The rhubarb is winding down. When picking rhubarb give the stalks a squeeze with your fingers, they should be firm if they feel spongy they are not good for eating. My neighbor behind me, Howard, told me I could come pick rhubarb. I was glad since I didn’t have enough to freeze. His rhubarb is [Read more...]
Strawberries, strawberries, strawberries… Most people ask what we did do get such a great yield. One word, “neglect”. A neighbor gave me a couple of plants 5-7 years ago. I stuck them in a corner of the garden; they did nothing, just sat there looking the same every year. Then 2 years ago my husband [Read more...]
This morning a baby bird fluttered to the front porch and brushed the screen in the door. It was sitting on the welcome mat looking at me. I got down on my knees and talked to him through the screen. He listened intently, cocking his head from side to side. I went to get my [Read more...]
My strawberries are GREAT this year! This is my first year I actually have enough to use, last year the chipmunks ate them all. Thanks to the cat, Shadow, that is no longer a problem. This morning I made a quick and easy strawberry dish, I forgot how delicious it is. You simply have to try [Read more...]
This salad is great to make ahead of time and perfect for a picnic or pot luck. Have grilled asparagus one night for dinner, grill extra asparagus and have this salad later in the week. Every time I make this I get rave reviews and everyone wants the recipe. I keep roasted red bell peppers prepared in the [Read more...]
I was never a fan of asparagus as a child and well into my adult life, until I made it grilled. The asparagus still has a crunch, but with a grilled flavor and it’s so easy to make. I’ll have my nieces over and they say, ” I don’t really like asparagus” and I tell them [Read more...]
What a busy time of year for the gardener! Finally, there aren’t any predicted days of frost; are we really past the frost free date? I will wait another week or so before I plant my basil-it likes it nice and warm. Farmer John did predict that May 9th, it would frost. When and how did [Read more...]
May is rhubarb month and my birthday month. Good thing, I usually wanted a rhubarb/strawberry cake when I was little or a rhubarb pie. I am making myself a birthday Rhubarb Custard Pie, my mouth is already watering. My husband says it looks like asparagus pie. Ha, he doesn’t know what he’s missing, more for [Read more...]
I was looking through the freezer to see what I still had left from last season and found a couple of bags of concord grapes that my friend Farmer John gave me. He intended to make wine but ran out of time. Maybe next year John? He rinsed the grapes, took them off the stem [Read more...]
It’s rhubarb time! My Grandmother had a HUGE rhubarb patch and made sauce, pies, jam etc. My family has continued the tradition of making this easy rhubarb sauce. My Mom added the strawberry jello to the original recipe, if you don’t have jello just add more sugar to taste. I had my niece Abbie helping me [Read more...]