Archive for the ‘Go Away’ Category

It doesn’t matter where the bouquet comes from


2013
05.11
the neighbors hydrangea. My May day gift from the LBND,

The neighbor’s hydrangea. It was my May Day gift from the LBND.

So many neighbors unknowingly donate flowers to teachers. Walking to school creates all manner of good character and thoughtfulness. For example during the peak of bloom season, Mrs Adams recieved bouquests from me all the time.

It didn’t improve my grades, although I had high hopes. Mrs Adams was well prepared to receive fistfulls of roses. And she had a variety of coffee mugs in her desk drawer. Each mug could hold a number of roses at various heights.

Lilacs came and went to quickly, I barely got a sniff. But now, the roses are about to explode into bloom. For a little while, they will be lovely. Then the Japanese Beetles will move in.

I have a trap to try this year. A trap laced with beetle pheremones. You will get the report as so as I know if it is worth it.

BE PREPARED

When cutting Hydrangeas. Follow a few simple guides.

Spontaneous gift: When you are presented with a bouquet, from the LBND (the Little Boy Next Door) Recut the stem under running water and trim at a 45 degee angle. Remove all greenery that would be under water,

Cutting your own bouguet.

Take sharp scissors or pruners out to the garden when you plan to cut Hydrangeas. Also bring a bucket of cool water to plunge your flowers in as soon as they have been cut. Cut stems at a 45 degree angle.

Remove any greenery that will be underwater. Change to water every few days. Your Hydrangeas will last up to 2 weeks.

And remember Never waste a day of May.

 

 

I’ll be back to Drury Hotels


2012
12.17

I love it when somebody else makes the oatmeal. And the coffee.
Oatmeal Drury

I’ve written about Drury Hotels before.

Good News, Drury Hotels Lost the Bathtub

Value added at Drury Hotels

But tonight, they won me over again. Jeff and I have been been married for 30 years today. When Jeff answered the door, a special roomservice arrived.

Champagne with glasses AND fresh baked cookies.

Champagne with glasses AND fresh baked cookies.

St. Louis-Drury Inns & Suites near Forest Park, 2111 Sulphur Ave. St Louis, MO 63139. How cool is that?

Last time I was here, I told Bri one of the things I like about this chain is the customer service. Everyone in the hotel is a Good Will Ambassador. Every staff member has a smile and a kind word. I like that.

OK Texas, secede


2012
12.16

But first, you should probably figure out how to operate a highway system without federal dollars. You will be responsible for airports, air traffic control and all air, land, water transportation, security and emergency management. You need your own coast guard and DOT.

Your border and immigration issues will be even bigger now. You will need a passport to come to the USA and a green card to work here. Hey, Dallas Cowboys – you got passports? Papers, please.

What is your plan for emergency management? Because you can’t call NOAH or FEMA when there is a hurricane or a tornado. And they won’t be calling to warn you beforehand.

Severe weather disasters like extreme drought, flooding and earthquakes from fracking will be of immediate concern for your independent self. Houston, you have a problem: we want NASA back.

There will be no Federal dollars for national parks, presidential libraries, universities. alcohol, tobacco, firearms, drug regulation and weapons of mass destruction are yours to control. What will replace the American dollar?

You can’t call the FDA or the CDC. Good luck with no FBI, CDC or USDA.You might not miss these government agencies until you need the Department of Defense, Department of Commerce, Department of Justice, Department of Interior or, Department of Health and Human services.

Time to cowboy up. Or is this Big hat, no cattle?

Must see Branson at Christmastime.


2012
11.24

Branson is one big Christmas Card. All deorated in it’s holiday best, … Read More:

 5 must see Christmas events in Branson at Striped Pot.

Molly and Carter are the ships resident dogs. Learn more about the Titanic and the pets that were aboard when it set sail from London. Photo: PBH

There is always more to do and see in Branson than is possible. But if you do have time, stop by the Titanic Museum. Say Happy Birthday to  the ships’ dogs. Molly and Carter.

See the Titanic in it’s Edwardian Holiday best. Photo: PBH.

Buy Titanic tickets, see times and dates of special events. Your best price is through the Titanic Museum web site.

3 Best Christmas light displays:

  • Branson Area Festival of Lights. Through Dec. 31 at Dusk – 11 p.m.

 

  • Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights. Through Jan. 2 at Shepherd of the Hills Homestead

 

  • Holiday Light Tours at Ride the Ducks. Through Dec. 9 at Ride the Ducks – Splash’s Winter Wonderland

 

 

 

5 must see Christmas events in Branson at Striped Pot travel magazine.

 

For more holiday festivities, contact the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB .

 

Wordless Wednesday August 29, 2012


2012
08.29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Wordless Wednesday

 

Missouri Coneflower


2012
08.26
A roadside wildflower in Missouri

A summer roadside wildflower in Missouri

Missouri Coneflower, Rudbeckia missouriensis
Aster family (Asteraceae)

coneflower

This yellow coneflower is a Missouri native.

Missouri coneflower is a Missouri native perennial. You can find these yellow flowers in limestone glades in the Ozarks. I noticed them along roadsides in late June and early July.

Rudbeckia missouriensis can spread to form wild colonies of yellow flowers growing between 2 and 3 feet tall. Daisy-like flowers have  yellow rays and black center cones.

Narrow green leaves and the multiple stems are hairy. Long summer to early fall bloom period.

You may have seen yellow coneflowers outside of Missouri. Their growing region stretches into AR, IL, LA, MO, OK, TX.

Yellow Coneflower

the leaves and multi branched stems are hairy.

I saw these yellow conflowers on the road to Laura Ingles Wilder’s home and museum.

Never Pass up a car wash


2012
08.18

I believe in supporting the people who support our community.

Support local efforts in community betterment. These folks are trying to raise money the best way they know how.

A car wash and bake sale raising money for breast cancer. One of the counselors has breast cancer. Everyone pitched in to help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spiced peach cobbler


2012
07.18

It’s peach season! I ate half of my entire peach crop in one setting. The squirrel ate the other one. So, these peaches are from the local orchard.  Just across the Mississippi River is Cobden Illinois, famous for their peaches.

The region if known for the wine trails. Cobden also grows some of the best apples and peaches. photo by PBH

Though it is an easy drive, we like to make our trip to the peach orchard a get away weekend.  We love staying at Makanda Inn B&B, 855 Old Lower Cobden Road, Makanda, Illinois 62958. Southern Illinois newest bed and breakfast located in the heart of the Shawnee Wine Trail.

Robin Sue of Big Red Kitchen says “This is my go-to Peach Cobbler recipe. It has never let me down. This dish is very moist, super fast to make, and wonderful served warm with vanilla ice cream, perfect for summer cook-outs.”

Miss Jean’s Peach Cobbler  Cooks and recipe collectors on Pinterest wil love her Big Red Kitchen boards.

So rich and buttery, just a bit of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream will do. photo by PBH

I made this recipe, except I added a touch of spice: ½ teaspoon each cinnamon and nutmeg and the tiniest pinch of ground cloves.

This is my version of Miss Jean’s Peach Cobbler. It sounds like one of those great 70′s recipes we loved before we were told butter is bad. You know those kind of dump cakes that amazed us when they really worked?

Spiced Peach Cobbler

4 cups fresh peaches sliced and sweetened if necessary
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 pinch ground cloves
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup sugar
1 stick butter, melted

Set oven to 350. Put stick of butter in a 9×13 inch pan. Set pan in oven for a minute or until butter is melted. Remove from oven.
Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Mix combined dry ingredients with milk and sugar until smooth.
Pour batter over melted butter.
Put peaches and any juices on top.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes.
Let set at least 10 minutes before serving.

Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

My recipe is adapted from Miss Jean’s Peach Cobbler

To read more about Makanda Inn go to Striped Pot: The Makanda Inn B&B Learn more about the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.

Salad Bowl


2012
07.04

Second season container plants

Patio planters are filled with salad greens and pansies. Expand your ideas about container gardens and planters. Grow leafy salad greens in full sun in spring and partial shade or shaded location in summer.

A living salad bowl at Southmoreland Urban Inn photo by PBH

I love the idea. Everything in this planter is edible. The mix of pansies and lettuce are a great idea. These flowers belong to the Inn Keepers at Southmoreland on the Plaza – an Urban Inn in Kansas City MO. 

frillly loose leaf lettuce can fill a container with color and texture.

It gave me the idea to add the beautiful textures and shapes of lettuce into my planter and hanging baskets. I know you’ve seen lush baskets of ornamental sweet potatoes.

Sometimes by the end of summer, most containers have a few blank spaces. Toss a little red lettuce or beautifully textured arugula in the container.

Grow late season crops tucked in anywhere. Put a few seeds in an empty garden row or an unused container. Fall is a good time for second season or cool season crops.

Once an ashtray, this patio furniture is now a mini container garden.

The bonus is you get a home grown salad. Some lettuces and radishes can take a light frost. The soil is already warmed by the summer sun and crops will germinate quickly. Keep soil moist to encourage germination. Share your combination planters with us. Leave a comment below.

Rethinking Coleas


2012
06.19

Alabama Sunset' is a popular and durable sun-tolerant coleus.

This coleus is on my friends back deck. She knows – because I just had to tell her — that coleus should be pinched back. I admit this trailing plant is very pretty and continuously blooming. Most long time gardeners would have rushed to this plant and made 2 dozen cuttings imediately.

Pinch Plants for Better Growth

It just occurred to me when I saw this plant, that we don’t have to follow the rules or even an experienced gardeners advice.

Relax. Be happy. It is OK to NOT follow the rules all the time. You don’t Have To pinch plants. If you don’t, this is what will happen.↑ (see above photo) That’s OK too.

 

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