Feed the birds!

While we feed and watch the birds all year long, it takes on special significance in winter, especially if you live in the north. From the birds' perspective, they're grateful for the eats and from ours, it's a chance to watch them and appreciate their beauty and interesting behavior.

For example, when the blue jays come around, the feeder clears of the finches and sparrows and they return only after the blue jays have finished hogging it all.

The equally beautiful cardinals don't have that effect on the other birds. They share.

We don't feed ours anything special, just a general mix of seeds. That way we get a variety of birds. We do have a separate feeder for the goldfinches, who don't look very gold this time of year, with their duller winter colors.

What kinds of birds are you seeing at your feeders right now?

Basic houseplant care tips

Now that winter is upon us and for many areas of the country, it's here in a big way, gardening comes inside. Houseplants are great, because they allow us to continue our passion in a smaller way while our outside gardens take a big nap.

Pothos, which is similar to Philodendron, is an easy houseplant to grow.

Every time I talk to someone about houseplants, there's someone in the bunch who says, "I can't grow houseplants. I always kill them." You know what? I used to say that very thing, because it  was true. I even turned over the watering duties to my husband because for some reason, he was better at it and if something ended up dead, I wouldn't have to take the blame for it!

Growing houseplants is not really that hard, if you choose the houseplants that fit your lifestyle. Some require much more care than others. If you don't want a fussy plant, choose something like a philodendron, a jade plant, a hoya, or a ZZ plant. They're very forgiving if you're sporadic about your watering duties.

But regardless of what you're growing in your living room, here are some things to remember:

• Don't overwater! Everyone says this, but it's true. More houseplants die from drowning than dehydration. Stick your finger into the soil about an inch deep and if you feel any moisture in the soil, don't water. Using a water meter is a great help, too. (I use one.) When you do water, water thoroughly, letting the water run out the bottom.
  


• Fertilize! Since plants are in a limited environment in their pots, they'll use up the nutrients in the potting soil and they'll need to be replenished. Potting soils are available that have slow-release fertilizer added and these feed the plants over a period of 3-6 months, but after that, you'll need to feed them. Nothing special is needed, just a general purpose plant food. Follow the instructions on the container.
  


• Light! Make sure you're meeting their light needs. There are many houseplants that don't require high light and most tags will indicate a plant's optimum light level. During the winter, most high-light plants will need to be in a sunny south window to receive enough light to do well, so if you don't have that available, look for plants that only require medium to low light.

Pork Chops Dressed up for the Holidays!

The Soil Sisters are so thrilled our Smart Cooking Cyber Chef Debra Hempe graciously agreed to share one of her delicious holiday recipes and Christmas thoughts with us!  

Christmas is almost here and as I hurry around town doing my last minute errands, I’m struck by the beauty of the season.  My town resembles a tabletop Christmas Village and the shopkeepers, from the baker to the cobbler (yes we have a cobbler), have carefully turned their windows into a feast for the eyes. My fellow shoppers don a dazzling array of Christmas attire. A woman in a tastefully subdued forest green pullover nods and whispers a “Merry Christmas” to the woman whose sweater and earrings light up and twinkle to the beat of the Christmas carols playing on the stores PA system. The streets are filled with bell ringers; nativity scenes and holiday lights wound on lampposts making them resemble giant candy canes. I feel like a kid again, and suddenly I’m lost in my own nostalgic memories of Christmases past. It’s nice to remember.

Since our streets, shops, and neighbors are all dressed up for the holidays I saw no reason why I shouldn’t dress up my pork chops as well.  These boneless chops will be butterflied and stuffed with a delicious combination of red onion fruit and bread crumbs that will make the meal look and taste like a holiday feast. It's an easy dinner for two and can be easily doubled if company is expected!

2 boneless pork chops butterflied

1 tbs olive oil

½ red onion 

1 small rib celery

½ Granny Smith apple 

5 dried apricots

2 tbs dried cranberries

5 cherries (pitted and stemmed)

1 clove minced garlic

½ tsp poultry seasoning

2 tsp parsley

½ tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

¼ cup chicken stock

 

 

Dice the onion celery and the fruits 

Cook onion and celery in oil till almost soft

Add the garlic cook for a minute more

Add the diced fruit

Cook till onions and fruits are slightly soft

Add spices

Add ½ cup breadcrumbs

Stir to combine 

Set aside and cool COMPLETELY.  This can be done in advance.  I never put hot filling in any meat product. When the filling is cool, fill chops and roll up.  Secure with twine or toothpicks.

I place any leftover filling in the baking dish and add ¼ chicken stock to the baking dish.  Place in a 350 degree oven till done.  I cooked mine about 40 minutes (internal temp of 160 degrees minimum according to the national pork board).

Visit Debra's blog Smart Cooking for more fabulous (and easy)
recipes on a budget! 

Happy Holidays!

Wordless Wednesday - Winter Wonderland

  *For more Wordless Wednesday blogs, please visit WW Headquarters.

Wordless Wednesday - Euonymus

This is our first time participating in Wordless Wednesday. You can see other Wordless Wednesday blogs at WW Headquarters.

The unselfish gardener wishes us Merry Christmas!

October 2010

Remember the unselfish gardener who plants a corner out in the middle of nowhere near where I live in northwest Ohio? He plants it every summer for the enjoyment of whomever happens to pass by, and that includes me.

Generally, what's planted are annuals that won't survive temperatures below freezing and it was certainly that today. In fact, we had our first snow of the season. Not much, but enough to say we had it. 

This afternoon, I had to take a couple of the kitties to the vet's for their yearly immunizations and as I neared the intersection, I noticed that the corner had a new look! Two fresh-cut Christmas trees as well as some figures decorated the little plot. Again, I smiled...

God rest you, merry gentleman, whomever you are...