Another Reason to Keep Drinking Coffee

I don't think many of us need more reasons to drink coffee in the morning.  I have realized I have started waking up craving that first taste before dealing with the first sound of "mommy" ! 

Whether you are making those hot pots of Joe yourself or stopping by Starbucks, lets talk Coffee Grounds.  DO NOT throw them away.  Coffee Grounds can be used in your garden or household.

Simply place them on a paper towel in a strainer and allow them to dry out.  In these hot months I place them outside and they are dry in a few hrs.  The paper towel is reusable too once it dries out.

I collect them in a paper bag until I have a good amount to use around the house.

Looked online just to get some verification of what I have heard and have done.  Here is the list from www.sustainableenterprises.com

• Sprinkle used grounds around plants before rain or watering, for a slow-release nitrogen.
• Add to compost piles to increase nitrogen balance.  Coffee filters and tea bags break down rapidly during composting.
• Dilute with water for a gentle, fast-acting liquid fertilizer.  Use about a half-pound can of wet grounds in a five-gallon bucket of water; let sit outdoors to achieve ambient temperature.
• Mix into soil for houseplants or new vegetable beds.
• Encircle the base of the plant with a coffee and eggshell barrier to repel pests

Most Starbucks have a little box in their store that says "for your garden".  If it is empty I am sure you can ask the Bartista for some.

How about those unfortunate days you have leftover coffee in the pot.

If you enjoy iced coffee, why not freeze the extra coffee in ice cube containers and use in your next iced coffee or blended drink.
You can also dilute the coffee with water, I do it right in the coffee pot itself and give my houseplants a splash of caffeine.

Not sure of the science with Decaf but worth a try!  Let me know what other coffee tricks you have.

Burp Cloths or Tea Towels adorned with Ribbon

I showed you how to make the fabric towels now I will show you how to make an even easier but not less cute, ribbon option.  I sewed these but I imagine you could just use Fabri-tac and glue them on.  With ribbon the styles and colors are endless.  If you do not have a good store to buy ribbon, try Ebay.  I have found really cute ribbon on the site and you don't have to buy several yards as with most other ribbon sites.

Simply decide if you want to have the ribbon go down the seams of the diaper or simply adorn the bottom.  (Be sure to purchase the diapers that have the inserted liner)

Cut the ribbon to fit the desired length of the diaper.  You can seal the ends of the ribbon simply by burning it with a lighter or you can purchase Ribbon Fray at a fabric store.  Once the ends are sealed, fold them over  and pin down.

For this example, make sure and place the ribbon on top of the each seam.  Pin down in a few places to keep in straight while sewing.  Sew down each side of the ribbon making sure to reinforce the ends.

I chose to use 2 ric rac ribbons for this example simply because I saw the ribbon and thought it would be different.  You only need to use one ribbon, just be sure it is at least 1 inch wide.

After cutting the proper length and sealing the ribbons, I placed the ribbon along the edge of the diaper or tea towel and pinned them on top of one another and through the diaper. 

Sew along the top and bottom of the yellow ribbon.   Now you have a unique and quick baby or hostess gift.

Broccoli at the Farmers Market

I had picked up a 6 pack of broccoli plants at Lowes when I was picking up the soil for my garden in April.  To my surprise I have 6 very healthy plants that have given my kids a reason to eat their green veggies.  Today, I went to the farmers market with my kids and saw local farmers also have the fresh broccoli available.

If you ever decide to grow broccoli, it is considered a cold weather vegetable, which means in Virginia, my life expectancy of my crop is pretty short right now.  I will try to grow more starting in September.  I was relying on the garden tag the plants had with them for harvest information.  The tag said the heads reach 8 inches.  So every couple of days the kids and I would measure the head, just using my finger as a guide.  It was getting larger and larger, 6 inches but not a tight bunch anymore.  So I decided to research harvest information.  This may be useful when purchasing from a farmers market or even a grocery store. You want your heads to be closed tight together, don't rely on the size.  Once they start spreading apart, they will start getting bitter.  You do not want any yellow flowers either.

In my experience and surprise, each broccoli plant had one big head growing at first and once I cut that off first heads, several small ones have since emerged.

Find a local farmers market in your area and enjoy the bounty close to home.

http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/

Have you ever bought the big bag of broccoli from Costco or Sam's Club and find yourself not eating it as fast as you would like.  Just blanche the broccoli that you are not eating in salted water for a few minutes.  Cool in an ice bathe and place in a freezer bag.  It will be just like the broccoli you get in the freezer section..

I am including two of my favorite uses of broccoli.  One my kids will always eat, the second the adults really enjoyed.

Grandma and Mom's Broccoli and Pasta

Ingredients

1 Bunch of Fresh Broccoli

1 Large Onion Sliced

5-6 Cloves of Garlic- Chopped

1 Cup of Olive Oil

Grated Cheese

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 lb. of Pasta-linguine, rigatoni, ziti etc

 

Preparation

Clean and cut broccoli in small flowerettes and stems. (Cut and discard the big thick lower stems)

Peel off the outer skin from the upper thick stems and slice stems bite-size.  Discard the skins.

Cook broccoli in about ½ cup of water in the microwave, usually 4-6 minutes.  stir half way through. Leave a little crispy because it cooks again.

While the broccoli is cooking, sauté the onion in Olive Oil until slightly softened, and then add the garlic.  Saute another minute or two.  Also Cook pasta until al dente.

Add the broccoli and liquid to the cooked ionion and garlic.  Cook together until broccoli is slightly crisp or tender.  Add salt and peper to taste.  You could cover it an let it steam if it needs more cookin or just to keep it warm

Drain pasta and mix it with broccoli mixture. Add cheese, salt and pepper to taste.  Toss and serve warm.

Parmesan Roasted Broccoli-Ina Garten

4 to 5 pounds broccoli

4 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced

Good olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted

1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons julienned fresh basil leaves (about 12 leaves)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Cut the broccoli florets from the thick stalks, leaving an inch or two of stalk attached to the florets, discarding the rest of the stalks. Cut the larger pieces through the base of the head with a small knife, pulling the florets apart. You should have about 8 cups of florets. Place the broccoli florets on a sheet pan large enough to hold them in a single layer. Toss the garlic on the broccoli and drizzle with 5 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until crisp-tender and the tips of some of the florets are browned.

Remove the broccoli from the oven and immediately toss with 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, the lemon zest, lemon juice, pine nuts, Parmesan, and basil. Serve hot.

Recipe can be easily halved

Simple Propagation or Kids Science Experiment

I don't know how many times I was planting an annual and somehow the tips of the plant were broken off.  Or better yet, your anxious child picks a flower and pulls off most of the stem.  You may even have a Sweet Potato Vine that is growing too long and you need to trim it.  Do not throw away the damage if it is long enough to fit in a bud vase.

1)Place the stem, freshly cut with a scissors into a bud vase full of water.

2) Place the vase in a sunny spot.  I have a ledge on my kitchen window that is just wide enough to hold a small vase.

3) Watch and Wait.  Refill the water as needed. It could take a few weeks to get your final answer.

Have the kids guess what might happen to the different types of plants...  

                         

I have had many annuals sprout roots and replanted into a container or garden.

Otherwise they just might bloom as if they were still attached to the mother plant.

If you use a glass vase the kids can watch the progression of a plant and even measure any growth...if they seem interested.

Once they have grown roots, simply put them in a seed starting mix or good potting mix and keep moist. In the hot summer you may want to do this instead of planting right into a pot or garden. They are pretty fragile at this point.  

                                 

         

After a few weeks they will establish good enough roots to plant.

Some plants I have recently had success sprouting roots: Coleus, Impatiens, Portulaca, Zinnias, Tomatoes, Sweet Potato Vine, Basil, and Mint.  

Lantana has continued to bloom but no roots yet!

Just trimmed back some Mums I had in my garden from last fall and putting a few of those in a vase....

Many of the plants I mentioned above can be trimmed back early fall before they are affected by any frost and supply you with plants for the following Spring.

Container Gardening

Not everyone can have a garden in the ground.  A container can serve as a wonderful place for herbs, tomato plants even peppers or a squash plant.  Any vegetable plant still needs at least 6 hours of sunlight.  Maybe a front or back porch even a spot in the driveway will serve as great garden platform.  Cluster a few pots together and you have a instant garden!

Although I have my new raised bed garden, I still have a pot of bell peppers and a pot of extra herbs sitting in my driveway.  I have a pepper plant in a pot and another plant just in a garden bed, near the same location, and the potted one seems to be doing better. 

Make sure the pots you are using are cleaned from last years dirt and grime.  They need adequate drainage as well.  Look for a pot with holes in the bottom as you can't control the amount of rain it is going to get.  If you have a plastic pot with no drainage, try using a drill to make a few holes.   Then place rocks or a shard of an old pot at the bottom.

If you are trying to grow organically use a good organic potting soil.   Miracle Grow has an organic potting soil available at many stores.

Also when you are making those omelets, rinse out the egg shells and place the crushed shells  in the soil before planting.  They will continue to feed the plant with calcium.   Make sure you water the containers more frequently than your flower beds as they will dry out more quickly.

My grandmother use to put eggshells in her watering jugs.  I looked it up on Google and found that it is called "calcium tea".  Place the shells in the watering jug (a clean milk jug) and allow it to seep for a day or so. The same website added that the water used when hard boiling eggs is also good for the garden.  Who knew!

No matter what type of outdoor space your home allows for, you can still share the joy of gardening with your family.  You might be surprised they are eating more veggies, mine have!!  

Read more: "Creative Frugal Uses for Eggshells: Recycle Egg Shells in the Garden, Kitchen and Around the Home | Suite101.com" -http://reducing-waste.suite101.com/article.cfm/creative_frugal_uses_for_eggshells#ixzz0FQy6OMNX&A 

Re-potted flower gift

 I just wanted to send out a follow up to the  post of re-potting your perennials for gifts.

You can do the same with the extra herb or annual flowers you started from seed and don't want to throw out.

Here is a photo of the gift going out to my kids teachers as a little extra treat in addition to the group gifts I already contributed to.  

  I added a tag to describe the type of flower and general care.  I simply used a "Business Card" format on a Word Document. I found some details of the flower on the web and highlighted some general care instructions.  

                             

Then simply cut out the cards and glue onto a Popsicle stick or skewer.  Wrap the container in some tissue paper and you have an instant gift that keeps on growing!!

If you don't have extra plants around the house, buy a plant at a nursery or home improvement center.  Use the label as a thank you card for your teacher or friend.

If you would like the formatted label document, just let me know and I will email it to you. All you will need to do is paste the correct care information for the flower of choice.

When I figure out how to paste documents onto the blog it will make it easier!

Strawberry picking and freezing

  

It is that time of year, at least in the south, for strawberries.  We tried a new place this year because the location we have gone in the past was not open yet.  We were pleasantly surprised to find a place that had raised beds and plastic mulch which made picking so much easier and cleaner.  Due to the rainy conditions these past weeks the strawberries were plentiful and large.  If you live in Richmond, Va area check out 

Mt Olympus Berry Farm.

If you are looking for a place in your area to pick you own produce check out  www.pickyourown.org 

So now what do you do with the 20 lbs of strawberries you anxiously picked?  We all know strawberries quickly deteriorate especially soft ones that the kids picked and you can only eat so many at once!!

Do not wash berries until you are ready to eat them and store them immediately in the refrigerator.

For a quick treat, wash and slice the strawberries and add to a bowl.  Add some sugar and let them sit out on the counter for a few minutes, stirring once.  If your kids are ambitious add a little fresh mint as well.  Top vanilla ice cream or short cake with this juicy mixture. 

For long term storage here are a few suggestions:

For both methods wash and dry the strawberries well.  I used a salad spinner to get the strawberries dry without bruising them.  Then using a strawberry huller or paring knife cut off the green tips.  

 1)Place the whole strawberry, cut side down. onto a cookie sheet and put into the freezer until frozen.  

Place the frozen berries into a Ziploc or freezer container and store 3 to 4 months.  This method is great when making margaritas, milkshakes or smoothies, do even bother defrosting them.

   

2) Slice the berries and place into a freezer bag or container with some sugar.  Let them macerate for a few minutes and then freeze.  This technique will last a little longer in the freezer, about 6 months.  Use the defrosted mixture on top of short cakes, ice cream or any other recipe that asks for sweetened strawberries.

We also tried a recipe found in the April 2009 Southern Living Issue for a Strawberry Turkey Brie Panini worth sharing. Enjoy the entertainment of the local farms in your areas and watch in amazement how much your children will eat right off the vines!

Ingredients

8 ounces brie round

8 slices Italian bread

8 ounces thinly sliced smoked turkey

8 fresh basil leaves

1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries

2 tablespoons red pepper jelly

2 tablespoons butter, melted

strawberries, halved (optional)

Directions

1.Trim and discard rind from Brie. Cut Brie into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Layer four bread slices evenly with turkey, basil leaves, strawberries and Brie.

2. 
Spread 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper jelly on one side of each of remaining four bread slices; place bread slices, jelly sides down, on top of Brie. Brush sandwiches with melted butter.

 

3.
Cook sandwiches, in batches, in a pre-heated panini press two to three minutes or until golden brown.  (If you dont have a panini press just use a grill pan)

Garnish with strawberry halves, if desired.

 

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

It was teacher appreciation week at one of our schools this week.  We got a letter home asking us to bring in something homemade by the child for each teacher.  I felt the teachers probably get enough pictures, so why not give them something they can eat and easily made by the child.

These are easily adapted for several different occasions.  The technique is the same just use different color chocolates and sprinkles or candies.  

Today we used Vanilla and Chocolate Bark because we already had them on hand. You can use chocolate chips or chocolate discs in an abundant of colors.

Simply microwave desired amount of chocolate in a ramakin or glass dish per the package directions.  Be sure to check the chocolate often as it can burn easily.

Allow the children to spread the chocolate over bottom 1/2 of pretzel and place onto parchment paper.  

They can then decorate them with sprinkles or any type of mini or cut up candies.

Depending on the temperature in you house you can either keep them out to set or place them in the refrigerator for a few minutes.

Once they are dried you can package them in  Pretzel treat bags or any long clear treat bag.  Two pretzels fit nicely in the pretzel size bag.

I sealed them with a personalized address label.  WWW.Avery.com has many templates already made that they can be completed in just minutes.  The child could also simply sign their name and add a simple picture on a label for a even more homemade feeling.

These are homemade by the kids but put together with a little extra touch!

In today's project we found that one bark of chocolate covered 5 pretzels nicely.

Burp Cloths or Tea Towels from Fabric Scraps

I had a baby shower this weekend as well as a baby gift I needed to send out.  I found a few new cloth baby diapers I had from a while back, looked into my  "Fabric Scraps"  and decided to put a few burp cloths together for these gifts.  You could also reuse an old dress fabric that your daughter stained or ripped to no repair or leftover decorator fabric from a previous project.  Just be sure the fabric is washable, no silks please. 

How cute would these be with some Lily fabric?

Make sure you purchase cloth diapers that are thick and have the extra sponge or padding  insert.

First measure your diaper's width, on the shorter end, and add 1/2" for seam allowance.

Then decide how high you want the fabric to go up, double that measurement and add 1/2" for the seam allowance.

My examples were made with a piece of fabric 15" x9".

Next fold your fabric in half the long way.  Open it up and then on the wrong side of the fabric, iron a 1/4 inch seam all around.

Using the fold in the middle as a guide, line up the burp cloth to the middle of the fabric.

Fold the fabric back up and pin the fabric to the burp cloth, making sure to catch both sides of the fabric as evenly as possible.

Fold in the corners like a present and try to line up evenly.  Pin together.

Now you can sew the 3 sides of fabric you have pinned together. Start at the bottom of the left hand side, (at the folded end)  and work your way around to the bottom of the right side.   There is no need to sew over the bottom that is just folded.

*To add zig-zag, you could either add it to the top seam b/f you sew it, or use 

Fabri-tac and just glue it on.

When I was adorning the burp cloths I found some fringe and thought these would be fun Tea Towels for hostess gifts, teachers gifts or for yourself.  Just follow the same directions using white or colored Flour Sack or Tea Towels. You can use the Fabri Tac to add fringe or sew it across the bottom folded edge.

In another blog I will share some ones made from ribbon that can be no-sew.

Critters in the Garden

I had thought my plants were big enough to live outside the milk containers so I removed them Saturday.  My bean plants were a couple inches high and due to the tee-pee structure they were never protected. 

Well, I came to find them almost all eaten Sunday morning.  I was devastated, to see the tiny leaves almost all removed from my plants.  So Sunday my family and I were on a mission to try prevent this.  

 After some research this is what we are going to try to minimize any further "critters of mass destruction".

1)Placed a plastic owl we had in the back on the house in front of garden

2)Purchased wire fencing that we tacked down in the corners with tomato stakes.  

 (might be good to keep little feet out as well)

3)Placed organic blood meal around the plants and perimeter of garden. The smell is supposed to deter rabbits, deer and gophers.  It is a good source of nitrogen for the garden also.  Just use per package instruction. 

4) Created  a hot pepper spray that I will spray directly on the plants when it stops raining. You can spray on veggies as well just be sure to wash them before you burn your mouth

•          2 tablespoons Cayenne Pepper
  
• 2 tablespoons Garlic Salt
  
• 32 ounces of warm water

 Tie up the spices in a paper coffee filter and allow to steep for a few hrs or overnight. Then remove spices and place in a sprayer.  I also added a few drops of Tabasco.

5) Let the boys urinate outside perimeter of garden! Not sure of the effectiveness but considered predator smell.

6) Extreme but looking into getting a barn cat, also to help with the moles and snakes in the yard.

7) Take shavings of Irish spring soap and put around plants (have not tried but have had suggestions from people)

Would love any ones thoughts or comments and will share the effectiveness of the techniques in the weeks to come.

Here is a photo of Fort Knox!!

Daily tip-Bananas

What should you do with the 2 bananas that are too ugly for your kids to eat?  Peel them and place them in a ziploc bag in the freezer. You can then use them in a smoothie straight from the freezer or defrost them and put them in your favorite banana bread recipe!!  

Double your quick bread recipe and put one in the freezer for a later date or a quick gift! Or use mini loaf pans, usually one quick bread recipe makes 3 mini loaves and now you have plenty to share.