Joournal-Blog (Family, Cooking from Scratch, Gardening)

Hi All, I sure have missed writing, but I'm back. I will be tweaking the layout here so it is more reader friendly, and more importantly... focusing on JUST THREE TOPICS which are important to me and I believe go together nicely. These topics encompass many aspects of our lives.

1. Cooking From Scratch  (inclusive of all foods we prepare) with RECIPES
2. Old- Fashioned Family Life... in the Ever Evolving 21st Century
3. Kitchen Gardening

I'd like this web-blog to be for everyone and anyone who wishes to read it. It's mostly my compilation of thoughts on today's family life; recipes already tested and tweaked for you  with photos and perhaps quotes (I'm a big fan)

 Though I also I hope it will someday be a written and visual journey of family life and authentic cook-book for my children to pass onto their own.

However,  I am writing it to 'all readers'. It is my hope you may find it enticing enough to follow along. Together we will journey thru this incredible life... always giving thanks for the blessings bestowed upon us, looking for the good in the world, the good in people, and our everyday living.

I was a journalism , then communications major in college; so you wouldn't think I would have stopped reading newspapers years ago! I follow along via internet on important stories but I try to block out the negative and sensationalized stories. The stories 'so-called' newspeople write 'to sell papers'... no matter how negative and disturbing the story might be.  I plan for this web journal t be a complete contradiction to the newspapers of today. If you considered life to be what you see on the news; it would be a depressing sight indeed. However, the truth is this world we live in is the complete opposite, if you take each day and look at it in a positive light. You must look around and find the good; it is there... every day, everywhere. You just have to slow down a bit, open your eyes and heart; and then, only then, will you clearly see the world the way we are supposed to. A world that is filled with goodness, kindness & love. The world the way it is supposed be viewed. 

My children may never be interested in ready this, I know but I write with pleasure hoping to inspire someone, some where. Whether it be stories of kindness; helping others in small ways (it does make a difference); or cooking from scratch; baking breads, gardening (then sharing). This not only gives you joy but you are passing on this goodness to so many others as well. Anything to make the world a friendlier place.
                                                        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All  that being said, you might as well ignore posts prior to today Many, though not all, pertain to my Vintage Collectibles shop. I closed Footbridge Cove last March, after six wonderful years, but now is the time in my life to focus on other priorities. I won't delete those posts though, in case someone is interested in something that was written before the renewing of this journal-blog.

Wishing you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving filled with love.
Warmly
~ garden chef   (Cathy)

Testimonial to my beloved mom, my inspiration

Originally printed in March 2009 in our recently closed 'SHOP BLOG', Since this was a personal note, update, at the time I thought I would post it here on our now one and only blog.

Hello friends. It has been a long while since I have written...seems longer than the actual days that have passed.

Happy New Year to you all! I hope you were fortunate enough to spend the holidays with loved ones. We had a pleasant holiday season, always have to keep it festive for the kids sake, but it was a difficult one as well.

The day after I last wrote my beloved mother took ill. She had a stroke...her 2nd in 9 years... and this one involved too many issues for any one person to recover from. I thought I'd take today to share my personal thoughts about my mom, her life, and death. Some of the simple, but plain truths she taught me, by example. I'm so fortunate, to carry within me, these beliefs as I journey through this world and share with my own children as they grow into adulthood. Simple, but plain truths I learned because of her.

She and my dad married in 1961. What a typical traditional couple they were. My mom took her role as housewife very seriously and my dad worked every day to pay the mortgage. My best friend always thought of my mom as Mrs Cleaver from 'Leave it to Beaver'! I don't remember her vacuuming with her choker length pearls on but she was always dressed smartly in a skirt and blouse.... and our house was spotless. That's right it would easily pass the white glove test any day of the week.  My dad came home each night to a nutritionally balanced, home cooked meal and we all ate together. Every night, everyone ate together. Take out food was a treat, maybe once a month if that. After dinner, my dad would ask my mom is she wanted help with the dishes, she'd always say no and he'd loosen his tie and go read the paper in the living room. My mom would do the dishes - no dishwasher, no garbage disposal, life was so different than it is now.

CONTINUED

I started this entry in January and got swept away, but here I am again. There is too much to write about about my parents & their wonderful lives together in this sitting. I will save that for my FOOTBRIDGE COVE TIDBITS blog on blogger.footbridgecovetidbits

At Footbridge Cove our shop is surviving the recession...are we still calling it that? However, each day I find myself looking toward the future with a renewed enthusiasm, even as things are in flux with the economic times. Each day there is something positive to find. Look inside yourself, always have faith, funny that is probably the most important legacy my mom left behind... and she, nor I, until now never even realized it. ALWAYS HAVE FAITH.

I love you mom, not an evening goes by that I don't talk to you before I close my eyes for the day

                                                        

                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~

So folks stop by FOOTBRIDGE COVE when you get a chance. We have plenty of inventory to list so we we won't be going anywhere... and yes we'd like to sell what is currently listed, so feel free to make us an offer. We are pleased to consider it.

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Technorati Tags: Blogger, Cooking, Footbridge Cove Collectibles., Gardening, Typepad

Basil in Bins, Green Beans in Garden

After having major BASIL issues this Spring with an unknown bug... I dug up all basil plants up today and discarded them : (.

I then re-tilled the soil (picked out several Japanese beetle types insects) and planted BLUE LAKE Green Beans.

I won't forgo the basil though, I will plant in a large recycle bin with new potting soil and healthy nursery purchased plants to ensure a better crop for my 'year round homemade pesto'.

Having never tried succession planting of beans before, I copied this info to help me remember. My goal....Green Beans from the garden at Thanksgiving dinner!

Info re: this particular bean:
"An old time favorite with exceptional Blue Lake flavor, it is noted for retaining its excellent flavor and texture when frozen. This snap bean (or green bean) grown on short bushy plants is eaten pod and all and is one of those vegetables like tomatoes that tastes significantly better when grown at home rather than bought at the grocery store. Blue Lake 274 produces a very large crop of round 6” pods all at once. An excellent variety for containers. This packet plants: One 10-foot row. For all areas, bush beans can be planted in succession to produce beans all season.

***Seed a new crop every 7 to 14 days up to 60 days before first fall frost. (For Boston that would be until approx. August 15th) Beans need good air circulation, thus the recommended distance between rows of 3’-4’. Seeds that do not come up can be immediately replaced."

Will keep you posted.

Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Cucumbers | DoItYourself.com

I was wondering why my cukes weren't getting as big near trellis as ones planted separately. Answer here...overcrowding. Hope I can salvage them before diseases have struck.

Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Cucumbers DoItYourself.com

How to Freeze Herbs - Fine Gardening Video

Tried and true tips for freezing fresh basil from your garden for months of culinary enjoyment to come!

How to Freeze Herbs - Fine Gardening Video

Releasing Ladybugs into the Garden - Vegetable Gardener

Releasing Ladybugs into the Garden - Vegetable Gardener

Rooting Lavender Sprigs

Today my thoughts and sense of smell is all about lavender! I stopped by the nursery this morning as they were unloading tray after tray of hardened off lavender plants!!! I was drawn to them and their exquisite fragrance. Needless to say I spent far too long selecting my six large plants to fill my wheelbarrow.  I got two kinds, munstead which I need to research it seems to have smaller leaves and lower growth (12"-18")... and another that is larger when mature 18"-36". I'll put that in the center of the barrow.  Then I decided to try and root some lavender from cuttings of the plants I selected. I followed directions found on several sites (I've included the most common below and this is what I followed.) We shall see what happens... I filled small peat pots with soiless mix and planted 50 sprigs after dipping in water and rooting powder .

IMPORTANT...rooting powder is poisonous, do not use near children. I wore gloves and be very careful about inhaling any. I did this planting outside.

I'm a little confused as to what I should do next, for now they are under plastic cover in my living room with a heat lamp warming them and not adding a lot of light. I'm always open for your suggestions or comments. I will look into that more tomorrow. I'll post the photos I took as well and post again in a month.  It may work, may not...regardless I enjoyed the process. It proved to be very meditative. Oh and if they do grow, I have no idea what I'll do with them because one wheelbarrow wouldn't be enough room, pot and give as gifts I guess. : )

Planting Lavender
You can plant lavender in spring or fall in well-drained, slightly alkaline, sandy soil. Planting on mounds or in raised beds can help to promote good drainage if your soil isn't ideal. Select a sunny location, allow enough space for growth and good air circulation and plant with other plants that have similar water requirements. Add about one-half cup each of bone meal and chicken manure into the soil, mix well; place the plants in the holes; give them some water and watch your lavender plant grow. Water plants regularly the first year to ensure that they root well in their new surroundings and then they will be hardy and drought tolerant and need little or no water. Generally, Mother Nature can take care of the watering. Be careful not to over water since they don't like "wet feet." Depending on the variety and mature size of the lavender plants you choose, the plants should be planted 2-4 feet apart. In general, the use of fertilizers in not necessary and may cause excessive leaf growth and minimal blooms. I do, however, dig-in a small amount of bone meal (1/2 cup each) around my plants each spring. Flower stalks should be cut off the first year to encourage plant development rather than flower production.

Harvesting Your Flowers

Depending on the variety, lavender blooms are usually at their peak from late June through August. Harvest the flower stems on a dry day, in the late morning hours after any dew has evaporated. Fresh bouquets should be cut when about one-third to one-half of the flowers have opened. If you will be drying your lavender for bundles or buds for sachets, pick them when the flowers are about one-half open.

If you will be drying your cut lavender in bundles, each bunch should contain about one hundred stems. Wrap a rubber band around the bottom of the bunches and hang upside down to dry, in a well-ventilated, dry area, out of direct sunlight. When they are completely dry, about two to three weeks, you can either strip the buds from the stems for easier storage, or store them on the stems.

Pruning Your Lavender

Plants should be pruned in early spring or early fall to one-half to two-thirds of their size, leaving about 2-3 inches of green stems. Never cut into the woody part of the plant. The plants respond well to this pruning and it will help them maintain their attractive mounded shape. As summer progresses to fall, it's a good idea to remove all remaining bloom stalks and shape any straggly areas.


Propagation


It's wise to purchase lavender plants rather than starting them from seed. Plants started from seed usually have a poor survival rate and the process is very slow. Lavender does root well from cuttings taken from mature plants in early spring. Take two to four inch cuttings, remove the bottom leaves, dip the end into water, shake off excess and dip into rooting hormone. Place carefully into pre-moistened potting soil. Water regularly, keep warm (heated from the bottom if possible) and wait about six weeks for the cutting to root.

Another method of propagation is called layering. Bend the lower stems of a mature plant and mound soil over them, leaving only the tip visible. It takes about six months for rooting to take place. You may then cut the rooted plant from the mother plant and transplant in a sunny, well-draining location.

How to Make an Herb Topiary | eHow.com

How to Make an Herb Topiary eHow.com

Celebrate National Garlic Month - Vegetable Gardener

Celebrate National Garlic Month - Vegetable Gardener

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Video: How to Prune Tomatoes - Vegetable Gardener

Video: How to Prune Tomatoes - Vegetable Gardener

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Video: Early Pruning of Tomato Plants - Vegetable Gardener

Video: Early Pruning of Tomato Plants - Vegetable Gardener

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Video: How to Plant Tomatoes - Vegetable Gardener

Video: How to Plant Tomatoes - Vegetable Gardener

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Video: Make a Straw-Bale Garden Bed - Vegetable Gardener

Video: Make a Straw-Bale Garden Bed - Vegetable Gardener

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Video: Make a Straw-Bale Garden Bed - Vegetable Gardener

Video: Make a Straw-Bale Garden Bed - Vegetable Gardener

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Antique & Vintage Jewelry: FOOTBRIDGE COVE on fb

Many additional Antique & Vintage Jewelry photos added to our FAN PAGE on facebook today. Please check them out. If you're interested in a piece not yet listed in our shop, just contact us directly. 
Please fan us: FOOTBRIDGE COVE on facebook

Photos thru link below or directly on our fan page
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=148280&id=327932694887&l=347d9e8915

Please friend us while there as well, CATHY COLLINS

PHOTOS of our Vintage Vanity Compacts

Please FAN our FAN PAGE on FACEBOOK: FOOTBRIDGE COVE
and friend us as well while there; Cathy Collins

Updated photos of our collection of unique vanity pieces

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=156538&id=327932694887&l=2b059f0efb

Help Pollinate Your Tomato Plants - Vegetable Gardener

Help Pollinate Your Tomato Plants - Vegetable Gardener

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Newspaper Mulch: The Cheap Organic Weed Barrier - Vegetable Gardener

Newspaper Mulch: The Cheap Organic Weed Barrier - Vegetable Gardener

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Sown seeds to tiny transplants...

To see additional photos, plus read text on photos, please see out facebook album Gardening 2010

(Cathy Collins on facebook)

 Friend us while there.

After a wonderful day of transplanting...

Now let's go back to the beginning... from sowed seed (3/8/10) to leggy seedlings (3/28/10). These sweet lil' tranplants need TLC due to our flood, cold basement & too long before transplant. We'll shower them with love & watch most of them grow. Sowing more seeds today. (Lost most all of the lettuce!)


First sowing Mar 8, 2010 with great enthusiasm and care. Then came the Northeast flood (see our facebook photos album 'Milton Underwater') and now... believe it or not we are expecting another heavy rain storm to flood for the next two days! These seedlings should have been cared for more closely: with watering, grow lights, and basement temperature. I finally moved them upstairs and transplanted yesterday (Mar 28, 2010) about a week later than I should have. This resulted in leggier seedlings than I wanted. I buried stems deeply. Lost a full tray of lettuce but surprisingly saved approx 150 plants. Now if even half of them make it I'll be thrilled! I have a small plot at home ~ approx 100 sq ft!  Though I hope to take part in our community VICTORY GARDEN assuming a spot opens for me (lottery). I should know within two weeks. So...I may be giving lots and lots of plants away if I don't get a Victory Garden slot, but no complaints. The joy from grardening, far outweighs the frustrations. And giving plants as gifts pleases me so.

Sowing more seeds today. Have moved my indoor greenhouse from basement (too cold) to living room (haha). Follow along on our blog as we journey thru this wonderful gardening season!

Sneak peek of my plan (hope)...
my apprentice, as shown in photo, suggested we paint our dilapitated metal wheelbarrow hot pink and use as a planter!  I thought why not!!!! Will do so, it will be whimsical and hopefully the entire barrow will be filled with overflowing basil plants. Pkus I can follow the sun around when needed!  I will harvest thruout the entire summer, making pesto as I go. An entire years worth of pesto to be frozen for when needed ... delectable! Follow along on our journey, this is just the beginning.

Trying to post an album of seedlings to date may have to post individually if I can't figure it out. Album is currently posted on my facebook profile CATHY COLLINS. Please friend me on fb as well.

Grow Potatoes in a Trash Barrel

I've copied this long post from vegetable gardener on fb I didn't want to forgot info posted by the fine gardeners.

GROWING POTATOES IN A TRASH BARREL

Jennifer needs some assistance, "I live in the Pac NW and I am attempting to grow potatoes in a trash can. Has anyone tried this already? What worked best for you? I'm worried that with all the rain it might be too wet for this. Any advice would be great!"Thu at 1:57pm · Comment ·UnlikeLike · View Feedback (15)Hide Feedback (15)You and 2 others like this.


Karen Littrell Long as you have plenty of drainage in the bottom of the can, you should be ok. Put about 6" of organic soil in the bottom and set your seed potato on it. Add just enough soil to cover and water well. When you see it sprouting, keep adding soil, layer by layer as it grows till maybe a few inches below the top. All along that stem you will have some... See More big, healthy tubers growing. To harvest, what I do is just lay a tarp down next to the trash can and dump it all on it then sort thru for the spuds. :-)

Thu at 2:03pm · ReportThomas P Carnes what are you doing to ensure good drainage? Seed potatoes simply rot if they stay wet for any period of time.

Thu at 2:03pm · ReportCathy Collins Please keep us posted, I"d like to do the same..in Boston, supposed to be unusually cold tonite 20 degrees...otherwise looking like spring. ♥ Crocuses are up. ♥



Please friend me on fb, thanks

Thu at 2:05pm · Melaney Dolack Roth Roll it into your garage for a while...haha

Thu at 2:06pm · ReportJada Nicks Edwards And don't try to grow them on the curb...Trashman might just harvest early! :)

Thu at 2:13pm · ReportMary Simpson Dailey Have done this for years, lots of trial and error. Do make sure you have plenty of drainage holes in bottom and a row or so on sides of can (down low). I do the add dirt/peat moss mix, as soon as I see some growth. But when you see green, stop adding more layers. Watch over fertilizing or you will wind up with lots of great foliage and few ... See Morepotatos. Also while it needs sun, full sun heats up a dark can quickly. I finally have a spot where it gets morning till a little afternoon sun and shade then on. It has been the most successful spot so far. Good luck, its fun. Makes harvest easy.

Thu at 3:26pm · ReportVegetable Gardening @Jada: So that's what happened to my missing potatoes :-)

Thu at 3:58pm · ReportTheresa Tyree LOTS of drainage holes so they wont get wet. I've done it in stacked tires also but the water in the tires can get stagnant.

Thu at 4:43pm · ReportJohnson Utility I grew potatoes in old stacked tires. It worked great!

Thu at 8:18pm · ReportVonetta Hubbard If you go to the Do It Yourself website it tells/shows you how to do it step by step in a trash bag

Thu at 8:28pm · ReportMichael Williams I've read that only late season potatoes work this way, early varieties only grow about 6" deep, assuming you are trying to mound up your potatoes. Another way to do this is 4 2x2 posts and attach 1x6 boards on the sides, as the plant grows taller you attach more boards and fill in with dirt. At the end of the season you simple unscrew one side and watch the potatoes fall. This way works a bit better in that your plant will get better sunlight.

Thu at 8:40pm · ReportJennifer Davila Beckwith Thanks, everyone! Great suggestions!

Thu at 11:44pm · Report