Tug Of War - poor Mr. Frog!
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
In The Garden
I haven't been able to garden much since moving to Colorado. One reason being is we have a 1/3 acre lot and the soil is terrible. It's more like ground rock with no organic matter. I do have a nice planter area on one side that gets a lot of shade which I would like to use for shade loving plants. I friend of mine gave me some divisions of some of her perennials but they lasted one night. Dug up by either the local rabbits that are everywhere or by our dogs. I want to put in raised beds around the back patio which should solve that problem. Until then I am content with a few pots on the porch. Like California, we have water restrictions which makes it almost impossible to have the lush gardens like we used to anyway.
Even though it hasn't been much, my hanging pots of petunias has been a real treat. You see, this is the first time I've been able to grow them. The area I lived at in California was largely agricultural. Our small tract was surrounded by fields of almonds, hay, and peaches which means you have a lot of insects. It was a constant battle to keep the worms and spider mites off the petunias, marigolds and geraniums. I finally just gave up and stopped planting them.
Well here in Colorado we don't have the agriculture in this particular area. With our high altitude we don't have as many insects and because of the snow and cold temperatures we don't have snails. We don't even have to treat our dogs and cats for fleas!!!
So even though it's not much right now, I'm content with my two hanging baskets of petunias. Getting back to basics and being grateful for the little things.
Have a wonderful week!
Even though it hasn't been much, my hanging pots of petunias has been a real treat. You see, this is the first time I've been able to grow them. The area I lived at in California was largely agricultural. Our small tract was surrounded by fields of almonds, hay, and peaches which means you have a lot of insects. It was a constant battle to keep the worms and spider mites off the petunias, marigolds and geraniums. I finally just gave up and stopped planting them.
Well here in Colorado we don't have the agriculture in this particular area. With our high altitude we don't have as many insects and because of the snow and cold temperatures we don't have snails. We don't even have to treat our dogs and cats for fleas!!!
So even though it's not much right now, I'm content with my two hanging baskets of petunias. Getting back to basics and being grateful for the little things.
Have a wonderful week!
Thursday, July 9, 2015
The Wise Encyclopedia of Cooking Peanut Butter Cookies
I don't know what brings back sweet childhood memories more than a plate of warm peanut butter cookies and a glass of milk. I have had this particular cookbook forever! I don't even remember where I got it. I've only made one thing from it - Peanut Butter Cookies. Let me tell you, that is enough!
This particular book was published in 1948 by Wm. H. Wise & Co., Inc.. I don't know if they are still in business, but they published a line of "encyclopedia" books such as cooking, gardening, sewing, fishing, shooting and even a medical reference book. I have the gardening book and I want to order the sewing book.
Back to the cookies. These are the cookies my children remember. When they were little I made them often. When my son was in the Navy, these are the cookies I sent to him when he lived back east and the cookies I made for him to take back when he was home on leave. I recently made a batch for him to take to work. "You're mom should make these and sell them!"
I can't take any credit. It's a great recipe.
This is not the best fancy staged picture. But oh, are they good!!!
Here's the recipe for you all!!! One thing to note. Since the published date is 1948 you have to remember one thing. Back then portions were small. No super sizing like we have today. So the least I do is double the recipe and most times I quadruple it. I also make them bigger than they suggest. I have found at our altitude (5,280 feet) 13 minutes is perfect. I also add a tablespoon more flour for each batch and smidge less baking powder. It's an altitude thing! " If you are anywhere near being a flatlander, you should do fine following the recipe just like it is. Oh, I also add more peanut butter than it calls for. To quote one of my favorite chefs, "how bad could that be?
Make them and please let me know how they turn out!!
Back to the cookies. These are the cookies my children remember. When they were little I made them often. When my son was in the Navy, these are the cookies I sent to him when he lived back east and the cookies I made for him to take back when he was home on leave. I recently made a batch for him to take to work. "You're mom should make these and sell them!"
I can't take any credit. It's a great recipe.
This is not the best fancy staged picture. But oh, are they good!!!
Here's the recipe for you all!!! One thing to note. Since the published date is 1948 you have to remember one thing. Back then portions were small. No super sizing like we have today. So the least I do is double the recipe and most times I quadruple it. I also make them bigger than they suggest. I have found at our altitude (5,280 feet) 13 minutes is perfect. I also add a tablespoon more flour for each batch and smidge less baking powder. It's an altitude thing! " If you are anywhere near being a flatlander, you should do fine following the recipe just like it is. Oh, I also add more peanut butter than it calls for. To quote one of my favorite chefs, "how bad could that be?
Make them and please let me know how they turn out!!
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Happy Sewing on the Fourth Day
I've been attempting to more sewing done and also use up some of the many precuts I have stashed away. This is a Disappearing Nine Patch, a pattern I've made many of. Easy peasy. The fabric is Paris Flea Market, soft and romantic. I just have to add borders and quilt it up and it's done.
I laid it out on the couch to take a picture to send to a friend and like magic - dogs appear. This is Bonnie on the left and Allie on the right. We still have the Scotties, Maggie and Mollie but they are by no means as social as the pugs so it's more difficult to get their pictures.
Gotta go look for a lint (dog hair) brush!
I laid it out on the couch to take a picture to send to a friend and like magic - dogs appear. This is Bonnie on the left and Allie on the right. We still have the Scotties, Maggie and Mollie but they are by no means as social as the pugs so it's more difficult to get their pictures.
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