My friend gave me this box;  she said when she saw it, it made her think of me.  I am totally flattered.

 

 

HAPPY JANUARY!!!

 

OK, maybe I am groping for bloggery subjects, but I thought you might like to see the very cool pan we use to cook our cornbread.  It only holds one-half the recipe, but it works great!!  Each piece is the right size for a serving, and the edges are crispy all the way around.  We love this cast iron pan;  I think it came from the thrift store.  

 

You can find the recipe for Janet's Cornbread in the recipe section.  Just look under breads.  

 

 

HAPPY COOKING!!!

 

It's winter, and the leaves are gone, but you still know this vine.  Now the question is this:  do you touch it?

 

I wouldn't, because it's poison ivy!!!  Easy to identify, even in winter:  hairy roots clinging tightly to the tree bark.  

 

Our weather has been so nice lately, and it's tempting to get outside and do a little clean up around the yard.  Just pay attention to vines, and if they are hairy like this, stay away.  A bad case of dermatitis would not be a happy way to start out the new year.  

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

This was our last sunset of 2024.  Today dawned a whole new year, giving us another chance to make a fresh start.  

 

We spent yesterday cleaning, washing, and getting ready for a new year.  And today we will cook black-eyed peas and cornbread for good luck in the new year.  Although if we were any more fortunate we wouldn't be able to stand ourselves.  

 

I hope this New Year will be full of love and everything good for all of us!

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 

 

 

My friend Roxanne makes these beautiful arrangements using greens and Christmas ornaments.  Every year they are different, each one more fantastic than the last.  

 

I am so glad I am on her nice list.  I love these.

 

 

HAPPY END OF DECEMBER!!!

 

I noticed that some of the Bradford Pears have lots of pears on them.  Yes, these are the fruits of Bradford Pears.  Each one is about the size of an olive, with rough skin and a light brown color.  

 

Here's the funny part:  they are edible, but taste terrible.  Sorta like crabapples, in that you CAN eat them, but probably don't want to.  They won't kill you, but they don't taste good.  I tasted one once, and that was enough for me.  

 

After a frost, the fruits get soft, and the birds eat them.  Then they disperse the seeds and new little trees grow everywhere.  Look up the next time you're out for a walk and notice how abundant they are.  

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

I dug out all the leeks and replanted some of them back in October.  They looked kinda sad for a while, especially with no rain.  But they have perked up and are looking good.

 

I should probably cover them with more straw or leaves to protect them over the winter.  Because I love it when they bloom in late spring.  I will let you know when that happens:  it is wonderful.

 

 

HAPPY WINTER GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

You know I am always looking for something pretty to write about.  On our walk one day, we stopped to talk to a neighbor, and I noticed his Nandina showing this beautiful fall color.  I knew it was a dwarf Nandina, but I couldn't remember the variety name.  I thought it was Firestorm, or something like that.

 

I looked it up in my North Carolina Gardener's Guide and found it:  Fire Power, with a note that says it gives the most winter color.  I love that about Nandinas:  they are beautiful all winter.  

 

I hope you see some in your travels.

 

HAPPY WINTER GARDENING!!!

 

This is one of five kales left in the garden.  They are all hanging in there.  We should have enough kale for the winter, and then in the spring they will bolt, sending up flowers and making seeds.  

 

Until then I will work hard to keep them alive.

 

 

HAPPY WINTER GARDENING!!!

 

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!!!

 

I hope Santa visited your house last night.  We didn't actually see him, but I know he was here, because our home was filled with love, and hope for the new year.  Oh wait, that didn't require Santa's touch, our home is always filled with love.  

 

But this morning, we felt that extra something special.

 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!