. . . a prayerful moment of silence for those affected by the earthquake and Tsunami.
Archive for March, 2011
A Quarter and a Pack of Seeds
March 14, 2011
I have partnered with Dinner Garden in a fund drive and you’re invited to help with this worthy cause. All you have to do is donate 25 cents, which will grow one garden for someone now, and a pack of seeds used to help someone grow a garden in the future.
Dinner Garden, featured in the Mar/Apr 2011 issue of Angels on Earth, a Guideposts Publication, is a non-profit organization that provides fruit and vegetable seeds free of charge to anyone in the United States who wants to grow a garden. Currently they are working to provide vegetable seeds to the thousands of students who only eat when they get free meals at school. With Dinner Garden’s Seeds for Kids program, Dinner Garden (www.dinnergarden.org) hopes to increase food security for families through gardening and to help lessen their dependence on public assistance.
What I like about this wonderful fund drive is that it’s affordable. These days most people are experiencing major cutbacks. But just about everyone can give 25 cents and a pack of seeds.
A Quarter and a Pack of Seeds begins today March 14 and ends March 31, 2011, midnight. Please feel free to invite your friends, neighbors, family members, and co-workers to take part. One-hundred percent of the collected funds and seeds will go to Dinner Garden in San Antonio, Texas.
All donations (a quarter and a pack of seeds) must be sent snail mail so be sure to email me (inthegarden@softcom.net) for details. It’s simple and only takes a few minutes.
I appreciate your support in the fight for hunger, in and around the garden. — Dianne
West Sacramento Tree Program
March 12, 2011Sacramento residents: GET 2 FREE 15 gal. Shade trees for your home or business. Come to the LAST FREE SHADE WORKSHOP this year on Weds. April 6th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at City Hall 1110 West Capitol Avenue, Sacramento CA. For more information go to http://www.westsactrees.org
Soulful Plotting
March 11, 2011
Horticulturist:
Scientists who use a variety of tools to study plants from fruits, vegetables, and flowers to ornamentals. Horticulturists may focus on a variety of issues, from fruit yield to appearance to the ability to endure cold or drought. They are interested in everything from plant genetics to breeding to aesthetics and may work everywhere from greenhouses to gardens to parks.
Epicurious on Fresh Produce
March 9, 2011
I came across a great website, Epicurious, that I thought you’d find helpful. Epicurious offers an interactive map that you can click on to see what fresh produce is available in your area at local markets. This nifty tool makes budgeting and everyday meal and special event planning easier. In addition, Epicurious also has recipes.
http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/seasonalcooking/farmtotable/seasonalingredientmap
Pet Lover’s Vacation Sites
March 7, 2011
It’s time for spring break and vacation planning. The March-April issue of Via AAA Traveler’s Companion shares readers’ favorite places to visit with pets. If you don’t receive this magazine, here’s the listing:
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Fort Bragg, CA. www.gardenbythesea.org
First Awakenings, Pacific Grove, CA. www.firstawakenings.net
The Forge in the Forest Restaurant, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA. www.forgeintheforest.com
Fort Funston, San Francisco, CA. www.sfdogparks.com/Fort_Funston.html
KC’s Downtown Grill, Windsor, CA. www.kcsdowntowngrill.com
Mill Creek Canyon, Salt Lake City. www.fs.fed.us/r4/uwc/recreation/wcnf/trails/slrd/dog_trails.shtml
Moss Beach Distillery, Moss Beach, CA. www.mossbeachdistillery.com
Tahoma Meadows B&B Cottages, Tahoma, CA. www.tabomameadows.com
For a Pet Packing Checklist and other tips go to: http://www.christinecolumbus.com/Petchecklist.asp
If you have a favorite pet-friendly vacation place please leave a comment. We’d like to know about it.
Soulful Plotting
March 4, 2011
Intercrop:
A crop which is grown with another crop but matures at a different rate.
Second-Time-Around Chicken Soup
March 2, 2011
There’s something about homemade soup that reminds me of country living, unassuming moments and earth friendly produce. Even though I’m just an okay cook, I make a mighty-fine pot of soup. Most soup recipes are my concoction, a mingling of day-old goodness in the CrockPot with two purposes in mind: using leftovers and preparing an easy meal.
I’ll look for any excuse to make a quick and simple dish, like when I thinned a few carrots from my crop. Rather than wasting the immature carrots, I decided to use them in homemade soup. These tiny carrots are tender and yummy and swim beautifully in a palatable broth amongst other vegetables.
Hot soup on a cold, wintry evening is the perfect solution to warm my family’s bodies and appease my laidback cooking preference.
Here’s my Second-Time-Around Chicken Soup recipe. It’s simple but mouthwatering.
Ingredients:
Note: Feel free to substitute any of the vegetables below with your favorites—day-old or fresh.
2- 32 oz. organic or homemade chicken broth
1 packet McCormick four cheese sauce mix
2 cups cooked extra wide egg noodles (or leftover cooked rice)
1 cup each petite peas and corn
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
1 cup cooked carrots, sliced thinly
Optional: Celery, petite onions, petite black beans, sour cream for garnish.
Instructions:
Note: Although, I prefer using a CrockPot a large stove top pot is adequate.
- Pour broth into pot.
- Add cheese sauce mix and blend with a wire wisp.
- Add above ingredients and heat thoroughly. If using a CrockPot set to least cooking time (mine is four hours). Check in two hours. If hot, keep CrockPot on warm until ready to serve.
- Garnish with a dollop of sour cream (optional) and serve your favorite fresh bread.
Makes 8-10 servings
In and Around the Garden 