Monthly Archives: March 2011

#thismorning

Posted by Lesley on March 30, 2011 None comments

#this morning is trending on Twitter, so I thought I’d go with it.  The weather is a bit sporadic with bursts of sun, shade, and extreme winds.  The temperature is much more mild at 78 degrees, and just about everything is blooming.  The sunflowers, in particular, are special because I didn’t plant them.  It’s great when the plants take it upon themselves to grow.   

This one and another popped up in two separate squares, while the sqash is trying to break out of its square.

And there are three late blooming Amaryllises starting to open.

#thismorning is good. 

Upcoming Classes at Phillippi Mansion

Posted by Lesley on March 29, 2011 None comments

I had a blast learning how to keep bees last week, but the how-to on keeping chickens will have to wait.  Chicken 101 was sold out by the time I went to register.  It’s not surprising since the city passed an ordinance in January allowing residents to keep up to four chickens per backyard.  But no roosters allowed!  They can’t keep their beaks shut. 

Chicken 101 is being offered through the Sarasota County Extension office so expect more classes to be scheduled.  The four-hour class costs $15; I’ll post an update on Facebook and Twitter when they schedule another one. 

For now, check out a free class at Phillippi Mansion.  The mansion itself is a gorgeous and historic setting, but take some time afterward to walk the hammock trail, let the kids explore the exceptionally cool playground and/or shop the farmers market.  Even if you’re not local, it’s worth a day trip. 

Class Schedule

March 30, 2011 at noon
The Healthy Home
Betty Alpaugh, Education Specialist

Americans spend more than 90% of their time indoors where air quality is often ten times more polluted than outdoors.  Fortunately, this is one health risk that we can reduce by learning how to improve the environmental quality inside our homes.  This class will discuss how families can make their homes safer, healthier and more comfortable by choosing more sustainable materials and maintenance methods.  (1 hour class)

April 6, 2011 at noon
Herb Gardening
Robert Kluson, Ph.D., Extension Agent
 
Florida vegetable gardening includes many potential herb crops. Learn which herbs are best suited to Sarasota County and seasons. (1 hour class)

April 13, 2011 at noon
Irrigation Display and Demo
Angela Antonucci, Program Specialist
 
Do you know how your irrigation system works? If you did, you would know about the water savings you could have each and every month by becoming a “water wizard.” Learn how to calibrate and set your time clock and fix problems. (1 hour class)

April 20, 2011 at noon
Fruit Trees for Sarasota County
Robert Kluson, Ph.D., Extension Agent
 
Florida food gardening includes many potential fruit crops. Learn which fruits are best suited to Sarasota County and seasons. (1 hour class)

April 27, 2011 at noon
Turf Alternatives
Angelo Randaci, Extension Agent

Florida Friendly Landscaping means using low-maintenance plants and environmentally sustainable practices. We will explore options to turf that will create a beautiful landscape, while helping to protect Sarasota County’s natural resources.  (1 hour class)

Useful Links:

Spruce up with Swiss Chard Stalks

Posted by Lesley on March 28, 2011 2 comments

I picked up a bunch of rainbow Swiss chard at the farmers market on Wednesday.  Although we grew Swiss chard a couple years ago, it’s not something I normally cook.  But it looked good, and thanks to the internet; there’s always a recipe to be found.  Working with the ingredients I had on hand, most of the recipes called only for the leaves.  But it seemed a shame to wasted those colorful stalks, so I cleaned them up and placed them in a vase filled with amaryllises.   

Love it!  So much so that when this one got droopy, I downsized it and arranged another.

In most flower shop bouquets, you don’t see stems.  Swiss chard stalks are something cheap and simple to quickly hide your stems and elevate your garden bouquet to pro status.  I used rocks to keep the stalks and flowers in place. 

So simple…happy arranging!   

{this moment} Bayfront Park at Sunset

Posted by Lesley on March 25, 2011 2 comments

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  -Soulemama

Beekeeping

Posted by Lesley on March 24, 2011 4 comments

I want to keep bees!  A free class on honeybee keeping offered through the Sarasota County Extension has me inspired, although it may have to wait until after next winter.  Apparently bees sell out, and it’s near the end of bee season.  But if you can find bees now, with only one box you could have three gallons of honey or more by Christmas. 

It costs about $300 to start beekeeping, but there are no recurring costs.  If I decide to do this, I’m splurging on the $50 jacket that has the big netted hood attached…bees crawl.  They also roam up to three miles.  Beware of buying organically labeled honey because it’s hard to guarantee that the bees haven’t fed on a plant that’s been sprayed. 

Florida is a honey haven because the bees have so many options – maples, citrus trees, black mangroves, wildflowers, even Brazilian peppers-a non-native invasive species universally disliked by Floridians-all provide honey flows.  A honey flow is bee keeper talk for the combination of nice weather and abundant nectar from one source. 

One of the instructors, Betsy Roberts, is a gardener in addition to being a master beekeeper.  She handed out a list of native plants that provide pollen to the bees.  Among the list were quite a few that I have or have had in my garden – aster, tickweed, salvia, coneflower, morning glory, blueberry, and sunflower.  Two plants that were on the list and came up in class as good pollen sources were spiderwort and partridge pea.      

Roberts was also covered in bees!  Here’s a close-up of her pants:

For more information on bee keeping in Florida, visit the Suncoast Beekeepers Association.

Corner View: Four-legged

Posted by Lesley on March 23, 2011 4 comments

“These aren’t arms?”   -Luke

The term “four-legged” would probably insult my dog, Luke.  It would imply he’s some sort of animal, and he tries very hard to separate himself from that title.  He sits with his paws crossed.  He never sticks his head out the car window.  And he will not sit on anything cold or dirty.  I’ve actually watched him fake-sit on the pavement.  He hovers without making contact.  

My family has a long history of four-leggeds thinking they’re two-leggeds.  It started 25-years ago with a dog named Buddy who opened doors and spit pickles and pills and continues today with Luke who cries to go inside and thinks he should get the pillow.

I knew Luke was special when John hid a pill in his food the second day we had him.  I went to pick up the bowl when he was finished eating.  It was wiped clean with the exception of one pill.  I couldn’t do anything else but laugh and think of Buddy.  My father would surgically insert pills into hot dogs and throw them to her.  She’d chomp, chomp, chomp, swallow the hot dog, then spit out the pill…every time.  To this day, it’s the best dog trick I’ve ever seen.  She could do it with Whoppers too, just sub out the pill for a pickle.  My sister used to take her to the Burger King drive thru.  Lettuce, tomato, no problem, but pickles were out.    Luke prefers to dine-in.  Here he is at The Panini Press too stuffed to finish his gourmet dog biscuit.

Corner View is a weekly appointment – each Wednesday – created by Jane, where bloggers from all corners of the world share their view on a pre-arranged theme.

World Down Syndrome Day

Posted by Lesley on March 21, 2011 None comments

I just opened this email from Manasota BUDS:

3-21-11 marks the 6th anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day and each year the voice of people with Down syndrome, and those who live and work with them, grows louder.

Manasota BUDS encourages members to share stories of their loved ones on the BUDS Facebook page and Google discussion group.  

The milestones, accomplishments, and great moments from the past year.  

No problem; the timing couldn’t be better.  I spent yesterday with the most wonderful, sweet, funny, joyful little girl I know…who also happens to have Down syndrome.  The last part I add only to help the voice grow louder.  It is certainly not what defines my niece, Ella.  To me, her adoring aunt, Down syndrome has become an adjective among many others to describe her.  Daring is another one that fits.  I’m amazed she rides horses; that’s something I can’t do without a disability.  She rides roller coasters with her arms stretched straight to the sky.  And she braved choppy waters yesterday in a boat about the size of a garbage can.  She was nervous at first…

…but was over it in about 30 seconds!

Not once did she say, “I don’t want to do this,” or “I’m scared,” and trust me, she would have!  Another adjective to describe Ella is assertive.  She simply doesn’t back down from things – school, riding bikes, or in this case, the boat.  Down syndrome will not hamper Ella from achieving in her life.  She’s just like anyone else.  She has feelings, opinions and goals.  I consider myself extremely lucky to be along for the ride.   

{this moment} Arlington Park

Posted by Lesley on March 18, 2011 1 comments

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  -Soulemama

Squirrel Crime on the Rise

Posted by Lesley on March 17, 2011 3 comments

When you see a headline like Squirrel Attacks Neighborhood, you click the link.  I do anyway, and here’s a snipet of what I found:

Kevin McDonald tells the Bennington Banner he was shoveling snow when the squirrel jumped onto him. He says he threw the animal off, but it twice jumped back onto him. A game warden says there have been other reports, too…Johnson says it’s possible the squirrel was raised as a pet and lost its fear of humans. He says the squirrel might “go ballistic” when it encounters people it doesn’t recognize.

So glad I clicked on the link and so glad I’ve never had a squirrel go ballistic on me.  Phew!  Although I feel somewhat validated after reading the article.  Pet or not, squirrels can be aggresive little things.  We had some unruly squirrels running the show in our last backyard.  They sent me inside more than once.  One toe on the grass and chewed up pine cones would come hurling down from the trees.  But try telling that to people before there’s news circulating about crazed squirrels.  Here’s a video from YouTube…this squirrel is ballistic and persistent.  The homeowner stops filming after three minutes out of apparent boredom not because the squirrel runs away.

 

The ticking sound they make always seemed funny to me, like a soundtrack for their tails perfectly synchronized.  Now it seems menacing like the Jaws soundtrack, just replace the duns with tics.  Still, I’m a fan of squirrels.  They make me laugh.  They bury nuts with the behavior of a burglur constantly scanning to make sure the coast is clear.  And encounters go one of two ways – the frantic scurry away or the immediate freeze frame.

Squirrels are better than the Queen’s guards; they will not crack.  I could have taken photos of this upside down, spread-eagle squirrel all day if I wanted to.

Or maybe not…because at what point does a squirrel blow?  Who knows now?  Next time, I’ll get my shot-no eye contact-and move on.  I suggest you do the same.

 

The Shelf Life of a Spice Rack

Posted by Lesley on March 14, 2011 8 comments

Basil and oregano grow in my garden.  Spices and dried herbs grow in my cabinet.  Just like rain lily bulbs, the little jars multiply as time passes and I forget about them.  There are two chili powders, two nutmegs, two cloves, and three ground mustards.  The ground mustard is baffling.  I can’t think of one recipe I use it in, so why do I keep buying it?  It has to stop.  I’ve compiled a list of every spice, seed, herb, and extract in my cabinet.

The majority of my herbs are McCormick brand, which made my project much easier.  If there’s no best by date on the jar, McCormick has a website where you can find out when the spice or herb was packaged.  On that same page, they provide basic shelf life information.  The maximum shelf life for herbs and ground spices is three years.  The maximum shelf life for whole spices, seeds and extracts is four years with two exceptions – poppy and sesame seeds are only good for two years.  The overall exception is vanilla extract, which never goes bad. 

Something that never goes bad is great for my budget but bad for my brain.  It doesn’t make any sense; edibles rot.  Why doesn’t vanilla extract go bad?  My mother refuses to eat Cool Whip for this very reason.  A storm interupted her barbeque once.  The plates, pies, burgers, buns – they were all destroyed and washed away from the rain but not the Cool Whip.  It survived the storm, and as my mother would say, “That ain’t right.”   

So I went about entering the codes, and most of my spices checked out.  But to my dismay, there were three rogues that have been hiding out since the nineties!  It’s embarrassing and disgusting.  But luckily, 15 year-old spices are only flavorless; they don’t actually make you sick.  I’d know by now if they did. 

To make myself feel better…or worse…to be determined by your responses, check your cabinets and best buy dates.  Comment here and whoever is kind enough to take the Old Spice title from me gets a replacement spice, herb or extract.  I’ll check back on May 1, 2011 to crown the title.  The year to beat is 1996!