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Learning to Grow Flowers

My journey in learning to grow flowers should be documented, I thought. So here I am sharing a few of my experiences.

Our Little Kentucky House

In 2022, we bought a little house in Kentucky in the little town of Fordsville. Our first move without children in over 40 years. I expected our lives would become slower-paced. With so much time on our hands, I imagined finally working on my photos, finishing my book, and growing flowers.

Learning to grow flowers
Azaleas which I inherited

Life has not become any slower-paced. Though I have made a start, I have turned the photos over to the kids to scan and make digital files, I have not finished my book. However, I have been on a journey learning to grow flowers. I have always wanted to grow flowers and other things. Growing herbs is about as far as I have gone in the past.

Flower Growing School

My knowledge about soil preparation, compost, or mulch is very little. Seed starting, watering, and plant schedules are a mystery. I am l truly a student. This year I am going to a flower-growing school in my yard.

Gifts of Flowers

Since moving to Fordsville, several friends have shared plants and flowers with me. Every year, my friend Pam gives me a plant from her garden. Day lilies, irises, and strawberries have survived so far. My friend Francis has blessed me with snippets of sweet peas, phlox, chives, onions, etc. She even took me on a four-wheeler around her property, teaching me about wild edible plants with which I have a fascination. She is a wealth of knowledge.

Learning to grow flowers
Irises from my friend Pam

Learning to grow flowers

On our recent visit to West Virginia, I dug up a hibiscus root to bring home from my in-laws’ house. Last year, I was permitted to dig up some daffodils from the lot next door to the church building. It is covered every spring. I planted them along my backyard fence. They all came back this year.

Planting Bulbs for the First Time

In the fall, I built three planter boxes with a little help from my sons, who helped me build the largest one and fill it with soil. I had ordered bulbs, but didn’t get them planted before our trip. When we came back in November from our two months in Malawi, I had not planted any bulbs. I thought I had missed my opportunity to plant them.

My friend Lisa at Red Barn Blooms in Beaver Dam, Kentucky, who has taught me so much about growing flowers, encouraged me to go ahead and plant them. I am so glad I did.

Learning to grow flowers
My first tulips

(We also buy our beef from her farm. It’s the best!)  https://www.facebook.com/redbarnblooms.lp

Most of my bulbs came up! Spring is so exciting!

My first experience with starting seeds indoors didn’t go too well. I am not sure if the potting soil was bad, I overwatered, or what the problem was. One tray of flowers did germinate, and I have started planting them. I did build a grow station, and I hope I will do better next time.

Spring is here, and I have been digging up my yard and planting flowers, herbs, and even a tomato plant. Several of my grandchildren have come to visit, and we planted flowers!

Learning to grow flowers
White Tulips
Learning to grow flowers
Millie and Mommy planting flowers
Learning to grow flowers
Asher is planting the hibiscus root from WV
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God’s Soap Making

God's Soap Making
Hand washing laundry with bar soap in Malawi

God’s Soap Making

Years ago, my dear friend Betty Fitzsimmons shared with me the concept of God’s soap making. She talked about the sacrifices in the Old Testament. The ash, the water, and the fat that we see evident in these Old Testament sacrifices.

As a soap maker (lye soap maker) myself, I found this very interesting at the time and have never forgotten it.

In Malawi,  laundry is done with water drawn from a nearby well and scrubbed by hand, in a bucket with bar soap. Unlike the lye soap I make, it is green. I have yet to figure out why it is green.

Recently, I came across this article in Apologetics Press and thought it would be great to share with you.

https://apologeticspress.org/gods-soap-recipe-517/

Have you made such connections? Have you connected the washing in Titus 3:5 with the cleansing in the Old Testament and the cleansing in baptism?

And 1 Peter 3:21 “There is also an antitype which now saves us – baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus, Christ,

God is amazing! His word is amazing! Jump in today!

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Fermented Lemon Ginger Honey and a Quilt Story

This is how I learned about Fermented Lemon Ginger Honey. Last year in January, I got sick. Regina, a friend from church, sent me some of this concoction. It was so soothing to my scratchy throat, cough, and cold symptoms! I couldn’t wait to make some of my own and I have been making it for a year now. I try to always keep some on hand.

While in Malawi I made some for our host who was also suffering the same symptoms. He also found relief.

Instructions Found Here:

Follow the link below for the YouTube video tutorial. https://youtu.be/NxrlSrslq4c?si=vTbAuWUWh2Fhfh1T

Ingredients:

organic lemons, fresh ginger and unfiltered honey.

Start by adding some honey to the bottom of the pint jar, then layer lemon slices, ginger, and more honey. Repeat until it is full. I seal the top with the honey. It looks really thick as you make it, but soon it will be juicy. I check it and push down the lemons each day or flip the jar over a couple of times. Sometimes I cover the top with honey if needed. I let it ferment for two weeks. It is soothing by the spoonful or in hot tea.

It really is amazing.

 

The Quilt Story. The photo of the beautiful quilt is just to spread a little homemade happiness today. This was made from scavenged pieces of fabric from old clothes. It was made many years ago by my husband’s grandmother. She passed away in 1982. I was told she made enough of these quilts that her children, grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren were able to have one of these handmade treasures.

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Simple Joys – Let’s Catch Up

Simple Joys

Home

Since we got home we have enjoyed the simple joys of hot clean water, sleeping in our own beds, cooking, preparing flower beds for spring, and mostly visiting with our families. Biological and Christian.

Malawi

Having spent two months in Malawi (September 12 – November 8) it is good to sleep in our own beds. As we left the airport, we headed to West Virginia to visit my mother-in-law and two sisters in laws. Happily reunited and finding them in good health. We enjoyed a short visit with them. Then we made it home on the second night, where we slept 10 hours! We continued this trend for several days.

Three of our sons came and helped us with some unfinished projects. They helped us finish the gutter and prepare for winter in our little house.  I was able to get a couple of flower boxes ready to plant for spring.  My new focus is on studying cut flowers. Herbs have been a favorite of mine for many years.

Christmas Jam and Saurkraut

One of my hobbies is learning new things. Keeping the old crafts alive. My husband made a batch of saurkraut. I’ve still yet to make my first batch. Christmas Jam has been on my list since last year, and I am glad I was able to finally make some. Here is the recipe I used. https://www.theseasonedmom.com/christmas-jam/ 

Simple Joys
Christmas Jam
Simple Joys
Saurkraut

On Thanksgiving, we gathered at my mom’s house. This has been our tradition for many years. My sister and I spent Wednesday with Mom and helped get prepared.

We are not all able to be together every year, because we live in 5 different states, but there’s always a crowd, good food, and usually a game or two.  This year, 24 of our family gathered. Their younger cousins enjoyed running around and playing, and sneaking marshmallows.

My mother is an amazing quilter and has been making each grandchild a quilt. This year, James received his quilt. The Underground Railroad. She took his love for history and made his quilt historical. It is beautiful and he was thrilled.

Simple Joys
Underground Railroad

Turkey Bone Broth

I brought home the turkey bones. I know I am selfish 🙂 I made 3 quarts of bone broth. Yummy. To make the broth, I throw the bones in my crock pot or Instant Pot. Cover them with water with a couple of tablespoons of vinegar, some celery leaves, a bit of onion, and a carrot, etc., and cook them on low for 24 hours. The Instant Pot, I usually cook them for 3-4 hours until the bones are soft.

Simple Joys
Bone broth

We kicked off Christmas and celebrated one of our grandsons’ 4 birthday. Graham Cracker houses have been part of our Christmas for a long time. It’s fun to see the second generation enjoying this tradition.

Today we have beautiful snow. We are staying home.

Simple Joys
The tree in front of our house

Now we are back to work on our record keeping and reporting as we finish up this year. How did December get here so fast?

Thanks for reading along. Hug your family and don’t forget to enjoy the little things, the simple joys of living.

 

 

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Skillet Spaghetti

Today I would like to share a recipe with you that I received many years ago. More than 25 years ago.

A friend of mine, Cindy and I did Once a Month cooking together. We would get together and make a menu, shop and then have one big cook day for a month of dinners.

Cindy shared this recipe and it has been a long time favorite. I lost the recipe for a while but I would make it from my memory. It came from a magazine article but I never knew which magazine. (If anyone is reading this and knows who the credit should go to let me know!)

It’s a very easy recipe whether you make it ahead and freeze it or make it day of your meal.

I still make it though we are empty nesters. Let me know if you make it!

Skillet Spaghetti
Skillet Spaghetti

Skillet Spaghetti

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef

2 medium onions, chopped

7 oz. spaghetti

28 ounces diced tomatoes, undrained

3/4 cup chopped green pepper

1/2  water

8 ounces sliced mushrooms, drained

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.

Directions:

In a large skillet, brown beef and onions; drain. Stir in uncooked spaghetti and the next eight ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until spaghetti is tender. Sprinkle with cheese; cover and heat until melted. 4-6 servings.

Happy cooking!

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Simple Pleasures – Herbs, Sun Tea, Fresh Mowed Grass

I have been enjoying the simple pleasures of summer. Making sun tea in the morning sun. Mowing my lawn with my push mower and smelling the fresh mowed grass. Hot, sweaty work, but rewarding.

Herbs

Growing herbs, using them in tea, and for medicinal purposes, and in cooking is so satisfying. Today I picked some herbs and dried them to use later. My house smells so good.

Even if I didn’t use my herbs, I still benefit greatly from growing them. It elevates my mood to play in the dirt and to see things growing.

Educational

Learning about herbs and their uses is very exciting. Especially, reading how people contemporary with my grand and great-grandmothers used herbs to treat all kinds of ailments and illnesses is exciting and so educational and hopeful in a world filled with pharmceuticals.

Stories

I often say my yard has stories. I enjoy looking at my flowers and herbs and knowing who shared a sprig or root of each plant that I might have my own. It is so fun!

I hope you are enjoying your own simple pleasures of summer.

Simple pleasures
Mullein- Picked on a forage into the back woods with my friend Francis.
Simple pleasures
Dill – early summer from my friend Francis
Simple pleasures
Oregano
Simple pleasures
Sun Tea
Simple pleasures
Fresh mowed grass
Simple pleasures
Fresh Herbs from my herb garden
Simple pleasures
Dried herbs
Simple pleasures
Phlox – from my friend Francis
Simple pleasures
Day lilies from my friend Pam (2 years ago)
Simple pleasures
Irises – from my friend Pam last year
Simple pleasures
Glorious Deep Purple Iris – from my friend Pam last year
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Orange Balls – A No-Bake Recipe

Orange Balls (a no-bake recipe)

We have made these easy orange balls for many years and they are so simple even children can make them. I’ve enjoyed making these with my children and grandchildren.

I hope you like them too.

Ingredients:

1 box vanilla wafers crushed (I do this in my food processor)

 One pound powdered sugar

1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

6 oz. orange juice concentrate thawed undiluted

1 stick margarine melted

** coconut to roll the balls in

Directions:

Combine the crushed wafers, powdered sugar, nuts, and orange juice. After these first ingredients are blended I add the melted margarine and blend again.

Shape about 1 Tablespoonful into a ball and roll in coconut. Place in a paper cup or on your tray.

These dry out quickly so you need to roll them in the coconut quickly or keep them covered.  If you are not making them all at once then cover the remainder of the dough and refrigerate it. This makes about 6 or 7 dozen.

Orange Balls
Orange Balls Ingredients

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Merry Christmas! Free Book

Merry Christmas

Most of my childhood and adult memories around Christmas come from spending time with family. Baking together, crafting together, doing puzzles, going caroling, watching Christmas classics on TV.

Many years ago when the kids were young we would make Christmas Sweet Trays to sell. I still make them mostly to gift. I wrote a small ebook about my Baking for Profit experience and published it way back when. For the next week (18-25) you can download it for free. It contains many of the recipes I make around the holidays. Several are no bake and kid friendly recipes even for younger children.

I hope this year you will enjoy time with your family baking, laughing, singing, and just being together. These memories endure.

Free Book

To enjoy this free download open the shop tab and look for the Baking for Profit ebook.

Baking for Profit
Baking for Profit

 

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Christmas Strawberries

Christmas Strawberries

When I was a child, we received this recipe for Christmas strawberries, as a gift from the bank. The bank gave a collection of recipes printed on index cards as a gift at Christmas time. This was one of the recipes from that collection. I do not know who created the recipe.  I have been making these for many many years.

Christmas Strawberries ( a no-bake, gluten-free recipe) 

Christmas Strawberries
Christmas Strawberries

2 – 6 oz. packages of strawberry jello

2 cups chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) and 2 cups of coconut

1 can condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring

**Red and green sugar are needed to roll the berries in

Empty dry jello into a bowl; add nuts, coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla. Blend. I blend in my mixer. Keep the mixture covered until you are ready to shape because this mixture will dry fast. With your hands shape two teaspoonfuls into a strawberry shape and roll the pointed end in red sugar. Then dip the large end in green sugar. You may let them dry on waxed paper or place them in paper cups. These can be stored in the fridge for a week if they last that long. You may freeze strawberries for up to 6 months. This recipe makes about 80 strawberries. They look beautiful on trays! I grew up with this recipe and always receive a lot of great comments about the taste and appearance of these little strawberries.

Add color to trays.

Christmas Strawberries
Christmas Strawberries
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Mullein – Home Remedies

A Ride Through the Woods

Yesterday, I had a wonderful ride on a four-wheeler with my friend F.M. (she likes her privacy). My friend is 80+ years old and gets around like a young person. She is teaching me to identify Mullein. She lives on the land her husband grew up on, and generations have lived there before them. There’s evidence that Native Americans spent time on this land, too.

We had a beautiful ride through the Kentucky woods behind her house. The trees were stunning with their fall colors. The creek and rocks were timeless. This was my first time in these woods. It was such a treat. I saw remnants of previous houses and barns, the spring where she gets her drinking water and places they hunt.

Learning to identify Mullein

F.M. is a retired nurse yet she makes home remedies which were passed down from her dad to her and now to her daughters and to me. On this trip I was the student. She showed me how to identify Mullein. Best places to look for it growing. We found a lot of dead seed heads but finally found some living plants. We collected leaves and one plant with roots which I was able to plant in my herb bed at home.

She told me how to make use of the leaves. Last night I was able to take some washed leaves and steep them to make a tea to help my husband with congestion.