Snow Day

I was hostess to three children on Saturday. After several hours of indoor play we motored to our favorite ice cream creamery to indulged in some cold treats. The weather was very cold outside but ice cream is always good.

 When we arrived back to my house the kids wanted to play outside. The first adventure was knocking off all the icicles they could reach and pretending to be walruses. I think everyone has done this as a kid. They had lots of fun pulling each other around in the sled and sledging down all the hills that still had snow on them.

 Before long it was time to go back in the house to get warm. I put the wet coats and mittens by the wood stove to dry off. 

After dinner we noticed that it had began to snow again. By this time all three started to jump up and down happily yelling that it was a blizzard and they was going to be snow bound at my house for days! I was relieved when their parents came and the little snow bunnies could go home. And the house was quiet again until the next time. 

Soon Saturdays will be spent tending to the plants in the greenhouses.

I like working in the greenhouses. It is so relaxing just me, the plants and the warm sunshine. It gives me lots of time to think but I will always cherish those Saturday snow days spent with the kids. Building memories. Isn’t that what it is all about.

Blessings,

The Plant Lady ~ Linda

Delaware Plant Expo

I attended the Delaware Horticulture Industry Expo this week. The speakers were excellent! 

Michael Bowell told us to think of our garden as a flower show niche incorporating height, depth and width into the design. He said to place the containers where we want them and if they look good empty then filled them with our favorite flower. This makes a lot of sense because they get heavy when filled. He showed us a picture of a large animal water pan filled with flowers and rocks. I want to copy this using seashells. 

Roy Diblik from Northwind Perennial Farm spoke two times. He encouraged us to use old plants in new ways. His slide presentation was excellent! He reminded us to use plants for weed suppression instead of mulch. 

During the breaks I chatted with the exhibitors and collected all the “free” stuff.  This expo gets me excited for spring and of course the lunch is great too.

My seeds arrived in the mail today. Like a kid I had to open the box right away. What kind of seeds do you plant? 

Blessings,

The Plant Lady ~ Linda

Baked Goose, Seeds and Social Media

Hello Friends. I cooked a goose last night for dinner. I just added onion soup mix and cooked it slow. As you can see it turned out beautiful!

My husband made “goose salad” with the leftovers. He is the hunter in the family so I have learned how to cook wild game.

I use this cutter to cut the cabbage for cold slaw. It belonged to my grandmother. It does a good job so I don’t need to buy a newer one. Anyone else have one?

Today I sent in another seed order. I am almost done and soon it will be back in the greenhouses for me. I don’t really mind. I love working with plants. It is exciting in the beginning of the season, planning what to plant and how much. Last fall I brought some really cute planters and I can’t wait to fill them. 

Wednesday I attended a Social Media workshop. When I walked in the room, they asked if I was a speaker. Ha,ha maybe some day. I was able to learn some new things so it was worth the time plus the lunch was great.

Hope your day is good. 

The Plant Lady ~ Linda

Peanut Butter Bark

Hello Friends,

It is almost Christmas and I am ready except for a little baking. Christmas is my favorite day. We have family and friends over and I will be cooking a fresh 30 pound turkey. The day starts early and gets a little crazy during the gift exchange. I love watching the kids of all ages hunt for the "pickle" hidden in the tree. The other night I hosted a Ladies party and it was interesting watching some determined ladies on their knees looking for the pickle.

                                    Hope your Christmas is great  and try to eat healthy.

But Christmas only comes once a year so it is ok to eat some yummies such as Peanut Butter Bark.

                                

This is a copycat recipe for Williams-Sonoma's popular white and dark chocolate peppermint bark. Very festive!  Sorry but the picture would not copy. I am using my new computer and still learning.

This recipe is a variation on that theme, and a nice change of pace. It's delicious and beautiful, as you can see above. However, you can also be creative in your presentation, and use cookie cutters or molds to create different shapes. Imagine the oohs and ahs of all your lucky recipients!

Since this is a beginner recipe, your kids can get involved in your holiday baking too. Preparation time is only 15 minutes!

Ingredients

• 2 packages (4 oz. each) Hershey's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Bar, broken into pieces

• 1-2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg.) Reese's Peanut Butter Chips

• 1 tablespoon shortening

• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts or toasted almonds, coarsely chopped

Directions 

1. Cover cookie sheet or tray with wax paper.

2. Place chocolate in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 1 minute; stir. If necessary, microwave at MEDIUM an additional 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chocolate is melted and smooth when stirred.

3. Immediately place peanut butter chips and shortening in second microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM 1 minute; stir. If necessary, microwave at MEDIUM an additional 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred; stir in peanuts.

4. Alternately spoon above mixtures onto prepared tray; swirl with knife for marbled effect. Gently tap tray on countertop to even out thickness of mixture. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces. Store in cool, dry place. About 1 pound candy.

* To toast almonds: Heat oven to 350°F. Spread almonds in thin layer in shallow baking pan. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until light golden brown; cool.

Source: Hershey's Kitchens

Merry Christmas from all of us at Adams Fruit Market.

The Plant Lady ~ Linda

10 Ways To Think Outside The Gift Box

Hello everyone,

Hope you are enjoying this Christmas season as much as I am.  I love looking at all the lights each night, listening to holiday music and sitting in the glow of the Christmas tree.

I am hosting a Ladies party tomorrow evening so I spent today cleaning. Here is a picture of my tree. I think it is the prettiest one yet.

 It started out to be just red and white but the grandson likes green so I had to put green bulbs on it too.
 I ordered the last of the presents today but haven't wrapped any yet. I find they are easier to hid unwrapped.

 If you need some ideas on what to give others I found these 10 ways to think outside the proverbial gift box.

1. Give a handmade gift. Think crafts, cooking, art or bath scrubs. If you don’t have the time or talent yourself, shop local craft fairs for unique handmade gifts.
2. Give a service you can do yourself. Consider babysitting, car washing or yard work. Get creative with a cute little coupon you design and print yourself.
3. Gift services at a locally owned business. Perhaps a car tune-up, house cleaning or salon visit. Who wouldn’t love that!
4. Gift a class together. Art, fitness, and hobby classes are great choices. You’ll give the gift of knowledge as well as quality time!
5. Gift a membership. Consider local non-profits, museums, gyms or charity groups. 
6. Donate in someone’s name. Determine their favorite charity, fundraiser, or cause. I’ve had family donate an animal to a family in a third world country in the past instead of buying me a gift and felt so good about it!
7. Gift a meal at a locally owned restaurant. A delicious dining experience is topped only by knowing the dollars stay in your community.
8. Buy gifts from a locally owned business. Local shops have some of the cutest gift ideas. Being able to converse directly with the owner is always a bonus.
9. Buy used from thrift shops, antique shops, flea markets or used music and book stores. I can’t tell you how many wonderful gifts I’ve both bought and received from these stores over the years. The price is right as is the eco-friendly stature, but perhaps the best part is the treasure hunt!
10. Buy fair trade and eco-friendly made gifts. Seek out items that are sustainably produced, recycled or upcycled. Alternatively, help producers in developing countries make better trading conditions and promote sustainability by purchasing their fairly traded products.                                                             by The Soulicious Life. 

Hope this gives you ideas to finish your lists and enjoy time with family.

Merry Christmas to all,

The Plant Lady ~ Linda

Butternut Squash, Cauliflower and Carrot Recipe

Happy November everyone.
I am missing the warmer weather but I am loving all the many fall veggies available now.

 I have found this recipe for Butternut Squash, Cauliflower and Carrots.

Now is a fantastic time to try some new cauliflower recipes. Roasting Cauliflower quickly in high heat mellows the bitterness and gives it some caramelization for great flavor - m-mmm!
It is so easy and so good. I have made it several times already. Even the young ones like it.

Recipe:

½ head of Cauliflower separated into bite sized florets
3 Carrots peeled and bias-cut into bite-sized pieces
½ of a Butternut Squash, cleaned and chopped into large-bite chunks

Toss Vegetables in a bowl with 2 tsp Olive Oil
Season with Coarse Salt and Pepper, or a Seasoned Salt mix (I used the seasoned salt)
Spread out evenly on a large cookie sheet
Roast at 450 F for 30 minutes

Have a great day,
The Plant Lady ~ Linda

 

Dad's 91 Birthday

It was a blessing to be able to celebrate our Dad's 91 Birthday.  He is in fairly good health and he enjoyed "His" day, especially having all the family around. We had a light meal then cake and ice cream. I forgot my diet for this event! We had those blow party things which all the kids both small and big enjoyed.

Dad and Mom started Adams Fruit Market back in 1964. Our family had growned to six children by this time and Mother wanted a "small" produce market instead of dragging all six of us to Wilmington, DE each week to sell fresh produce. Dad built our market and back in 1964, there was not a lot of traffic so that is why the building is so close to the road today.
Out of six children, three of us run the market, me and my two brothers.

Dad still comes down to the market and enjoys talking to all of you.
Happy Birthday Dad and many more!!!

The Plant Lady~Linda