Counting Down to Christmas!

Less than 4 weeks til Christmas is what Cousin Nancy from ATL
is telling me...LISTS! Here is what she has to say...


Time to get serious about planning for Christmas. Having a strategy
will take the pressure off and minimize stress!

• Guests coming? What needs to be done to get ready?


• Christmas away? Get the gift list together & shop, Cyber-shopping today!


• Gifts to be mailed? Do so before rates go up!


• List: To do & To buy & Miscellaneous for odds & ends to remember

Here are a few more items to remember, break into small chunks of time(try www.e.ggtimer.com)

• Focus on decorating- your kids will remember this & ask "when are we putting the decorations up?"


• Cleaning- Get real about this...what can you hide or slide?


• Wrapping/labeling


• Christmas Cards- a few at a time, keep on Word/Excel file and save to "Christmas Jump Drive"...


• Meal planning...try shopping & cooking one day a week, don't forget the Crock Pot!


• Have "Emergency" items handy- toothbrushes, toiletries, guest room tidied, Stain kit, First Aid kit, extra small gifts for those you might have let slip!

Thanks Nancy!

Blessings from the Garden...

ML

How do you like it...

Short, long, squatty, chunky, skinny?

Sounds like a Waffle House order for your Christmas tree.

I had to post this because every year I struggle with choosing a Christmas tree.

For example, two years ago, I chose a tree that was very chunky and tall ...looked like

the perfect one to me!

Arrive home, unload from the pickup, drag to front door and it won't fit in the door!

I loaded it back up, and returned it to the tree lot. I've had many instances like this one,

and will share more with you this week.

Just knowing, though, that my 14 year old daughter is a good judge of tree "character"

is so comforting. She picked it out right away today. I was worried momentarily, but

when we finally shoved it in the door, it was perfect!

Blessings from the Garden.

ML

Going Teal (Green) for TDay...

Ok. I am a bit busy, so here is the link to last year's pre-Tday post!
We can all do better on this gluttonous holiday!

http://www.mlchgarden.com/2009/11/goingteal-for-tday.html

Blessings from the Garden.
ML

SuperFood:Swiss Chard

Sounds so fancy, doesn't it?

My father introduced me to this "better than spinach" veggie many years ago, before becoming such a popular ornamental(pretty) plant! 'Rainbow Chard' is pictured above. Yellow, red and green stems make up this variety. Another favorite of mine is 'Ruby Chard' with red stems.

I cook chard like spinach - a bit of chicken broth, some garlic, salt and pepper. Above, I placed chicken on bottom of dish, then mushrooms, broth and chard last on top. Covered with foil and finished the cooking chicken.

Chard has high percentages of vitamins A, K, and C. Like spinach, chard is easy to grow, and you can start it from seed in early spring.

So, put Swiss Chard on your list for spring planting, adding another SuperFood to your repertoire. You'll save a few bucks, too!

Blessings from the Garden.

ML

Less is More...

Doesn't the "less is more" phrase fit into many categories?
Fashion. Cosmetics. Decorating. Landscape.
It's true.

Yes, my taste for landscape is evolving, and I am not perfect in my choices by any means, but...
some of the re-landscaping that is happening now in the "Garden City" is a bit harsh on the eyes.


It seems that some are planting for planting's sake- instant gratification, filling the space. Why not leave a bit of space for the eye to rest on a specimen tree or a perfect perennial? Like a piece of artwork in your living room. I could grasp this concept a bit better if one were covering the lawn to say goodbye to weekly mowing (check out Eat Your Yard!), but that is not the case.

My plans for re-landscaping or updating my landscape include plants that I will enjoy bringing indoors such as camellias, grasses, and a host of perennials. This takes some thought, though, not just random planting.

Less is more.
Blessings from the Garden.
ML

Notes from Nancy: Are you ready?

Cousin Nancy gives us a few tips to get ready for Tday and Christmas!













How are holiday preparations going? A few more tips:

• double check your lists and adjust accordingly


• Travelling? Double check rules for carry on's & weight limits...reservations?


• Car maintenance- oil change, tires balanced & rotated, new wipers, wiper fluid?


• Emergency road kit in car? jumper cables, first aid kit?


• Make the list for Tday dinner if not already


• Stain kit ready for spills...club soda for red wine!


• Next weekend start decorating for Christmas, begin wrapping gifts


• Buy Christmas cards & start addressing(put in bright bucket as above, with all supplies)


• Take pics & reminisce about loved ones and Christmases past!

Most importantly, enjoy time with family & friends!

Next note from Nancy: "4 Weeks til Christmas!"

Thanks Nancy!

Blessings from the Garden...

ML

Stuffed Pumps continued...

Pics of Pumps

"Stuffed Pumpkins"

Lemonade out of Lemons, right?

Well, what do you make with leftover(actually, secretly set aside!) pumpkins?

Stuffed Pumpkins

Here is one of my recipes for Stuffed Pumpkin Centerpiece:

One beautiful spunky pumpkin grown at Hagler Farm

3-5 stems of flowering cabbages(pink & white)

several stems of beautiful fall millet

5-7 yellow with red tinge roses

a few stems of seeded eucalyptus

3 baby artichokes

3 lady apples

A pinch of this & a pinch of that...

Pick Up is on Tuesday any time after 1pm.

$35.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessings from the Garden.

ML

Punkin Chunkin

Hey.

Sam diffused some testosterone this week with some healthy, unreserved "Punkin Chunkin"!

Have you seen the show? I was engaged and amazed at the catapults, air cannons, and centrifugicals(?) shooting pumps yards away!

Once you've chunked or simply cut open your pumpkin this year, here is a great recipe sent from a regular reader...originally from Martha!

Pumpkin seeds are high in fiber, protien, zinc and essential amino acids...so know that you are eating something healthy...

Sweet & Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

1 medium pumpkin

5 Tablespoons sugar

1/4 t ground cumin

1/4 t ground cinnamon

1/4 t ground ginger

Pinch of cayenne pepper, to taste

1 1/2 Tablespoons peanut oil

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove pumpkin seeds from pumpkin, rinse seeds. Spread seeds evenly on to parchment paper, and bake until dry, stirring occasionally- about an hour. Let cool.

In a medium bowl combine 3 Tablespoons sugar, and the salt, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, & cayenne. Heat peanut oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add seeds and remaining 2 Tablespoons sugar. Cook until sugar melts and seeds begin to carmelize...about 45 to 60 seconds. Transfer to bowl with spice mixtureand stir to coat. Let cool. Store in airtight container for about up to one week...ENJOY!

And the Winner is...

MAGNIFICENT MARIA!

Maria took the win this month with almost 50% of the votes with Beckoning Brown and Sassy Sasser fetching a number of votes too!

Maria has friends, relatives and acquaintances from all over the world. The past few weeks have sent my "sitemeter" reeling!

She will recieve an MLCHgarden hand made Christmas wreath the week of December 6th! We'll post a follow up on Maria's Christmas decor!

Visit Maria's cozy website below:

www.ladolcevitathesweetlifewiththreesons.blogspot.com

Blessings from the Garden...
ML

PS. Tomorrow- Punkin Chunkin & pumpkin seed recipes!
PPS. Catch up on Notes from Nancy: Holiday prep on Wednesday...

Straight Up: Lavender Linen Spray

This week I took my Herbs for the Holidays presentation to 2 local prestigious garden clubs. I shared several ways to incorporate home-grown herbs in thier holiday cooking, gift giving and decorating...

As I was about to describe how to make "Lavender Linen Spray", one young woman (also ML) exclaimed that she "loves to iron" and enjoys using linen sprays while ironing her sheets! Now that is some kind of woman --ironing her sheets...Do you? Not me. I've sent them to be pressed a couple of times!

A great "home made" Christmas gift is "Lavender Linen Spray" , particularly when given to those of us with a 4 legged sleeping companion! Lavender is an indulgence that helps some feel a bit tired, thus bringing on restful sleep!

Here is the recipe and some ideas for containers:

Lavender Linen Spray

• 
  
  1 tsp. lavender essential oil


• 
  
  1/4 cup unflavored vodka


• 
  
  3 1/2 cups filtered/distilled water

Pour the distilled water into a fine mist spray bottle. Add drops of essential oil, then vodka, shake well. You're probably wondering why the vodka? It helps to disperse the oil and water together & speeds up the drying process on your sheets so they aren't stained or sour!

The Container Store sells all sorts of BPA free plastic containers and fine mist sprayers. I would suggest going with a 8oz. or 16 oz. bottle.

I've ordered some containers, and will report...

Blessings from the Garden.
ML

Porches on Parade...final days!

There are 3 days left in the Porches on Parade Contest. It's been close and the porch in 3rd place is gaining on the other two!

Like watching the Wimbledon...on the edge of my seat!



I'll announce the winner on Saturday morning here at MLCHgarden.com. The winning porch designer will recieve an MLCHgarden Christmas wreath for her front door or special indoor spot.



Here is the link, so VOTE!
Poll is on right side bar of website...


Blessings from the Garden.

ML

Top 10 Video Topics

Hey.

My creative team and I are working on a series of videos related to gardening.

What would you spend 3-5 minutes watching?

Click on COMMENTS below & let me know...

Blessings from the Garden.

ML

Christmas Prep

Don't believe that I am organized just because I get a post out most every day!

I must say, though, that cousin Nancy's Sunday Post has challenged me to get a jump on Christmas.

I have nothing to do this season, just create dozens of Thanksgiving centerpieces, host 6 Wreath Workshops, and produce a number of custom wreaths! So prior to the holiday plunge, I am actually trying to accomplish tasks that would otherwise be the week before Christmas!

So far here is what I have done & need to do:

DONE

• house pressure washed


• started "Hagler Thanksgiving" group on FB


• ordered Christmas cards(now that is shocking!)


• decided on 2 things I can make & give as Christmas gifts


• emailed my kids for thier Christmas lists(gets better every year)


• scheduled Gizmo's hair appt (gotta look & smell good for holidays!)

TO-DO

• assign menu items for TDay at farm(you wouldn't believe the food fest!)


• make sure house at farm is clean before Tday


• double check w/those not on FB re:Tday.


• Make Advent Wreath and share with readers


• complete online Cmas shopping for most of gifts


• assemble supplies for home made gifts


• finish Cmas gift buying list

OK, this is not ALL there is to do, but you get the point. Next Sunday,I'll share the two things I'll be giving as home made "garden" gifts.

Get Busy.

Blessings from the Garden.

ML

Are you smarter than a 3rd grader?

The answer is no, just older!

First, don't forget to vote for your favorite porch setup as posted on November 3rd

"Porches on Parade"

You may vote until November 12th, but why wait? All 3 styles reflect the unique personalities of the designers.

I was invited to speak to a group of 120 Third Graders at Lake Forest Hills elementary school this week. Though flattered, I was so nervous! They are studying herbs, so I gave an overview of gardening & herbs...

Sharing some of thier questions:

• What is your favorite flower? Nasturtium



• Your favorite tool? The Claw



• Do you use fertilizer? Yes, mostly organic and Llama poop (big laugh)!



• How much would you charge to make a garden? Hmmmm. depends on how big it is!

The teacher came by that afternoon bearing a gift certificate and 3 packs of nasturtium seeds! Great time with these kids, but I need more practice...my confidence level is much higher with adults...strange.

Well, to turn that around I am working on a Spring Garden Camp for Kids.

Not sure about details, but open to suggestions...

Blessings from the Garden.

ML

Special Delivery

Amazing how flowers in a pretty pot can make you feel like a Queen.

Special delivery today for a guy who has never sent flowers to his wife. Three shades of pink roses, green hypericum berries and camellia leaves and buds.

She almost fell on the floor!

Blessings from the Garden.

ML

Long lasting color

What are your favorite plants that crank out long lasting color for a season, maybe two?

Annuals? Perennials? Shrub? Tree?

This would be my favorite perennial, Hellaborus Orientalis or Lenten Rose

blooms early spring.

COLOR!!

Click on the "comment" link below to give me some answers...

Blessings from the Garden.

ML

Pumpkin Notes...

Whether you have a MLCHgarden grown pumpkin or a "store bought" one, just a couple of tips:

• Bring your pumpkin inside if temps go near freezing. Frozen pumps turn to mush!


• Save your pumps through Thanksgiving. Decorations keep the holidays festive.


• Rub a bit of olive oil on your pumps to keep them fresh looking.


• Use your pump as a container for flowers or greens for TDay!


• Save your seeds for baking/eating or for planting next year.

Blessings from the Garden.

ML

Fall Porches on Parade Wrap Up...

Magnificent Maria














Sassy Sasser



Ok, this is where the fun starts.
The "winner" of the Fall Porches on Parade contest will receive a fresh custom made MLCHgarden full & fluffy Christmas Wreath for her front door/mantle.


Vote for your favorite decorator at the "poll" located on the right side bar of this website!!!













Beckoning Brown





Blessings from the Garden.
ML

Augusta Area Master Gardeners

A great time Monday with the Augusta Area Master Gardeners at the annual Brown Bag Meeting. I was asked to speak about the "Orange Bulldog" pumpkins as their lunch program.








Best laid plans?

• I put this great PowerPoint program together last week with so many colorful pics.
  

• Loaded up some pumps for "show & tell".


• Practiced so I'd be perfect!
  

Well, worked out for an hour Monday morning(meeting at noon!), took a long, hot bath & attempted to download program to "jump drive" and didn't work..

Plan B ? Go to Daniel Village UPS/Copy store for 30 print outs of program! They gave me a "special" on color "flyers" ...flower budget busted.

The MG's had many questions about the process of growing a field of pumps:

1. What type of spray do you use for mildew?

None this year, that is what this variety was bred for.

2. How did you get involved in the field trial at UGA?

A connection of a local garden buddy(JIM). Jim put me in touch with the professor conducting the trials in 2006, and the seeds came my way!

3. What makes these pumpkins unique?

No two pumpkins are alike. They have deep ridges which makes them interesting to look at. Disease resistance. Beautiful for Thanksgiving. You can grow them in GA!

Tomorrow, 120 3rd Graders!
Blessings from the Garden.
ML

Holiday Organizing continues...

(This is my mother who would kill me if she knew!)

Cousin Nancy sends in more ideas this week to help keep us "perfectionist procrastinators" on top of the upcoming holiday season...


Thanksgiving is less than 4 weeks away and Christmas less than 8! Look at your calendar of Holiday Timeline at least once a week. Tweak as needed & get some things done now instead of later. Guests coming over the holidays? Some thoughts:

• touch up painting, house pressure washed
• clean baseboards, ceiling fans
• thorough dusting...bookshelves, backs of doors
• re-arrange furniture for a fresh, cozy look/feel
• check light fixtures and lamps for sprucing up...new shade? light bulbs?

How about your shopping? Make a gift list now. Check out Mary Louise's garden gift list. Don't forget teachers, coaches, babysitters, etc... Christmas card list? Start addressing envelopes & create a rough draft of your "Holiday Letter". The Goal? Get it done before Thanksgiving. All these little things you can do now so you'll relax & enjoy the holidays...

Thanks cousin Nancy!
Blessings from the Garden.
ML

Christmas List for U

Baffled by what a gardener or gardener wanna be might want for Christmas?


Fine print:
This is not my wish list & I am not soliciting gifts from readers. However, comments from readers on website would be the best gift to me...

1. Chipper/Shredder for home garden/yard. (This really is on my Cmas list!)

2. Another pair of Mary Jane (Kadee) Crocs for gardening- great because they are washable, bacteriostatic and odor resistant!
http://www.crocs.com/womens-footwear/women-footwear,default,sc.html

3. Pair of Atlas gloves

4. Interesting bird feeder & the food to go with it.

5. Stainless Kitchen Scrap bucket from Gardener's Supply

6. Georgia Gardening magazine or whatever state (State by State Publishers)

7. Urban Farm magazine

8. Statue of St. Fiacre- the patron saint of gardens and healing

9. Bird bath

10. Aluminum Hand Cultivator

More detail in upcomng posts.

Blessings from the Garden.

ML