tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41003164419346742382022-07-01T09:12:22.774-04:00Relax with me and my GardenDonnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.comBlogger191125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-69816550530424937912013-04-22T14:31:00.000-04:002013-04-22T14:31:24.820-04:00

One of my favorite reminders that Winter is over and warmer days are on their way.....hopefully.

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-74710631852128858842013-04-16T22:41:00.002-04:002013-04-16T22:41:43.818-04:00

Tomatoes are almost done being potted up. The last of the sprouted varieties will get transplanted for the first time tomorrow. The newly germinated will probably take another two weeks before they get potted up. Then it will be another week or two beyond that before the weather is right for hardening and finding their homes in the garden. This year, so far, 12 out of 16 varieties of tomatoes

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-27419150584138722772013-03-21T16:13:00.000-04:002013-03-21T16:13:27.071-04:00

So,the Spring has finally sprung. Of course it is snowing at the moment, but it is Spring never the Less. My peppers have germinated and been mostly potted up. And today we sowed tomato and eggplant seeds....hoosah!! Summer is on it's way!!! I should knock on wood here though, as last time we talked about Spring coming, two days later we had the snow storm of a lifetime and my little corner of

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-45916907402075196212013-02-05T14:03:00.000-05:002013-02-05T14:03:34.217-05:00

So here we are, slogging thru the dead of Winter, and Spring seems like it is a million miles away. Sadly, tomatoes would then be a billion miles away...heavy sigh. So, it's been a long while since we've talked. I have definitely been horrible about keeping up here. Last years tomato crop being decimated by opposums didn't help that case any either. As excited as I was to have fantastic

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-87176369857934454972012-04-10T15:57:00.000-04:002012-04-10T15:57:34.432-04:00

Yahooo it's Tomato time again!!! Not only did all varieties of my tomatoes sprout....but 90% of them have gone thru their first pot up. Okay, I know that this is a less than amazing proclamation, but I have been less than enthusiastic about my seedlings this season. A combination of the weird Non-Winter...and my youngest child turning 18 have gotten me in a twist. But my seeds have changed all of

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-68568553717042214052012-03-15T20:52:00.002-04:002012-03-15T21:13:14.676-04:00

Its that time of year again...seed sowing time!! I feel horrible about my lack of posting throughout the Autumn and Winter months but that was due to a touch of the blues. My spirits are definitely better now. So, onto the seeds.... I really haven't done much beyond chosing the pepper, eggplant and tomato varieties that will grace the garden this season. Unfortunately I cant remember all the

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-36577384205565683322011-08-26T20:20:00.002-04:002011-08-26T20:35:14.558-04:00

Here we go again with Weather Gone Wild 2011 version.First it was snowstorm after snow storm dumping 12" plus every week....now it's the Hurricane from Hell. Never a dull moment here in bucolic New England.I will admit that we here in the Northeast may know our way around a blizzard, but it has been....what....25 years since the last real Hurricane. That one would have been Gloria, and I would

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-70737937784357075472011-08-09T23:14:00.006-04:002011-08-10T02:13:45.405-04:00

So ....Summer has been speeding forward at a crazy pace. This is my youngest daughters last real Summer vacation as she is entering her Senior year of high school at the end of the month. What that means is....I am an emotional wreck. I am happy that she is healthy and happy and doing well in school, but at the same time I am sorry to see my last baby so close to being an adult.Oh well, you guys

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-25731841976955500962011-06-09T23:48:00.011-04:002011-06-30T22:36:32.132-04:00

Finally....everybody who is going to be in the garden this year is in the garden.It had been one nasty bummer of an early season. Just like two years ago, there was the 3 weeks of gray skies, cold night temperatures and rain and/or dampness. But I learned my lesson from Spring 2009 and I didn't try to force my babies to adapt to the nasty wet weather only to end up with weird leaf issues. Nope, I

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-50261171962988930672011-05-11T22:12:00.000-04:002011-05-13T16:33:10.647-04:00

Sad to say, my one little Paul Robeson sprout didn't make it. Try as it might, the poor little thing just never had it in him. I had fingers and toes crossed, and coaxed him a bit every chance I got, but still no luck. And to think, this was my only Black when ripe tomato for this season ....oh well....what can you do.I sure am going to miss having those succulent, deep,dark, smoky, wonderful,

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-54487037409269990962011-04-21T23:17:00.003-04:002011-04-21T23:50:37.899-04:00

And they're off!!The list of sprouted and potted up tomato varieties for 2011 is finally in.It was a rocky start this season as the room that they are started in absolutely refused to heat up(I need new windows throughout the house and I am hoping that will keep our house warm in the Winter)Then the 3 special colored tomato varieties....orange, black, and green when ripe... I sowed, decided to be

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-76449571767979067322011-04-18T16:16:00.006-04:002011-04-19T00:03:43.022-04:00

Just wanted to check in and show off some of the beauties popping up around my little piece of the Earth!!I am so happy....these are the gorgeous Hyacinths that my sister gave me for Easter 2 seasons ago. Normally Hyacinths(which happen to be my favorite Spring scent) don't do well for me. Now I know from working in the biz from so many years that the big lush hyacinth blooms we get from our

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-79027662672162130552011-04-06T15:41:00.002-04:002011-04-06T15:47:40.652-04:00

Phew...all of the tomato seedlings that graced my life by sprouting and growing , have been potted up. There were a few disappointments with my special tomato varieties (not that all of the varieties I grow aren't special...) but I will weather that storm.It seems that somewhere along the line I have acquired too many tomato varieties to actually grow. I set a 7 year age limit on my seed last

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-64745295265329262772011-03-10T00:05:00.002-05:002011-03-10T00:08:59.667-05:00

I know I have been absent as of late. I promise I haven't forgotten this place....nor my love of a good tomato. This Winter has taken it's toll on me and most of the people around me. I am in the process of sowing my seeds for the upcoming veggies season and will get back here with a list of what is sown after a few things that are going on in my life settle a bit. I would love to hear from

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-25240674853011434892010-11-08T10:57:00.005-05:002011-01-05T16:11:36.913-05:00

*Sorry that this post comes so late....I know I pressed the post button back in November but I guess some higher power didn't want it out there Hahaha!This is what I woke up to this morning.I went out in the snowing and blowing and picked the last teeny tiny eggplant that had finally decided to bear fruit....and pulled the plants.I checked the Brussel Sprouts(Brussels Sprout...you tell me)and

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-35199002453063358202010-11-03T12:32:00.004-04:002010-11-03T12:43:48.205-04:00

I know that this is a Veggie Blog.And we will soon be back to our scheduled Tomato report.However my daughter just brought me some beautiful bulk Venison Sausage from a Buck my Son-in -Law got, and I just had to share the tasty results(well... almost, I took the shot of them raw, and then we ate them before I remembered I needed another picture). I am lucky enough to have a Sausage Stuffing

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-16955045728961069732010-10-28T14:56:00.006-04:002010-10-28T23:44:15.158-04:00

The beans are still growing.Amazing....I know.At one point this summer, after our 6th or 7th meal based on Green beans, and after I had given them away to at least 3 different people, the Kentucky Wonder plants looked like they had seen better days. I didn't mind though, as these beans had gone above and beyond the call of duty for my family. I bid them a fond farewell and vowed to plant again. A

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-67472674103946855752010-09-28T13:33:00.004-04:002010-09-28T13:43:48.123-04:00

These are two , not so good pictures, of that Purple Calabash I was telling you all about. It is truly a beautiful little tomato. And I know there are people who want a really sour and acidic tomato. So if that is you, I definitely recommend this guy to you. If you like a less 'IN YOUR FACE' tomato....think twice about growing Purple Calabash.

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-30175067210740037642010-09-21T23:11:00.003-04:002010-09-21T23:24:19.111-04:00

Okay.So this is not in any way part of my 'Tomatoes on Parade' posting for this season. There is still at least a month before that rolls around. But I had to post. I just absolutely could not resist. I was drawn in.....Purple Calabash is the most unusually lovely tomato I have ever seen. Squat and ruffled like a tiny pumpkin, and a lovely dusky, shiny purple in color. I am sorry I have no

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-33648417931742853432010-09-14T22:43:00.002-04:002010-09-14T22:56:07.482-04:00

This has been a strange Summer in my garden. Everything grew soooo slowly. I thought it would be the exact opposite due to our warmer than usual July. But no. So posting here and trying to be enthusiastic was more than I could do. I only got a handful of cucumbers before the plants withered and plopped....my tomatoes came in sporadically and never really got going . I guess that is because of the

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-2408327526670573982010-08-02T19:44:00.005-04:002010-08-02T21:34:47.790-04:00

Here we are, the first week of August. I can't believe how quickly this year is flying by. Okay, truth be told, since the birth of my first baby 20 years ago I have been bemoaning the fleet passage of time,so I shouldn't be Surprised that another year has gotten behind me.I am hoping that everyone is pulling in bushels upon bushels of fresh home grown goodness.Now if you are like me and you

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-63973279601839672092010-07-16T01:26:00.004-04:002010-07-19T21:04:54.683-04:00

So here is what my Kale looked like when it was done cooking. Okay I guess maybe it isn't all that pretty to look at, but man was it good. Savory and smoky form the ham hock....garlic-y from the few loose cloves I had that I threw in, and just a hint of heat at the end from the dash of home grown and dried red pepper flakes that I tossed in. I will definitely do this again. And now that I know it

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-49012688977809681332010-07-14T15:42:00.003-04:002010-07-14T15:53:24.736-04:00

Last Thanksgiving, a wonderful neighbor of mine gave me a couple of bunches of Collards to contribute to my Thanksgiving meal. I being a New England Gal for my entire life have never cooked Collards. So with my trusty computer online, I diligently searched out what looked like the tastiest and easiest Collard Cooking Recipe.It was a hit.Hardly any of those greens hit the table. Everyone had to

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-79818458531408817042010-06-06T12:30:00.002-04:002010-06-07T14:49:13.302-04:00

I made this Garlic Scape Pesto last Thursday to use on shrimp and Fettucini for a quick fix supper. Sadly that never happened . You see, almost as soon as I finished taking these pictures I became overwhelmingly dizzy and violently ill. I ended up being carted away to the Emergency room in the back of an ambulance. Pneumonia. Can you believe it. Here it is, one of the most gorgeous weeks I have

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4100316441934674238.post-91634413542196509662010-06-01T15:35:00.002-04:002010-06-01T15:57:47.128-04:00

  That's right folks. It's Garlic Scape season again!! I am going to do them up pretty much the same way I did them last season. A quick blanch, a little sauteing for color and flavor,  a splash of Balsamic, and eat.My only hope is that I wasn't too aggressive while removing the scapes. I usually just snip them off as low as I can. But I have read some farmers postings and they suggest pulling

Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14305865692370072088noreply@blogger.com0