Glorious Gardening Days

The last two glorious days have been spent in the gardens. The pergola is especially beautiful at this time of year. The Silver Lace Vine and Sweet Autumn Clematis have helped to create a secret, peaceful and serene garden room.

We have celebrated many successes in the gardens during this growing season. As it goes in gardening.....we have also faced our struggles this year. Abnormal temperatures and ample rainfall have created a perfect environment for the growth of fungus and disease. The rose garden in particular has required a lot of extra work and still is not as pretty as usual. Other gardens and plants are thriving and are even more beautiful thanks to our weather conditions. It doesn't matter if you are a seasoned gardener or a first-timer....just remember that Mother Nature brings us the winter season for a reason! She wipes our slate clean and gives us a chance to improve upon our mistakes and to do something fantastic on her canvas once again!

Apple Pie

The apple trees are loaded...yum!! We received this recipe from our friend Barb. It is called "Swedish Apple Pie" but it is so easy I think it should be called "Busy Gardener Apple Pie"! Enjoy!!

Apple Slices

Sugar

Cinnamon

Oleo

Salt

1 Egg

Flour

Nuts

Fill a pie pan two-thirds full of apple slices. Sprinkle with 3 TBL. sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon. Cover with batter. To make batter mix 2/3 cup melted oleo, 1 cup sugar and a dash of salt. Add egg, 1 cup flour and 1/2 cup nuts. (I use walnuts) Spread evenly over apples and bake one hour at 350 degrees or until browned. Yummy with homemade vanilla ice cream!!!!

A Fall Day In August

If feels like fall is visiting us on this summer day! This weather puts me in the mood to create some more wonderful fall designs including this one! Freeze dried mini pumpkins, gourds and pumpkin peppers accented with indian corn and bittersweet.....a true celebration of the upcoming fall season!

We are glad everyone is enjoying the salsa recipe! Yes, it does make a large batch but it only lasts a few days in this house! Don't be afraid to halve the recipe if necessary. We love to grow unusual varieties of vegetables and flowers in our greenhouse and offer them for sale to our customers in the spring. Right now our beautiful fall mums are ready for your gardens and are affordably priced at only $5.00.

It's Tomato Time!!

Finally....at long last the tomatoes are ripening! The red Celebrity tomatoes are large and gorgeous! Two other plants were gifts from our friends Terry and Sheila- a Tomatillo and an Heirloom Variety called Cherokee Purple. Yum! Now it's time for fresh Salsa. Enjoy the recipe - it's our favorite!

Fresh Salsa

32 Medium Tomatoes

1/2 Cup Finely Chopped Fresh Cilantro

1 TBL Granulated Garlic

2 TBL Lime Juice

1 Cup Chopped Onion

1 Cup Chopped Peppers (I love to use "Fooled You" because they are mild)

1 1/2 TBL Salt

1 tsp Dried Oregano

Chop tomatoes and drain in a colander for a few minutes. (I chop everything in the food processor) Combine all ingredients and let marinate overnight. Serve with baked chips for a lowfat and healthy treat!

Red Hats On A Dreary Day

These lovely and delightful Red Hats brightened a cloudy day! Thanks for such a wonderful morning, ladies!! You girls know how to have fun!! You are an inspiration!

Morning Magic

Sometimes there is just some magic in the morning.....

that fills the whole day with peace and beauty.

Mark your calendar now!
Fall Open House
September 11, 12 and 13

This week's FAQ- Keep fertilizing those container gardens! If plants are beginning to look lanky just give them a trim and you will be rewarded with a new flush of growth. In a week or two you will be rewarded with a beautifully refreshed container garden! Calibrachoa (aka Million Bells) starts to look a little anemic at this time of year. Some pruning and an application or two of Miracid will perk them right up!

A Ride In The Sky

Sharing a "birds eye view" of part of our acreage with you!

My Delightful Surprise!

It's always delightful when a new plant rewards our love and care with it's gorgeous bloom!

This little beauty is called "Clianthus Formosus". A native Australian, this little guy seems quite happy in the outback of the prairie!

This lovely new introduction is Rudbeckia 'Cherry Brandy'. These cocoa colored blooms would stand out in a chocolate and vanilla themed garden. Hmm....

At a height of only knee high, these 'Big Smile' Sunflowers produce large six to eight inch blooms that deliver pure sunshine!