Category Archives: Garden & Yard

Snow & squash eggs

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IMG_6761There’s nothing like looking out and seeing my garden plot covered in a few inches of snow to get me in the seed buying mood. lol Seriously, it’s the truth.
Since we didn’t need to be out in the snow traveling around, I went shopping online for some squash seeds. I decided to buy some different ones that I’ve never tried to grow before; a Golden Egg hybrid and a Green Egg Hybrid. They’re supposed to be up to 5 inches when grown. It’ll be fun to see how they do and what they taste like.
I do like the fact that they are a relatively early producer. It gives me hope that I can harvest a few crops before the evil demon squash vine borer kills the plants.
geggsqua…..greneggsqua
Have you started making plans for a flower garden and/or vegetable garden?
I hope you all are keeping warm and staying safe during these snowy wintery days.

snowman…t09017

spgrnbgln

Snowberry Clear Wing Hummingbird Moth

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IMG_4598I was happy to see a Snowberry Clear Wing Hummingbird Moth feeding on my flowers. It’s quite a rare moth to see in my yard/garden. I tried to get some good photos of it to share, but it didn’t cooperate and most of them are blurry.IMG_4602

I have some photos from the first one of these I saw was in July of 2011. I felt special when it rested on a leaf like it was posing for me. I had shared these on my old enjoyingcreating blog in 2011. I figure it’s been 4 years and it’s okay for me to share them once again.P2070003P2050013P2050014

I hope you all have a special week of smiles.

humfeed

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Flash Freezing Bell Peppers for the winter

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1-IMG_4364I’ve harvested quite a few peppers this year. My husband has feasted heavily on the baby bells. Fortunately, there was several left to put up along with the big bell peppers.
Flash freezing and vacuum packing is my favorite chosen method for storing peppers.

Flash freezing is quite simple.
2-IMG_4392I wash the peppers, hull and de-seed them and chop them in to small pieces.
3-IMG_4383I spread the pepper pieces on a tray and put them in the freezer.
*I use my refrigerator freezer. I don’t have a cookie sheet small enough to fit in it, so I cut cardboard the width of it and then cover the cardboard with wax paper (or freezer paper sometimes).
4-IMG_4403It usually takes about a half hour for the peppers to freeze.
I write a date on the vacuum bags. I take the frozen pepper pieces out of the freezer and put them  in the vacuum bags. Seal the bags and put them in freezer to use at a later date.

I look forward to using these peppers in the wintertime in stir fries, soups, meat-loafs and oodles of other recipes.

Here’s wishing you all a fabulous harvest of smiles to
keep stored in your memory like rays of sunshine
to warm you during cold days of winter.
t09017chef-2snowman
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Garden Update – 7-21-2015

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IMG_3692We’ve had some gorgeous weather in between storms. The land is green and lush. It’ll be sad to see it going to sleep for the winter. Meanwhile, the view of our yard is lovely and refreshing to enjoy.

IMG_3591Our garden has just about fizzled out. It’s scraggly and long past it’s quaint look. We’re still getting a few veggies though. We’ve enjoyed our garden being small. It’s been easier to take care of and has been less stress to worry about.

Since our garden was so small (and a buffet for deer and rabbits this year), I’m not going to be putting up much of anything in the freezer, except maybe a few peppers, onions and maybe squash.

Wishing you all a gorgeous week of mild weather.
Happy Gardening!
madveggie
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