Just throw it in the microwave and you will be surprised how long it retains the heat. 



A vintage Valentine to my Husband

A Valentine to my Husband.  No one compares nor ever can, so true.



Dog Gone Vintage Valentine Card

Dog Gone it, Valentine Be Mine. Vintage Valentine Card with hearts and a dog wearing a red polka dot bow.  How Cute!



Red Gingham Heart Apron - Retro Style

Valentines Day is not to far away and what better way to celebrate it than in this pretty red gingham heart apron.  It also comes in matching girl aprons. 

A very retro apron that rests comfortably on your shoulders and covers you for fun in the kitchen.  You may find this pretty heart apron at www.stitchthrutime.com



Olive Vintage Valentine Card

Who doesn't remember the Popeye and Olive cartoon and the great love they  had for one another.  Here is an Olive "Be My Valentine Card" that brought back many memories.



Cheese Mashed Potato Pancakes

 

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups chilled leftover mashed potatoes

2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 Tablespoons chopped scallions, green and white parts

1 egg, lightly beaten

3 Tablespoons plus 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Vegetable oil, for pan-frying

Sour cream, for serving

 

DIRECTIONS:

In a large bowl, stir together the mashed potatoes, cheese, scallions, egg and 3 tablespoons flour until combined. Using your hands, divide the mixture into 12 portions. Roll each portion into a compact ball then flatten it into a pancake about a 1/2-inch-thick.

Place the remaining 1/2 cup of flour in a shallow dish and carefully dredge each pancake in the flour.

Heat 3 to 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. (Add enough oil to thoroughly coat the bottom of the pan.)

Fry the pancakes, in batches, until they're golden brown and crispy on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes. Add more oil to the pan as needed between batches. (Do not overcrowd the pan and do not flip the pancakes too soon or they won't develop a crisp crust.) Transfer the pancakes to a paper towel-lined plate and immediately sprinkle them with salt.

Serve the potato pancakes topped with sour cream and garnished with additional chopped scallions.

Red Velvet Cookies

A fast and easy cookie for your sweetheart.

 

6 tablespoons butter, melted

1 box Duncan Hines Red Velvet Cake Mix

2 eggs

1 tsp. lemon zest (optional)

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp. cornstarch

 

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 370-degrees.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.  In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cornstarch.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs, then added cooled melted butter, lemon zest and cake mix.  Mix by hand until combined.

Roll into 1-inch balls.  Roll each ball in the powdered sugar mixture then place on a prepared baking sheet about 2-inches apart.

Bake for 7-9 minutes until set.

 

St Valentines Day

St. Valentines Day



BUFFALO WINGS



1.    Cut off wing tips, can be used for making stock).  Cut wings at the joint, put chicken wing pieces in a plastic bag and set aside..

2.   Create a marinade by stirring together the melted butter, hot pepper sauce, paprika, salt, cayenne pepper and black pepper.  Pour all but 2 tablespoons of the marinade over the chicken pieces in the plastic bag.  Reserve 2 tablespoons of marinade for coating the pieces after they come out of the oven.
Seal the bag and let the chicken marinate at room temperature for half an hour.  When marinating is finished drain marinade and throw away the bag.  3

3.   Place wing pieces on the rack of a broiler pan.  Groil 4 to 5 inches from the heat for about 10 minutes on each side until chicken is tender and no longer pink.   Remove from the oven and baste with reserved marinade (not the marinade that was in contact with the chicken.)

4.   Serve with blue cheese dip and celery sticks.  Combine dip ingredients, sour cream, mayonnaise, blue cheese, vinegar and garlic in a blender or food processor.  Blend or pulse until smooth.  Cover and chill up to a week.

Buffalo Wings Ingredients

Wings

2 lbs chicken wings (about 12 wings)
3 Tbsp butter, melted
4 Tbsp bottled hot pepper sauce (like Crystal or Frank's Original)
1 Tbsp paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Celery sticks (optional)

Blue cheese dip

1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp white wine vinegar or white vinegar1 clove garlic, minced

I wish to be your Valentine Card

I wish to be your Valentine

Chocolate Valentine Hearts

 

I found these adorable chocolate strawberry hearts that were so easy to make and are adorable.  Just cut your strawberries in half and make your hearts then pour on your chocolate and decorate with white chocolate colored red.



Old Fashioned Valentines

Mailing Valentine Hearts

Pumpkin Pie Fudge

This Recipe came from an old schoolmate.



Original recipe makes 3 dozen squares

1 cup almonds (optional) I didn't use this in mine
3 cups white sugar
1 cup butter
1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk
1/2 cup canned pumpkin ( if you like a more pumpkin flavor use 3/4 cup canned pumpkin)
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice and 1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups creamy vanilla chips (I had to look for these they are much better than the regular vanilla chips
1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow crème
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1.Butter a 9x13 inch pan and set aside.
2.Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Arrange almonds on a cookie sheet and place in oven to toast. Stir frequently. Do not burn. Remove from oven and set aside. (This is only if you are going to use the nuts)
3. In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, butter, milk, pumpkin, and spice; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Continue boiling over medium heat until mixture reaches 234 degrees F (118 degrees C) on a candy thermometer, about 10 minutes.
4. Remove from heat. Stir in creamy vanilla chips. When chips are melted, add marshmallow cream, nuts, and vanilla. Mix until well blended.
5. Immediately pour mixture into prepared pan. Spread evenly. Cool at room temperature. Cut into squares, and store in the refrigerator in an air-tight container

Vintage Valentine Card

This is a Valentine I would like to give to my sweetheart.

VALENTINE'S DAY CARDS

 

            It seems like Christmas was just here and Valentines’ Day is not too far away.  I see all these fancy Valentine day cards at the store for around five dollars each and I still love the old fashioned Valentines.

 I will be posting old fashioned Valentine cards on my blog, those are the ones that are my favorites.

 

 

VALENTINE HEART CANDY POPS

 

 

Ingredients
24 mini candy canes
12 6" lollipop sticks
1 cup white candy coating, or white chocolate
Sprinkles

 

Lay your mini candy canes out on baking sheet with lollipop connected at the bottom.  Pour candy coating or white chocolate into middle.  Put in refrigerator until set up.  You now have heart pops.

PASSING ON - WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

            Monday will be the third funeral I have been to in nine days.  I was at a funeral about a month ago of another young woman that was in an accident who went way too young in my estimation. 

            The funerals were a celebration of each of their lives; it made me look deeply into my life.  The last funeral I went to was of a woman in her 70’s that was always doing service for others and a very hard worker which she instilled in her children. 

            It made me start to think of a funeral I was at many years ago, our Mothers were very good friends and he was like a cousin to me, .  He died at a young age in his late twenties or early thirties and had a wife and young children.  M Russel Ballard spoke at his funeral and told a story that I think of each time I hear of someone who has died.  The story was of a ship that was leaving the shore and all the people on the shore were cheering them on as they went on their voyage.  At the same time all the commotion was going on, out in the distance you could see a ship sailing in quietly.  It had finished its journey and was now coming home.  He likened this unto our lives, when we leave the spirit world everyone, including ourselves were happy we were going on this new journey to receive a body.  When our time is over if we have lived a good life we can quietly go home and what joy there will be when we are reunited with our loved ones and our heavenly father and mother.  It gives me comfort to know that these people I have known are now home.

Return with Honor.

Garlic and Brown Sugar Chicken

 

I made this chicken last night and used chicken tenders and it had a really nice flavor.  I used extra garlic than the recipe called for and a little more brown sugar.  Watch your oven and remove it when done, I have a convection oven so it didn’t take as long.

 

Ingredients:
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 tablespoons brown sugar
3 teaspoons olive oil

Instructions: Preheat oven to 450°F and lightly grease a casserole dish.

1.Brown your chicken breasts, tenders or any other chicken you have on hand.

2.Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar.

3. Place chicken breasts in a prepared baking dish and cover with the garlic and brown sugar mixture.
Add salt and pepper to taste.    Bake uncovered for 15-30 minutes.

How are those New Year resolutions going?

It is day eleven of the New Year and just checking to see how your life is going.  I am walking on the elliptical but haven’t started on the hoola hoop yet.  I have a new one without ribs coming so that should be soon hopefully.

I walked my 15 minutes today.  I was sore yesterday and that tells me it might take a while for me to get myself back where I have the stamina I need so if I need to go somewhere in a hurry I will be able to.

Years ago I went to Wyoming on what they call the Trek.  I could only take 16 pounds of personal items with me, that I how much the original Pioneers were allowed.  It is where the Mormon Pioneers who came across the planes with handcarts were caught by winter storms and many died along the trail.  You may go there and push the handcarts and go along the same trail they walked.  It was a wonderful experience, I just wish I had been in better shape to walk the trail.   

I had been working a desk job and was more out of shape than I am now and it was extremely hard for me to walk.  I told myself I would never get that out of shape again.  I may not be in that great of shape now but my muscles are much stronger.  If you ever have a chance to do this Trek I would recommend it.  It will give you a different perspective on what is really important.

Keep going and remember you will never fail if you don’t try.  In other words if you fall off the wagon get back on and start over the next day.  Don’t look back and beat yourself up, just celebrate what you did today, at least you are doing something.

Working Out Day 2

              

  My legs hurt from my long 15 minute workout yesterday.  I got on my elliptical and was going to do 20 minutes today but after 15 minutes I decided that was enough for right now.  I could feel it pulling on my stomach that needs to be reduced so it must be working on some of the right muscles.  I noticed my heart rate was higher today than yesterday.

  Tomorrow is a new day.

BUTTERMILK VANILLA STRAWBERRY SCONES

 

Big, beautiful crusty scones with cake-like interiors. Buttermilk makes them high-rising and dried strawberries are a nice surprise. Feel free to swap in dried cranberries.

4 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
¼ cup finely chopped almonds, optional
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons orange zest, finely minced
3/4 cup unsalted butter, very cold, diced into 1/2 cubes
1 cup ice-cold buttermilk
2 eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup dried strawberries, plumped, drained and minced
Preheat the oven to 400 F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Have the oven rack in the middle of the oven position.
In a large food processor, place all the dry ingredients (includes sugar and orange zest) and whiz to blend a minute.
Add the butter and pulse to cut up the butter into the dry mix until you have fine crumbs or a mealy mixture. (You can also so this by hand in a large bowl).
In a small bowl, blend the eggs, vanilla and buttermilk together.
Dump all the dry ingredients into a large bowl and make a well in the center. Add in the liquid stuff and blend with a spoon or by hand to bring mixture together. This is not a wet scone batter – it is stiff one. Fold in the strawberries.
Deposit large rounds of dough (about 1/2 cup) using an ice-cream scoop on the baking sheet.
Bake 22-27 minutes or until scones are well-browned all over.

WORKING OUT - DAY 1

    

    

  Yes, I am out of shape and need to get back into working out on my elliptical.  Today was day one of my let’s get my stamina up and lose some inches day.  No that is not a picture of me on my elliptical, she is way younger, skinnier and in shape.

            I got up early, strapped on my tennis shoes (who knows if they are running or walking shoes, there the only good ones I have right now).  I took the cover off of the elliptical I bought at Costco and started moving. 

            Day one:  around 16 minutes.  My legs burned.  No use killing myself the first day, I’ll save that for another day.

  Tomorrow I will do more.

WHAT NEW YEAR RESOLUTION SHOULD I MAKE THIS YEAR?

 

The New Year is here and it is time to make all the resolutions of how I am going to improve myself and my life.  Well good luck with that!

            My suggestion to you is to be realistic, only bite off what you know you can accomplish.  I’m not saying you shouldn’t strive to improve yourself or your surroundings but don’t make it so you set yourself up to fail.

            If you want to lose some weight then decide how you are going to do it and start with a number that is workable.  I want to lose 50 pounds but I am going to make a resolution to lose 10 pounds to start and after that I can make a new goal.  That way I am not let down when the weight doesn’t just fly off me.

            If you want to clean your house start with a closet, shelf or drawer and then take it from there.  Organize in little bites like eating an elephant and celebrate each goal you achieve (I don’t mean binge eating). 

            If you want to stop smoking take the money you would spend on cigarettes and spend it on yourself.  Don’t spend it on bills or anything other than yourself.  By rewarding you with something, a new blouse, earrings, shirt, tennis shoes or whatever you would not normally buy - you will start to realize the advantage of not smoking and feel good about it.  Continue to spend that money on you until you are sure you are not going to go back to smoking, you deserve it.

Happy New Year!