Plastic Nursery Pots

How many of you out there have collected a few of the plastic nursery pots during your years of gardening?
Instead of disposing of them, help your local greenhouse be a bit more 'green' by returning the pots (clean and sanitized of course) so they can be used again.  This is a great way to keep all the black plastic from filling up a landfill and it will reduce the cost for your local grower.  If their costs are lower, you can hope they would pass those savings on to you, the consumer. 

Before you pitch an ugly plastic pot, think twice; and remember we all have a responsibility to live a little greener!

A New Shrub

Who doesn't love plant shopping on a beautiful Saturday afternoon?

Today, I picked up a new shrub, the "American Cranberry Bush" (viburnum trilobum) 

This beauty is a spring blooming shrub and produces small cranberry like berries at the end of the season.  Hardy to -50 degrees, the shrub can eventually grow to 5-6' tall and span an equal distance. 

This full sun loving beauty has a wonderfully rounded growing habit and makes a wonderful statement in any garden. 

I love garden shopping Saturdays!

Tuesday's Sandwich - Turkey Artichoke Panini

Tuesday's are busy days around our house, so we usually look for something quick and easy to have for dinner.  Tonight, it was one of our favorite sandwiches:  The Turkey Artichoke Panini. 

A close 'second' to the Turkey Artichoke available at Panera Bread, this grilled sandwich is sure to be a favorite. What's even better, one sandwich serving is only 133 calories! 

The recipe below makes one large sandwich (serves 4) that can be cut into four individual pieces.  One piece is more than enough!

Ingredients:

1 loaf pesto focaccia bread
8oz freshly sliced turkey
4 oz spinach artichoke spread
2 oz asiago cheese
1 small red onion thinly sliced
1 T olive oil
1 T balsamic vinegar
1 tomato sliced
salt and pepper to taste

1.  Preheat the paninni grill to medium temperature.  In a medium sauce pan, saute sliced red onion in olive oil until transparent.  Add balsamic vinegar and a pinch of salt and pepper. 

2.  Slice the loaf of focaccia half and halve each half of the loaf.  Layer the asiago cheese, onions, turkey, tomatoes and spinach artichoke spread onto one half of the focaccia bread. Close the face of the panini with the top half of the focaccia bread. 

3.  Add the panini to the preheated grill and press lightly.  For a thinner sandwich apply more pressure to the sandwich press while grilling.  Grill for 5-7 minutes on each side or until the cheese begins to melt. 

Serve this sandwich hot from the grill with your favorite soup, or your favorite chips.  

June Living - Get Ready for Summer!

When the June issue of Martha Stewart Living arrives, you know that summer is right around the corner. 

Grilling season is finally here, and the editors of Living provide six foolproof updates on summer griilling favorites that are sure to be recipes for every outdoor weekend.  Invite your friends, fire up the grill and throw the easiest kind of party. 

There are plenty of no-fuss smart strategies to make every get-together a breeze, starting with sunny, clever and crafty ways to decorate the table for any cocktail party, alfresco dinner or perfect picnic. 

Take a tip from the French:  when fruits are in season, bake them into tarts.  The June issue features eight gorgeous desserts that are easy to make and delicious.  Try a sour cherry clafoutis or roasted apple tartlets.  You will love them, as will your family and guests!

Martha invites you over for someo bocce, badminton, croquet or horeshoes.  Not sure how to play?  Martha gives you the rules, regulations, and a lot of ideas for outdoor fun with family and friends. 

There are plenty of tips from Martha, perfect summer "Good Things," and a lot of "Great Finds" from the editors.  Have a lazy pre-summer weekend planned?  Take some time with this issue and get ready for the season ahead.

Summer Holiday Decorating

In 2000, Martha Stewart featured the use of small parade flags, patriotic colored pull downs, red, white & blue garlands and buntings to decorate for Memorial Day and Independence Day.  The decorating ideas were featured on her daily Martha Stewart Living television show and were popular items in the Martha by Mail catalog and Martha Stewart Catalog for Living. 

Flash forward 10 years and Martha re-introduces us to the patriotic decorating technique with a new line of Summer Holiday decorations now available through Martha Stewart for Grandin Road. 

My new Grandin Road catalog arrived in the mail today and as I was flipping through, I saw the beautiful four page spread featuring the flags, bunting, garlands and more.  Something looked familiar.. it was one of the images used in the catalog.  I knew I saw it somewhere before and indeed, I was correct.. I went through my stack of Martha by Mail catalogs that I've saved over the years and the same image appeared on the cover of the summer, 2004 Catalog for Living (upper left corner of the above photo). 

At quite reasonable prices, you can show your patriotic spirit with a variety of swags, flags, buntings and garlands.  Also available are patriotic metal beverage tubs.  The tubs are a perfect way to keep beverages on ice during your summer entertaining. 

All of the summer decorating items from Martha Stewart for Grandin Road are proudly made in America by Annin and Company - the oldest and largest flag manufacturer in the United States. 

If you're looking for a little patriotic flair for your summer holidays, check out the entire collection from Martha Stewart on the Grandin Road website.  View the website HERE >>

Remembering the Boxcar Children

When I was very young, there was a book that I couldn’t put down; The Boxcar Children. Nearly 50 years later, I still remember that book as if it was yesterday. Who knew one book would stick with me for so very long?

The Boxcar Children is a literary franchise originally created and written by American writer and first grade school teacher Gertrude Chandler Warner.

Originally published in 1924 by Rand McNally and reissued in 1942, the novel “The Boxcar Children” tells the story of four orphaned children, Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny, who run away and create a home for themselves in an abandoned boxcar in the forest. The story follows the four children as they make the boxcar their home while facing many challenges. It’s a heartwarming story as the children are eventually united with their Grandfather who gives them a new life full of adventure.

The franchise grew from that first book to now over 100 titles aimed at readers in grades 2-6.

I was always taken by the simple, black and white cut illustrations throughout the book. I remember looking at the illustrations over and over again, often replicating them during art class or creating my own just doodling on a piece of paper.

The Boxcar Children series is still available. I encourage all parents, or grandparents of age appropriate children to share these wonderful books. I’m sure your children will love them as much as I did.

May Garden Update

Here in our area, April was the second warmest on record.  We had several 80 degree days, and numerous 70 degree days which prompted the gardens to grow much faster than usual. 

The month of May brings our "frost free" date (a couple weeks away), and it's a month of amazing growth.  Here's a look at some of the garden residents this afternoon:

This beautiful HUGE Hosta is one of my favorites.  The bright colored leaves just 'pop' in the shade garden.  (once the leaves all come out on the trees, it will be shady!)

Wild violets find their way into some of the silliest places.  Here they've popped up in the garden path.

The large woodland ferns are growing so fast you can almost see it happening before your eyes!

A beautiful, stray Columbine plant shows off it's spectacular beauty. 

The Hydrangea bushes are growing rapidly as well.  I'm hoping we do not get a frost.. I'll have to cover these precious plants if one is predicted.  The bushes are going to be huge this year!  My secret:  Plantone all natural fertilizer.

The lillies are growing almost as fast as the ferns!  Last year, these plants gave me so many vases of beautiful flowers.

Feeling vintage?  Hollyhocks are perfect for that old vintage feel!

Another Hosta going strong!

Small violas, lush and beautiful. 

I wasn't sure if this Astilbe would survive the winter, but it did and it's looking great!

The Delphinium is loving all the warm weather!  I can't wait to see the beautiful blue spikes of flowers!

Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do! 

Raspberry vines are growing strong next to an old metal storage shed.  These things multiply like crazy! I think there will be more jelly in my future!

A small bed of Iris getting ready to bloom.

The Trumpet Vines are leafing out.  Soon they'll be growing all over the place!

Another big Hosta.  Can you tell I like Hosta?

The Lady's Mantle continues to grow. 

A few of the Iris that are blooming.  These are closer to the house.

Another gorgeous Columbine.  The color is a deep, deep maroon.  I let it self seed every year.

New Furniture Lines from Martha Stewart Living

The Martha Stewart Living brand at The Home Depot continues to grow with two new indoor furniture designs being sold through the Home Decorators Collection, an online and print catalog retailer. The Home Decorators Collection is a division of The Home Depot, Inc.

The two lines combine high style with the highest quality possible for ready-to-assemble (RTE) furniture. Unlike many other RTE furniture lines which use particle board covered with a laminate, the Martha Stewart Living furniture uses solid wood and hardwood veneer construction to stand up to the test of time and durability.

The Ingrid Collection

Add vintage charm to your home with the Ingrid Collection. The furniture in this line features a smooth almond finish that reflects ambient light in a soft, warm glow. The neutral color compliments the sophisticated yet simple design and makes it perfect for the bedroom, dining room, or home office.

The Larsson Collection

Sleek and sophisticated, the Larsson Collection is a contemporary turn on some classic designs. With its striking, exceptionally smooth carbon black finish and pewter finish hardware, the pieces in this collection can be dressed up or dressed down to fit any decorating style

Both furniture lines will be featured in the June Home Decorators Collection catalog as well as being available on their website. View the website here >>