Author Archives: Patsy Bell

Help bring back the luscious little melon

Posted on January 14, 2013 | Comments Off on Help bring back the luscious little melon

Ananas D’Amerique A Chair Verte Melon

Bring back the luscious little melon.

Bring back the luscious little melon.

This historic heirloom was grown by Thomas Jefferson in 1794. It was offered commercially in the USA in 1824, and it was illustrated in color in France in 1854 in the Vilmorin Igot.

 

melon pkt

A melon wouldn’t last this long unless it was pretty good. I like the idea of growing the same thing that Thomas Jefferson grew.

I’m not a fan of  grocery store cantalope. Don’t judge melons by the melons in grocery stores.  It may be why folks think of this as a blah fruit.

 

From the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Catalog

 

 

 

 

 

Comments Off on Help bring back the luscious little melon

Posted in My Gardens, Plants From Seed

Tagged

Winter comes to Cape

Posted on December 31, 2012 | Comments Off on Winter comes to Cape

WinterBluSpruceThe first day after a snow is the most beautiful, isn’t it?  This snowy blue spruce has been moved so many times. It was only about 18″ tall when it was planted the first time. Now in it’s permanent home, the tree is about 5′ tall.

I've had this a little over a year. I got it out for morning coffee and a few minutes of prayer for our country and all out leaders. Do you think they can put the well fare of out country ahead of politcs?

I’ve had this a little over a year. I got it out for morning coffee and a few minutes of prayer for our country and all out leaders. Do you think they can put the well fare of out country ahead of politcs?

 

 

 

 

 

 

I forgot to pull the leeks out  of the garden before this first big snow.  Hope theywill survive under their snow blanket. I am looing forward to potato-   leek soup.  I’m stll working on a  multi allium soup recipe. Something like a 3 onion soup. However,  my recipe will still be topped with a crouton and cheese. Those French can cook! don’t cha think?

 

wintergardenThe garden is pretty with the first snow, but I feel that it wants to be blooming again. I’m still tossing around plant ideas for those chimney tiles. Any thoughts?

I love the week between Christmas and New Years. Seems like there is always time for a walk with your sweety, the occasional nap, and that little happy moment when the eggnog is finally all gone!

Well , call me or send me your phone # to  hobsondotpatsybellatgmaildotcom I lost everyons phone, so call me.

Streets and sidewalks are clear. We have plenty of coffee and tea, so come on down. There’s always a fireplace on somewhere.

 

 

 

 

Comments Off on Winter comes to Cape

Posted in Herb Everything, Herbs in the garden, Herbs in the kitchen, My Gardens, My Homeplace

I’ll be back to Drury Hotels

Posted on December 17, 2012 | Comments Off on I’ll be back to Drury Hotels

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.

Comments Off on I’ll be back to Drury Hotels

Posted in Go Away, Traveling

Tagged , ,

OK Texas, secede

Posted on December 16, 2012 | Comments Off on OK Texas, secede

But first, you should probably figure out how to operate a highway system without federal dollars and compliance. 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 (Click Here for alcohol treatments),  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?

Comments Off on OK Texas, secede

Posted in Go Away

Tagged ,

Must see Branson at Christmastime.

Posted on November 24, 2012 | 1 comment

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 .

 

1 Comment

Posted in Go Away, Ozarks Travel Examiner, Traveling

Tagged , ,

Grow wild wasabi arugula

Posted on November 9, 2012 | Comments Off on Grow wild wasabi arugula

Plants From Seed

Try something new this spring. photo: Renee’s Garden “Wasabi” arugula.

Something new and green that I’ll be planting come spring: wasabi arugula. It tastes  just as snappy as you might imagine. And, while you probably won’t want a salad bowl filled with it, a few leaves on a plate of fresh mixed greens is delicious.

When my seeds came in the mail, I thought the packet was empty. When I opened and looked inside the packet, it was hard to even see those tiny seed. Traditional arugula seed dwarf these teeny tiny wasabi arugula seed by comparison.

Sow sparingly every 2 or 3 weeks from the earliest date you dare plant in your area. In my zone 6 SE Missouri garden, the plant did best in spring and fall.

I encourage you to grow this tasty new arugula variety. Once it is growing  in the garden, you will think of many flavorful ways to use it in the kitchen. Add a few leaves to your own mesclun mix.

We tucked it into fish tacos, roast beef or tuna salad sandwiches, even topped a pizza with these greens as soon as it came out of the oven.

Hub pages has more information: How to grow organic arugula.

Buy the seed from Renee’s Garden. But don’t limit yourself to just one variety of arugula, I’ve tried several of Renee’s selections. My other favorite arugulas are “Rustic” and “Rustic Style.” “Wasabi” Arugula is a Renee’s Exclusive, a wild discovery that really does taste like it’s namesake.

Renee’s Garden has the best new thing in the early spring garden: “Wasabi” arugula. Photo: Renees Garden.

 

Comments Off on Grow wild wasabi arugula

Posted in Herbs in the garden, Herbs in the kitchen, Plants From Seed, vegetable evaluation

Tagged , , , ,

Been There

Posted on November 1, 2012 | Comments Off on Been There

Despite days of back breaking sand bagging, I’ve seen the devastation of flood waters rising to the ceilings of homes.

I’ve seen the neighbor’s house literally blown away by a tornado that left my home standing.

Pay it forward.

You will never forget that desperate and exhausted voice saying “I can’t find my grandson,” or “I’ve lost everything.” It will haunt you.

How disorienting it is when every street sign in the city is missing. Or, when there is no phone, no electricity, no way to get help.

So, before we dismantle big government FEMA, and before dismantal Obama Care, think about what you would do if there was no one to pull you out of the rubble and rush you to the hospital.

What if suddenly you don’t even have a pair of underwear, or a toothbrush or any form of I.D?

You can’t find your pets, you can’t call your kids to tell them you are alive, you can’t afford to replace the car, even if there was a road to where  you used to live.

 

 

Comments Off on Been There

Posted in My Homeplace

Tagged , , , ,

Proven Winners Señorita Blanca™ Cleome

Posted on October 26, 2012 | Comments Off on Proven Winners Señorita Blanca™ Cleome

 Look for this plant

Sometimes called a spider plant. I think it looks like the floral version of fireworks. Grandmother had an older variety that was harder to grow. This Señorita Blanca Cleome is draught tolerant and easy care. No deadheading or pruning needed.

This cleome doesn’t have the odor of earlier varieties. There are no seed pods. Photo: PBH

You can read more and see the cleome at Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.

This color works well in a cutting garden or butterfly garden. The white blooms allow other plants to glow. The pale lavender tint compliments all the flowers.

I would recommend this annual to others and I will buy it again. There are no seed pods dropping everywhere because the Señorita Blanca Cleome plant is sterile.

Señorita Blanca Cleome. Non stop blooms through the record breaking heat and now in to cool short days of fall. Photo: pbh

Señorita uses it’s energy to bloom continuously, instead of making seed. I’ll take that improvement any day. From spring to first hard frost, these soft colored flowers on sturdy stems bloom nonstop.

During our record breaking heat, the cleome held it’s own. Growth slowed but did not stop. The plants received regular water and occasional liquid fertilizer.

Come spring, look for this plant at independent garden centers. When designing your containers this spring, keep Señorita Blanca Cleome in mind to add height to any container, perfect for cottage gardens, butterfly and cutting gardens.

Blooms from spring to last frost. Photo:PBH

This plant was sent to me by Proven Winners for trial. In my zone 6A, southeast Missouri garden. Señorita Blanca Cleome showed no signs of disease or insect problems.

If you had a hard time getting cleome to grow, them give them another try. Proven Winners has a better cleome.

Comments Off on Proven Winners Señorita Blanca™ Cleome

Posted in Ozarks Travel Examiner

Tagged , , ,

Copia tomato

Posted on October 18, 2012 | Comments Off on Copia tomato

Season Finale

Very different looking  tomatoes when sliced. But all the tomatoes are slightly sweet and juicy. Photo: PBH

I am pulling the last of the tomato plants for the year. But before I do, I picked a half dozen Copia tomatoes.

No two are the same. Thin skinned. Easy to peal. Beautiful canned. Photo: PBH

For my zone 6, southeast Missouri garden, these tomatoes were mid to late producers. Copia was the last full size tomato that I picked. (It was also in the last BLT of the season.)

These tomatoes grow on big, sprawling vines. Place sturdy stakes or cages early.

Hub Pages has all the info on the beautiful and tasty heirloom.
Read More: Best and Beautiful Copia heirloom tomato.

I bought seeds at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Each packet contains 20 seeds. Save any extra seeds in a cool, dry, dark location. You should be able to use these seeds for the next couple of years.

A cross between’Green Zebra’ and ‘Marvel Stripe,’ both excellent heirlooms. Photo: PBH.

 

Comments Off on Copia tomato

Posted in Ozarks Travel Examiner

Tagged , ,

Three blue vegetables for home gardeners

Posted on October 18, 2012 | Comments Off on Three blue vegetables for home gardeners

Dragon Tongue, eat fresh or leave on vine to fully mature for shelling beans. Photo: PBH

Dragon Tongue fresh tender snap beans. Close your eyes, and taste one of the best fresh snap beans. Prepare as you would any green beans.

To keep their color and tenderness, this bean is best served fresh. Excellent lightly steamed and served with chive or dill butter.

Rosa Biance eggplant, beautiful and mild flavored. No two look alike. Photo: PBH

Rosa Bianca eggplant is not bitter, an Italian heirloom eggplant. Creamy white teardrop shaped. Taste this eggplant and you will know why it has been around for generations.

The mild flavor of this eggplant is perfect for eggplant parmesean or vegetable lasagne.

Indigo Rose will be red on the side of thr fruit that is shaded and blue where it is exposed to full sun. Photo: PBH

Indigo Rose are very blue saladette size tomatoes. Very high in Anthocyanins.

Use fresh in salads, on kabobs or cut inhalf to dry (dehydrate)

The blue pigments, the Anthocyanins, are what makes the reds, purples and blues of fruits or vegetables. Anthocyanins have been linked to cancer fighting and anti aging benifits.

Read more about where to find these blue foods on My Hub Pages.

 

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Comments Off on Three blue vegetables for home gardeners

Posted in Ozarks Travel Examiner

Tagged , , , , ,