Garden Fuss

 After hardening off for a few days we planted our cool weather vegetables. This includes our cabbage, brussel sprouts, purple cauliflower leeks, red and Georgia onions. In addition to these seedlings we transplanted, we also have sowed directly our collard greens, kale, and swiss chard. Thanks to a local gardener who had an abundance of plants, we now have more daylillies, and two other mystery plants that he wanted to thin out as well. We are so excited about them growing and blooming so we can identify them and give you an update. I like surprises, especially when they will grow 6 to 8 feet tall with bloom and keep my beagle from visiting the sweet young sheila two houses over. Oh and on a side note our winter sowing has been a success so far. I'm actually on my way out to water and check the progress and will be updating pictures for you later this evening or tomorrow morning at the latest. So far what I know is up and germinated are the following: Mother of T

 Apparently after looking at the huge water bill the last 2 months and listening to the *drip, drip, drip* coming from the bathroom....We are in need of a new toilet! Oh joy oh joy a new pot to....you know!!!! LOL Anyway happy planting we still have a few more hours to get out there and do some planting today. Tomorrow will be a busy day for us as we are getting a few bags of daylillies from a member of freecycle . I love freecycle you can get rid of perfectly good items and pick up items you are in need of that someone else is getting rid of like glorious daylillies. And guess what? All this for free! I love how neighbors help neighbors. How do you help neighbors in your community?

This time a couple years ago I lost one of the loves of my life. My Grandma Willie was a wonderful woman who had so many skills in the kitchen and garden I wished she had time left on the earth to share them all with me and the rest of the world. As a memorial to my grandmother I have finally gotten the guts to attempt making what I believe is a great recreation of her coconut cake. So far so good everything came out wonderfully! I have yet to taste it myself, but my daughter says it's beyond "The Bomb", and my son is sleeping but tasted the icing and loved it.  Tonight I've chosen to show the finished product first and then the step by step process of making it. I will be adding a recipe soon, but I am so beat I have to lay it down for a while. Please enjoy the beautiful photo of the cake I am really proud and humbled after this cathartic experience.

It's been two and a half weeks since we started the tomato seedlings and as you can see they are coming along quite nicely. They have been moved to a window where they can get some natural sunlight. I have turned off the bottom heater since they are so big and strong. They almost 80 degree weather we have had today makes me itch to get them outside soon. It won't be long now, and it looks like we will have a bumper crop to croon about.   The cabbage, brussel sprouts, and cauliflower are all getting their true leaves and will be going into the ground in the next two weeks or so. I am thinking that I will start hardening them off next week. They were started on or around the 3rd of March so their 4 weeks old. I will also sow a couple seeds directly into the ground for a later harvest mid summer. I didn't take a picture of the leeks but they are performing very well. They will also be planted in the garden in the next couple of weeks and are sharing a spot on the window sill

This breakfast was inspired by something I watched on food network last week. Theirs was a savory dinner version which I can't wait to try soon with some grilled pork chops or chicken and a nice gravy or sauce. Earlier I stated that "So far so good the 8 year old likes it". This is true for the hubby, and I have to admit this is going to pretty much be a staple breakfast or dessert in our home. For dessert I would add a nice dollop of creme fraiche or whipped cream and some fresh berries drizzled with honey. Since this was breakfast I fried a couple eggs "sunny side up" and voila I'm done until lunch. Click Here for the recipe.

Hey y'all I'm Ebony (Bugzy for short...lol), and I'm excited to say that this is my first post and there will be a lot more coming. While franksgreengirl (mom for short) will be keeping you up to date with the garden, I will be adding the seasonal recipes our family makes with the produce we harvest from our garden. The recipes that I post will be easy and delicious. We will both be adding information on the different ways to preserve your fruits and vegetables for the winter season. Mom likes to make jams, jellies, pickles and preserves so expect to learn a lot about those. I hope that these recipes will get you excited about growing your own garden and using your own produce. In addition to all of this I will be covering the different mini projects that happen around our house both in the kitchen and out when mom is still toiling away in the garden. I hope that you find this information helpful and make your time in the house and/or garden just a little more enjoyable.

There has been quite the debate in my family of late on whether it is possible to successfully use the winter sowing process for warm weather plants like Okra, tomatoes, peas and so forth. Winter Sowing is a process where you use recycleable containers as miniature green houses to start "hardy" seedlings outdoors during the winter months. This is supposed to be an easy method of germinating seeds that if done successfully will allow you to save #1. money, #2. time, and #3. time & money. First off it is very feasable financially to buy seeds and germinate them by direct sowing, in-door starting, and/or winter sowing. The cost to start your garden whether vegetable, herb, or flower could start to break the bank if you are purchasing plants instead of seeds. Starting seeds on time for the upcoming growing season can take a lot of work and planning and if inexperienced can also take a bite out of your wallet. Expenses that can sneak up on you are things like