The Good Soil!

Last Summer, (2012)  I experimented with a trash can composter.  I got the idea from this site among other articles I have read!  So I let the compost sit for most of the winter...adding some water occasionally.  Then in early spring I had some really good soil for some pots and my garden.  Success!

             Early Spring Garden :  lettuces, cilantro, radishes, Green Onions (from last year) and  spinach.

                                                Strawberries!

                                               Raspberries just beginning!

mmm!

13 Anniversary at Bethany Beach!

We went to spend the weekend with Mike's sister Kathy and her husband Billy.  It was a beautiful day at the beach!  We went to Indian River Inlet.

 On the way to the beach!

New bridge over the inlet!

 Mike and Billy in the ocean!

 Beach Bums!

 Watching the boats!

Mike and Me!

It's amazing!

If God wants something to grow....it will grow.   These little flowers just popped up in the strangest places!  Yet, I pamper some of my plants and they just don't make it,  we can't force growth!   Sometimes we just have to let things, people, situations be....give them to God .....and they will grow and change in His time!

It is finished!

I've been working on an acrylic painting of Roscoe, our dog who passed away two years ago. I started sketching him from a favorite photo awhile ago. It's a nice little memory of one of our favorite little friends.

Roscoe the big dog doggie!

Squash and Peaches

 We went to pick out some fresh peaches at farm in Dublin, MD.  I tried this new recipe which I recommend!

Cheescake-Stuffed Peaches  

Idea from Better Homes and Gardens August 2011 Mag. ( I made some changes to this recipe.)

 6 peaches, halved and pitted
1/4 cup butter, melted  (I only used 1/8 cup)
3 Tbsp.  Cinnamon-sugar*  ( I didn't use all of this)
1/2 of an 8oz pkg cream cheese softened
1/4 cup sugar ( I used 2 Tablespoons which is about 1/8 cup)
1 egg yolk
1 1/2  tsp. vanilla


1. Preheat oven to 350.  You will need a baking pan.
Trim a very thin slice from round side of each peach half so that they sit flat in the pan.
Dribble some melted butter on each peach half then sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture on the edges.
set aside.
2. In a medium mixing bowl beat cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth.  Spoon cream cheese mixture into peach centers. 
3. Bake, uncovered, about 30 minutes or until lightly browned and softened.  Serve warm or at room temperature.  

 I also love this recipe from Country Living Mag. April 2010 -Trisha Yearwood's Sister's recipe for Squash Casserole. I changed a few things in this recipe which are noted below.

Butter for greasing dish
2 pounds yellow summer squash trimmed and sliced 1/4 inch thick.  I used 2  large squash.
1/2 small sweet onion diced
1 tsp salt
1 large egg
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated parmisian cheese
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1/2 cup crushed butter crackers (8) such as Ritz


1. Preheat oven to350. Butter a 2 quart casserole dish.
2. Place squash and onion in a medium saucepan with medium heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt.  Cover and cook until tender.  
3. Drain and cool.  Make sure you drain most of the water out of squash.  I smooshed it around in the strainer to get the water out!
4. Put squash, egg, mayonnaise, cheddar and 1/2 teaspoon salt into and pepper into a bowl.  Use an electric mixer to blend together.  It should be a little chunky.
5. Pour squash mixture into prepared dish, top with cracker crumbs and then shredded parmisian, and bake for 30 minutes.  

Summer Path Completed

I love little paths that lead you along an interesting trail.   I had a stepping stone path in my yard that just stopped because I ran out of stones.  Mike called it, "The path to nowhere."  My parents visited last week and helped me finish the path.  Here are some flowers that you see along the way!  Thanks Mom and Dad!

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. (NIV)

Proverbs 4:18

Trash Can Composter

I have a big compost pile.  It is in the back corner of the yard but the hose doesn't reach it.  Therefore, it takes a very long time to break down.  So I decided to get my Dad's help ( he was visiting from Florida) to help me make a trash can compost.  He drilled some air holes in the sides of the trash can.  We read this article about a similar project.   http://organicgardening.about.com/od/compost/a/cancomposter.htm

We decided to drill smaller holes so we did not have to add the screening.  So far it is working well!  It is very easy to turn and can be placed wherever I want it.  I keep a large jar next to the sink in the kitchen.  I keep all my extra veggie scraps, egg shells and coffee grinds in it!   I add green matter to the soil daily.  This consits of  scraps, veggies, dead flowers and grass clippings.  I also add shredded (brown matter).  Cardboard, dry leaves, paper, coffee filters and grinds etc.  I need a ratio of 4:1  browns to greens.     Hopefully I will have some good compost soon!   I will let you know in about 4 weeks!

     God formed Man out of dirt from the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life. The Man came alive - a living soul!    Genesis 2:7.