Whether you say crocuses or croci, they’re looking lovely in Chicagoland. They’re just plain cheerful. The beginning of our gardens! Today, I spent about five hours adding compost, outlining a new bed or two, and trying my hand at growing poppies again. I’ve not had any luck with poppy seeds. Fingers crossed this year. I [...]
Oh, how I wish this were happening outside. That’s what is happening in my house… still cold, grey, and hibernating… Well, it’s not the Spring we had last year, with temperatures nice and mild. But there is not a doubt in my mind that we will have more light and the warmer temperatures will [...]
Chicago was 60 degrees yesterday, Jan 29th of the year 2013. Wow! I road my bike without a jacket. Very strange indeed. I had put out some extra sunflower seed for the wildlife and spent a good amount of time watching this squirrel “plant” a bed. We’ll see this summer if his efforts produce a [...]
Well winter really hasn’t hit Chicago much yet this year. In fact, a few lilacs were budding and thinking it Spring. EEEK! The kale, sage, thyme, and some snapdragons are going strong. That, I don’t mind. The fresh sage and thyme were great to have for the Thanksgiving feast! I did get some garlic in [...]
I love having flowers. If I can’t find anything from the garden, I often buy a bouquet. It seems to always be the case that one bunch of the entire bunch keeps fresher longer. This time these little daisies reigned champion, so i cut and placed them in varying sizes of jars, rejuvenating the bouquet! [...]
I’m always looking for something new to do with eggplants, it’s hard to not just make eggplant parmesan or baba ganoush all the time. This weekend we tried our hand at an eggplant bolognese recipe from Whole Foods. It needs a day to sit for the spices and flavor to reach it’s peak, but the [...]
My herbs are gigantic, so any idea I read or see concerning herbs sticks in my head. Latest and greatest is from 1,001 Ingenious Gardening Ideas, (page 204 if you’ve got the book). Harvest herbs of rosemary, thyme, oregano, parsley, and chive. Make sure all the herbs you harvest are between 5-8 inches in length. [...]
Making simple syrups with your herbs is very easy. Ingredients: 1/2 cup sugar 1 cup water A handful of your favorite herb Lemon, or Peach (as I did above with the rosemary) Heat sugar and water in a small saucepan til sugar dissolves. Add a few squeezes of fresh lemon and herbs. Let cool, strain, [...]
Today’s temperature is to break 100 degrees, I can think of nothing better than using the sun’s heat and some herbs from the garden and make sun tea. Growing up in Texas, we did this often; so to try it here in Chicago is a nice throwback to my youth. I’m using Chocolate mint, but [...]
I started a bit of lettuce. Luckily, it’s a romaine called Freckles that is heat tolerant. I thought I’d look up some new salad ideas and came across a minted bean salad from Vegetarian Times which sounds delightful. I share. 1/4 cup lemon juice 1/4 cup olive oil 1 clove garlic salt and pepper Whisk [...]