Austin's Tiny Open House

Austin's Tiny Open House This young mans hard work and determination are a good example for all American youth. Kudo's Austin!!!

Chocolate Babka « Relishing It

Chocolate Babka « Relishing It

I had to to send this to y'all! I've been looking for a recipe like this for years and I bet you would like it too!

FALL PLANTING IN SOUTH ALABAMA

This is the time of year when I start thinking of planting a lot of lettuce. My son and I are big salad eaters so I try and plant as many different varieties as I can find and have room for. I always plant in pots so I can easily cover with some landscape fabric if a hard freeze is expected and have never lost a pot of lettuce yet with this technique. I am sure it would not work in the north, but it will in the deep south.

Lettuce really detests hot weather so October is a great time for me to grow. I start seeds from middle Sept. throughout the fall, winter, up till March when I finally stop till fall again,. 

I use a good potting soil mixed with my own compost and a bit of sand to give a loose, free-flowing mix that will stay damp but not water logged. I never pull the plants but instead just cut enough leaves for a salad with my scissors. The lettuce will keep growing this way for months. 

If there is one thing I never run out of in the cool months it is leaf lettuce!

GROWING ONIONS FROM CASTOFFS

There really is nothing more frustrating that beginning dinner and discovering that you are out of onions! UGH! Onion powder or onion salt just doesn't always cut it when it comes to the flavor you want for certain dishes.

I live quite far from any supermarket and certain times of year I have no onions growing. I have no good place to store them here in the deep south where it stays warm much of the year so I had to think of a way to have some on hand when I needed them no matter what.

That is when I came upon the idea to sprout my own onion tops from the root end that I was always throwing into the compost bucket. 

It is so easy to do that you are going to be asking yourself, "now why didn't I think of that?"

I save a few of my tin cans for starting seeds and cuttings and this is what I use although you could use a pretty pot if you want. Just fill with a good, loose, potting soil, water well and then place a root end of any onion on top of the soil and press down. Allow the slice to dry out for a day or two before doing this.

In about a week or less you see some green shoots pushing their way out of the center of the slice of onion. You can use these as you would any scallions or chives in your recipes. Have fun with it!

No changes for Ala. spay & neuter clinics - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

No changes for Ala. spay & neuter clinics - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

This is wonderful! Myself and many others have been fighting for the low cost spay/neuter clinics in Alabama for 15 months now. I hope it lasts!

Flu Shot Being Forced on Health Workers | The Alliance for Natural Health USA

Flu Shot Being Forced on Health Workers | The Alliance for Natural Health USA

If I feel strongly about something I will post it here on my blog. Since everyone is entitled to their own opinion you may feel free to post it in the comments section.

FALL CLEANING OF BACK PORCH

I have so many plants to put up this time of year that it takes me a week of hard work. Between cleaning off the back porch and bringing the most tender inside,not to mention cleaning off two glass tables, chairs, sweeping (you get the idea)

I have finished half the porch but this is what I have left to do! UGH!

At least this part makes me smile. ;-)

Every year we put 6mil. plastic all around the back porch to use as a passive solar collector and to save on our electric bills since we heat with electric. Ever since we started doing this our electric bills dropped by half in the winter and we couldn't be happier. It is not a lot of work for Db and I to do without any help and we have a lot of fun as we do it since Db is a jokester and always will be. 

This is some of the cuttings I take every year. They are left on the back porch but I cover them with bubble wrap so that they are sort of in a greenhouse within a greenhouse. I've never lost a plant or cutting yet doing this.  Beware though, I am in zone 8 in southern AL and we don't have horrific winters here. Also, this porch faces southeast and is right next to a pond which also helps with moderating the temps. On top of that we are in a grove of giant bamboo (Moso) which cuts any wind, which we seldom get anyway since we sit in a valley.

This is a balcony that we built off of the middle of the back porch for barbecuing. It looks out over the pond, and a dock with a gazebo on the dock. Db and I have done everything ourselves to this place with the help of our son, Chad.

Well, break time is over so I better get back to work! Have a great day!

ALMOST PANSY PLANTING TIME!

Suncast Tiered Raised Garden Kit - Gardens & Flower Beds (Google Affiliate Ad)

Every November or late October I plant tons and tons of pots and all manner of containers filled with colorful Pansies to get me through the winter with a smile.

Living in the southern part of Alabama our winters are quite mild so gardening of some sort or another is always possible 365 days a year. Cool winter veges like Turnips, Collards, Spinach, all manner of lettuces and other greens sit right next to the pots of Pansies. They not only make me smile they also fill our bellies on a chilly winter evening in a pot of homemade vegetable soup with either a pan of cornbread, biscuits, or muffins.

IS A SHIPPING CONTAINER HOME FOR YOU?

When people are looking for affordable housing during these trying times in our economy, they now have a new form of DIY housing using shipping containers. Shipping containers can be had for around $1000.00-4000.00 each not counting the cost of getting it to you and the land to put it on. It would seem that this is a steal until you start to add up all the costs of turning this piece of steel into a home. First off is cutting openings for windows and doors as well as vents, etc. This takes a special cutting torch which very few people just happen to have on hand so you will either have to see if you can rent one with instruction on how to use it, or hire the work out. After you have the openings cut you have to find a way to frame them for your doors and windows which may not be so easy. Windows and doors are funny things and the slightest millimeter off in size or square can mean your window or door will not go in. Next you have to do your wiring, plumbing, insulation, drywall or paneling...believe me it can add up if you are not experienced in doing these things for yourself or cannot do them due to code laws in your area. If money is no object and you have your heart set on living in a revamped shipping container then I say, more power to you!

Keep Brown Sugar Soft

Keep Brown Sugar Soft: Brown sugar will get hard in a heart beat if you don't do something to keep the moisture in the container or bag. Here is a tip I use that really works and is pretty much free. 

I posted this to Thriftyfun.com recently.

CAKE. | events + design: cupcakes in a cup

CAKE. | events + design: cupcakes in a cup: This would be a wonderful idea for a ladies tea or party!~ Just make sure that you use oven proof mugs/cups. Then smile when you get the compliments as if you thought of it all by yourself! LOL!

Wednesday already???

Hard to believe we are in mid-week already. I have not accomplished as much as I had hoped what with a rainy weekend and now Db getting sick yesterday with what appears to be the flu. Thought I had enough time to get the Homeopathic Flu Nosode I buy every year but it started early this go-round. At 68 you can't be too careful with things like this so I am doctoring him up with all my alternative remedies. He seems to be better. Our son, Chad is helping Db's employee,Henry until he is up and around again. Thank God for this! No one ever said getting old was going to be easy now did they? I guess it is a lot better if you are rich. LOL! I'm taking cuttings of shrubs and getting the planting room and greenhouse ready for the January race. Some things have to be started very early. Well, I better get off my duff and get some lunch ready for our son when he gets in. Hope everyone has a great rest-of-the-week.