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, [...]
About a month ago, I rescued a day or two day old kitten left in our compost pile. It’s been my life hand raising little Eartha Kitty. Up to now, life has been in two to three hour segments for me, including sleep. Week three was a bit scary with a sickness and fever, but [...]
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 [...]
Nothing says summer quite like a sunflower. Lovely composites, made of many florets. I let these grow from the bird feeder this year, along with a florist bouquet that I planted with flowers ranging from reds and oranges. I look forward to seeing their smiling faces. There’s nothing more cheerful. In fact, this weekend while [...]
This spring and summer has seen everything bloom early, but never did I think I’d see a chrysanthemum have buds in JUNE! Many things have been surprising. The fact that peonies, iris, and rose are all over or giving us a last few blooms is a little different. While watering this morning, I even [...]
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 [...]
Iris are one of the most beautiful early blooms of the season. Once established, they need little care other than dividing every 3-4 years. Planting them in the right location is key. Plant iris in full sun, if you live in an extremely warm location, they can take part shade. Plant in a spot with [...]
I love columbine flowers, they vary in size and color and reseed naturally in almost any part of the garden sun or part shade. They bloom their second year in late spring/early summer. First year you’ll spot them as foliage, green/blue deeply lobed leaves in threes. Most plants have a lifespan of 3-5 years, but if [...]