Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Bon Appetit


Bon Appetit shared 26 tips in their Cooking Manifesto. Here is one tip along with a dry rub we used this weekend on a large flat beef brisket. You can also cook the brisket in a low heat oven with same dry rub prep.  Blessings. ML 



Rule No. 4

Go ahead, rub it in

There is almost no piece of meat—except for a big, fat, expensive rib eye or porterhouse—that cannot be improved by a good dry rub. 
It's quick to assemble yet will pay you back in smoky dividends all summer long.






Beef Brisket
Submitted by Nature Boy
Ingredients:
1/2 cup coarse kosher or sea salt
1/3 cup black pepper
1/4 cup granulated garlic
1/4 cup ground mild chilies such as ancho or chimayo
2 tbsp celery seed
2 tsp cumin
1/2 cup beef broth
Optional: Wood Chips 
  • Most butcher shops can get whole "packer trimmed" briskets for you, though it often requires ordering in advance. In certain parts of the country all you can find are the small "flat" cuts, often in the 4 to 6-pound range, and while these will suffice, a whole brisket cooks up much better. A 4 to 6-pound "flat" cut will cook for approximately 8 to 10 hours; an 8 to 14-pound whole "packer trimmed" brisket will cook for approximately 14 to 18 hours
  • Trim the brisket of any fat that is thicker than one eighth-inch. It is very important to always slice brisket against the grain when serving. Identify which way the grain in the brisket runs and cut a notch in the end so you will know where to initiate the first cross-grain cut.
  • Place all of the seasonings in food processor or blender and pulse until thoroughly blended. Spread the rub generously over the brisket, wrap in foil or plactic wrap and let rest for one to two hours.
  • Set the EGG® up for indirect cooking with a plate setter at 250°F. Add in soaked wood chips (oak, hickory, apple or cherry) if you choose.
  • Cook until the internal temperature of the meat is 150°F, and then reduce the EGG temperature to 225°F. When the meat temperature approaches 185°F, begin checking for tenderness (insert a fork into the brisket and give a slight twist; if the meat gives easily without much resistance, then the meat is done). Wrap tightly in foil with a half-cup of beef broth and place in a warm ice chest for 1 to 3 hours. Slice brisket against the grain, reserving the juice to brush on or use as a dip.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Memorable Mother's Day








My sole request this Mother's Day was to have a family picnic at the 
Hagler Memorial Garden 
which is located in downtown Augusta
 at the corner of Telfair Street and Courthouse Lane. 

The Hagler Garden was established by John C. Hagler III 
honoring his late father, and 2 uncles.

We discovered the garden 9 years ago when my neice, Amelia, 
was working on a 2nd Grade Social Studies project.


When it was our turn for the project, 
we took pictures of the garden and enjoyed 
spending time talking about family history 
and playing in the fountain pool. 


Today we found the fountain has been removed, the pool dirty, 
yet the bones of a lovely garden. 

A few heavy benches, camellias and boxwoods would restore the garden 
back to "picture" perfect condition leaving a legacy for future generations.

There will be many more "Social" dances, family reunions 
and the Hagler Garden would be a memorable stop. 

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Home Garden Update May 2011

David Austin Rose
Home Garden Update
May 2011

A few blooms on the David Austin roses (above). Since I don't spray, 
I will use the Bayer 2:1 around the base for fertilizer and systemic fungicide. 


Elephant Garlic

My Elephant Garlic is about 4 feet tall and about
to produce a brilliant purple sphere,  will have to shed its hat!

Coral Honeysuckle

This one of my favorite vines because the hummers love to hang out here!

Hydrangea & My Collection of Blue & Green Bottles

I finally figured out after studying the location of my neighbor's hydrangeas, 
that they LOVE the morning sun!

This Burgandy Okra is perfect for boiling & Gumbo!

My tomatoes need staking, bush beans need fertilizing & there are 
plenty of impulse buys just waiting to be planted-if they survive! 

I'd love to post an update on your Home Garden. 
email me at mlchgarden.comcast.net
see you
ML

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Overwhelmed.

Kids are out of school, taking on new responsibilities, flowers for upcoming wedding
 and house not perfect...Sound familiar?
 Well, maybe not the details, but you get the picture...

The  remedy for "overload" is outside. Just a few steps away. 
The garden brings peace with no distractions and pure sweat (it's 90 outside today).
So, all the indoor tasks I'll work on after dark, but for today, I'll be outside. 

see you 
ML

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Garden Blogs: ML's Top 10/20

 The Blogging Barista, Laura Christianson, is giving my website a powerful facelift...skipping right over the Botox and right to the knife. Last week, Laura sent me a list of questions about my website- from the font style to the main purpose of the site. She's also designing a logo which you'll see on all marketing materials. 


This is an important step in my small business. I want the website to reflect not only gardening and floral design components, but also the health component- all with a Southern twist! I've done a bit of research to give her web-design team a head start. 


I started by reviewing P. Allen Smith's Top 20 Garden Blogs (Garden2Blog). P. Allen invited the top 20 garden bloggers in the nation to his home and gardens in Arkansas earlier this month. What better way to find ideas than to benchmark the best?! 






Here are 3 sites and my review- in no particular order! 


1.Southern Living's Grumpy Gardener
   Most likely you've read Steve Bender's cheeky articles in Southern Living magazine. I perused his blog, and       found him like-able(more so than in SL) based on his unrestrained writing. Although his brand is grumpy, his blog is not. Excellent articles that could be followed with a Facebook and/or Twitter share. Surely a potential for viral-ity!


2.Oakleaf Green's Garden Smackdown
  Completely new to me. Interesting banner- appears almost magical. LARGE print for my aging eyes. What is usually sidebar info is on the bottom of the blog...writing, blogs followed, etc..Dig deeper to find this guy to be a well traveled landscape designer...Too cute to have to hunt for his mug...


3.Evolved Mommy
  Hmmm. Interesting that Mommy has stepped out for a bit...Did she decide to move the kids to P.Allen's  place?




Ok. I remind myself that this is research for my new website not a cynical analysis with sarcastic jabs...Maybe you could help me determine the top 10?


17 more to go!
see you
ML

Monday, May 16, 2011

Garden to Grill & Somewhere in Between: Healthy Strawberry Shortcake

About this time of year, Robert's mother, Mary(a.k.a. Maw Maw), 
made the best Strawberry Shortcake. 
Strawberries are still in season and have been delightfully plump and sweet. 
Enjoy
ML

Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake


  • YIELD: 6 servings
  • COURSE: Desserts
Ingredients
  • 3 1/2 cups halved strawberries, divided
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup orange juice
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons chilled stick margarine or butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
  • Cooking spray
  • 6 tablespoons frozen reduced-calorie whipped topping, thawed
  • Whole strawberries (optional)

Preparation
  • Combine 1 cup strawberry halves, 1/3 cup sugar, orange juice, vanilla, and lemon juice in a bowl, and mash with a potato masher. Stir in 2 1/2 cups strawberry halves. Cover and chill.
  • Preheat oven to 425°.
  • Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl; cut in margarine with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add buttermilk, stirring just until moist (dough will be sticky).
  • Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead lightly 4 times with floured hands. Pat dough into a 6 x 4-inch rectangle. Cut dough into 6 squares. Place 1 inch apart on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
  • Split shortcakes in half horizontally using a serrated knife; place each bottom half on a dessert plate. Spoon 1/4 cup strawberry mixture over each bottom half. Top with shortcake tops; spoon 1/4 cup strawberry mixture over each top. Top each serving with 1 tablespoon whipped topping; garnish with whole strawberries, if desired.

Friday, May 13, 2011

FlowerCamp 2011

FlowerCamp is about experiencing flowers, fun, and fellowship.
Surrounded by 180 acres of Southern Pines, Campers will experiment
with fresh flowers, greens and grasses to create their own unique fall designs.

FlowerCamp stimulates the artistic spirit for beginning and experienced designers. Campers are guided by good natured designers and Master Gardeners.
Not only is FlowerCamp for your enjoyment, but it is a method of cultivating your creative perspective.

Camp begins at 11am & ends at 2pm. 
September Saturdays:
 9th ,16th, 23th & 30th
11am to 2pm

 Thursday September 15th & 22nd
 10:30am to 1:30pm 


Here are some details about your morning at FlowerCamp:
  • Directions will be mailed to you. It takes one hour from Augusta to get to Camp.

  • Dress comfortably. Tennis shoes, long pants, layers with sweat jacket or sweater depending on weather. May want to wear a hat.

  • You will have access to a cabin with a full kitchen, restrooms and plenty of rocking chairs and places to take a break!

  • There are no phones at FlowerCamp. Please bring a cell phone if you need to.

Registration is $65 per Camper and includes all materials, sumptuous catered lunch and refreshments.  Register via email, contact Mary Louise  mlchgarden@comcast.net. Check, cash or credit card accepted & will reserve your space. 

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

May 2011 Garden To Do's





may to-do's for Augusta area gardeners



this is the month that gives gardeners in our

area the "fix" we need to jump start summer!

here are some things to do this month:


* get your veggie garden in
don't worry about being perfect, just do it!


* whiteflies?
insecticidal soap on gardenias,yellow sticky
paper near infested plants,any other ideas?


* stake up tomatoes
maybe put in some teepees with small clay pots on tops..
pinch off little side shoot "suckers"


* plant corn, okra, beans, cucumbers, squash, and
southern peas from seed


* buy some dahlia bulbs to plant for late summer bloom

* sign up for FlowerCamp.
September/October openings won't last.

* mid-June Pumpkin planting time.

stay cool. 
ML

Thursday, May 5, 2011

A Southern Garden Mama's Must Haves: Resources

Along with a snappy hat, sunscreen & basic gardening tools, you need information. 
The internet is one great resource for all types of info, but I still like to have my books
because I don't have Internet in the garden or on the farm. 

A few Must Have's ...great Mother's Day gifts, too.

My friend, Annie, takes this one with her to the Garden store.


For all you Backyard Farmers




Wonderful author & speaker
Practical info for no-dig method of gardening



What are your favorite gardening resources?
Don't forget the UGA website for all sorts of info  & your local Extension office/website. 


see you. 
ML

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

The Basics: Southern Garden Mama Must Have's

The Basics for Garden Mamas

I'll share something with you that is personal. 
Skin cancer is not pretty.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month



Last year I had a basal cell carcinoma removed just above my upper lip. After waiting many months to have it removed, I finally mustered the courage to do it! The procedure took about 30 minutes but could have been a LOT less complicated if I'd had it done sooner. This skin cancer developed from teenage years spent in blazing sun. 

Advice to Garden Mamas
(check out these links)

Wear Sunscreen.
Don protective clothing.
Try a new hat



Hope to see you in the garden! Don't find yourself here...


ML

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Steal of the Week

I love herbs & really love to share them because 
they make such  purposeful gifts- even for brown thumbs!

Found this unbelieveable deal at Home Depot this weekend. 



Twenty bucks.


 Run in and snap one up for a aroma-licious teacher gift.

rosemary
humongous basil
jalapeno
oregano 
cilantro

see you
ML

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Sacred Heart Garden Festival

The annual Sacred Heart Garden Festival launched with a Preview Party held at the cultural center. Healthy BBQ and red wine in hand, I gazed at the landscape designs in the outside tent. It's obvious the "theme" for this year-- sustainability and good ole down to earth gardening.


Chickens, water features, corn, strawberries and rest stops- all incorporated in this year's garden designs. Congratulations to Jane Waldrop for her classic landscape design below as winner of the Bert Botts' Professional Award.

see you
ML
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