Model Marigolds

Marigolds are one of the best flowers

for a novice gardener to grow.

A great introduction to gardening for kids,

these marvels seem to have a one-track mind-

G-R-O-W!

Happiest in bunches, the bright colors seem to

pop right out of the sea of dark green leaves.

Maybe my need for simplicity is what makes me

plant so many of these.

They are delicate in appearance,

but really don't require much

in the way of maintenance or care.

Beautifully organized petals are dense

and mesmerizing.

Rumored to repel insects,

they are often planted around veggie gardens.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4475003_use-flowers-as-garden-insect.html

Self-seeding is always a bonus

and these knockouts don't disappoint.

http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/flowers/marigold.htm

They're here!

Last year, we were just about to leave on vacation

when caterpillars were spotted

on the parsley patch out front.

I thought for sure we'd miss the metamorphosis.

We did.

These native milkweed plants were

purchased specifically to host caterpillars.

I wrote about it here.

What a welcome sight in the garden this was.

They're here early enough,

that we may get to see the change take place!

Defying the laws of gravity

while hiding from predators!

Just hangin' around!

Gettin' plumper everyday!

Is there anything more magical

than the transformation these

superb critters go through?

It serves as an example

that change can be a dramatic and glorious thing!

Peek-a-boo!

These alliums have been very busy lately!

I feel blessed to be even a small part

of these wonders of Nature.

 

I believe this is a soldier butterfly.

Any experts out there?

Please let me know if I've got that right.

http://butterflies.heuristron.net/butterflies/soldier.html

Here's how to tell four similar butterflies apart.

Great photos!

http://www.pbase.com/tmurray74/florida_butterflies

Gluten-Free Muffins

Eight ingredients

(I ended up not using the pear sauce)

are all that are needed to make these yummy

snack or breakfast treats.

I also didn't have the xanthan gum on hand.

They turned out fine.

This batter is extremely loose,

but somehow it magically transforms

into these delicious, dense muffins.

A folded piece of tin foil

on one side of the paper muffin liners

makes the heart shape.

I want my boy to feel the love in every bite!

Gluten-Free Magical One-Bowl Muffins

(Food Allergy Survival Guide)

3/4 C cornmeal                                    1/4 t xanthan gum

    1/4 C gf flour mix                                1 1/2 t baking powder

     1/4 t salt                                                 1/4 C sucanat or sugar

    1/4 C maple syrup                               3/4 C rice milk               1/4 C light olive oil

Place paper liners in muffin tins.

Combine dry ingredients in medium bowl

and whisk to aerate. 

Add wet ingredients and beat with whisk to blend well. 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

Pour mixture into tins 3/4 full

and bake in center rack for 25 minutes.

Makes 10-12 muffins.



lunchbox love

Made from Scratch Mondays

Backyards:  A Sunset Design Guide
***


"Creating a backyard that's comfortable and enjoyable will make your home feel exponentially larger.  Just think of being able to invite friends and family over for a weekend pool party or summer barbecue, where guests can mingle indoors and out.  This book will guide you through the precess of turning backyard dreams into reality.  Learn how to make the most of small spaces, incorporate the needs of children and pets, and add structures that give even nondescript homes a sense of style.  You'll also find advice on using eco-friendly materials and planning water-wise gardens.  Throughout the book, you'll find words of wisdom from our panel of experts, as well as case studies of their work that will inspire you with possibilities for your own backyard."


This book is chocked full of great ideas.  Vivid photos
capture the overall essence of each garden composition. 
A variety of backyard themes is depicted throughout the book.  The contents are well-organized with topics ranging from Getting Started, to Cooking and Entertaining to Backyard Structures.  For those who are adept at using software, you're in luck.  This book comes with a software disc that will help in the planning stages.  Unfortunately, I find myself frustrated when using these new-fangled things and prefer to put my plan together the old-fashioned way with a pencil and paper.  This is not a do-it-yourself manual.  There are no step-by-step instructions for the myriad of suggested projects.   Instead, general ideas and a visual frame of reference are provided for the reader who is just mulling around possibilities.

Critter Visit

When we first moved in here,

we'd see these sandhill cranes all the time.

At first I thought it was so cool.

Then I realized that we were the reason

these beauties lost their habitat.

There are fewer in the last 6 years

since we've been here.

I just feel blessed to be able

to admire them from afar.

You can find out more
about these amazing creatures
here and here.