Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Gardening

Finally, I made some time for a little gardening! And oh, how happy I am to know that one of my beds is up to par.  Now if only I could keep the neighbor's stinkin' cats out!!! Mulched or not, they still come and dig in the soil and leave the nastiest little presents  {euwwwww yuk}


Here in another bed is a Siberian Iris. This was started I think two years ago from splitting one that had been given to me by my mother's friend, Margaret. I can't remember NOT knowing Margaret. She's no longer with us as she passed away several years ago now due to Cancer. I used  to stop in and see her from time to time or she would come over here.  We'd chat about gardening or our families. I'm fortunate to have reminders of her around my house. There are plants in the flowerbeds that came from her and the valance I have around my front porch was originally her idea. Her house in the neighboiring town and mine were the only ones around with a valance on the porch. People have told me how much they like mine and asked me if I had ever seen the one in S'ville. "Oh, yes", I'd say. She was my inspiration. {sigh} Sometimes I really miss Margaret.


You'll have to excuse the weeds. Isn't it pretty? I like them so much better than traditional Iris. The blades are so soft and delicate and grow in this compact "bush" which looks nice even after the blooms are gone. See the little gnome my mom gave me? She surprised me with it several years ago when she drove up. We were eating at a Cracker Barrel in Florida and I spotted this in the store, but couldn't take it on the plane. I really like her even though she is now faded and this year I found that the top of her hat has a hole in it!

Back to the cats... my husband bought Critter Ridder (Havahart) made mostly of black pepper oil. I spread it around the bed and alas, they still dug in the soil. SO, if you have any solutions perhaps maybe homemade repellants or the like, PLEASE leave me a comment. Happy gardening to you all!

Monday, May 7, 2012

A Little Getaway

Welcome to a new week. I hope you all enjoyed your weekend. I did!

Friday evening I dropped Wyatt (16) off at Trinity OPC in Hatboro, PA for 'preview weekend' for our church camp. He is a counselor for the
4-5-6 camp (that's grades 4,5,6) at French Creek Bible Conference.

After dropping him, I headed back over the river to south Jersey for a visit with my godparents. They graciously put me up for the night. I then spent all of Saturday with them. Aunt Linda and I visited a couple quilt shops near their house and had lunch at the most adorable restauant. The menu was not your typical fare... much more "gourmet" than most. I had a yummy  veggie burger (called Garden Burger), served with a beautiful side salad. Of course, I had ordered fries, too not that I needed them!


This is the entryway into the room where we ate...


and this is the room where we ate. It's actually an enclosed porch.
Beautiful place, huh?


If ever in Mount Holly, NJ you just have to visit
Robin's Nest Restaurant . You won't regret it!


Before lunch Aunt Linda showed me the local shop in beautiful Historic Burlington, NJ where Uncle Lee quilts when he's not quilting at home. He's a terrific quilter! He even runs one of the shop's many longarm machines that are available for use.
I'm ashamed to say that I didn't remember to take any pictures inside. There was much, too much to see and it slipped my mind. Here's one shot from inside the car...



To see better pics and much more, click this link for



Now this little shop in Mount Holly (around the corner from Robin's Nest) has a wonderful display of fabrics.
The Village Quilter has many quilts on display as you can see here and kits made on site to make your own. 
"Hi" Aunt Linda! Thanks again for everything - I had a really nice time visiting with you and Uncle Lee. We'll have to do it again sometime soon!


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

New recipe time!


It was a very dreary day here in NJ.  It rained most of the day.
On the upside... while running a few errands this morning, I stopped at the thrift store and found one of those cool umbrellas that have a duck head for a handle.


Isn't it cute?
and only 3 dollars!



When I got home, I remembered that I had rhubarb in the fridge SO,
with the weather the way it was, I thought...

what a perfect day to bake a pie!



Yummy! Rhubarb Custard Pie!
It looks a little like an omelet in this picture!

Although this was a new recipe,
I still baked two and oh boy, were they good!

Here's the recipe:

The custard is made up of 3 eggs, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix all that together and pour over a pound of rhubard cut into 1/4 inch chunks mixed with 3/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt (place this mixture in an unbaked pie shell).
Bake the pie for 45 to 50 minutes @ 350 degrees F.


Go ahead and give it a try. Leave me a comment - I'd love to hear what you think of it!