Planning for Spring Blooms

Every child is born a naturalist. His eyes are, by nature, open to the glories of the stars, the beauty of the flowers, and the mystery of life. ~R. Search

Each spring I take walks around our property looking for green popping up from the ground.  It never fails that I look a tad too early, and wonder why the daffodils aren't sprouting yet. It's hard to be patient after a long winter.  It's even more difficult to gear up for planting in the fall for blooms that won't be seen for several months.  I wrote an article the other day for Old Fashioned Living on naturalizing bulbs.  Yes, I was a bit long winded, but there were a lot of tips to share on the subject.  Naturalizing is such a whimsical way to plant bulbs that it's hard not to smile while I'm writing:)

The article is here: http://oldfashionedliving.com/How-to-Plant-Bulbs-for-a-Burst-of-Color.html

~Brenda

Putting the Garden to Bed

I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

It's almost time for the garden season to end here in Michigan, and that means "putting the garden to bed" as the old phrase goes. I wrote an article for Old Fashioned Living with tips on putting your fall days to good use preparing the soil, storing bulbs, bringing in herbs and more. I love working outside in the fall! You'll find the new article here: http://oldfashionedliving.com/Putting-the-Garden-to-Bed.html

This was a rather odd garden season with the heat and lack of rain. My roses are doing better now than they were earlier in the summer, now that it's not so hot.  The gladiola, hibiscus and even the calendula were light on blooms too. I'm looking forward to the fall color in Michigan this year, and the crisp cool air.  We're planning on preparing a place for a new herb garden this fall.  I hope you all are enjoying the last days of summer.

~Brenda

A Labor Day Menu for Friends and Family

All of us, from time to time, need a plunge into freedom and novelty, after which routine and discipline will seem delightful by contrast. ~André Maurois

I hope you all have a lovely Labor Day weekend.  My two boys started college classes this week, and my daughter is starting middle school on Tuesday, so it's been a busy week and we're ready for some relaxing.  We are thinking about heading out to Lake Michigan for a walk on the pier, which my husband and I have been doing together for over twenty years now.  We always go later in the day, and stay to catch the sunset:)

I put together a Labor Day menu I hope you all will enjoy.  It includes:

Grilled Chicken Wings & Legs
Spicy Grilled Burgers
Red Potato Salad
Savory Coleslaw

You'll find the article here: http://oldfashionedliving.com/Labor-Day-Menu.html

Drive safely this weekend and enjoy yourself!
~Brenda

Easy Weekday Casseroles

The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

When I wrote the newest article for Old Fashioned Living  it had cooled off a bit here in Michigan, and my thoughts were drifting towards autumn days.  Now it's back up to 90 and humid, and I'm avoiding the oven again.  The nights are still cooler than they have been though and I know those autumn days really are on their way.  Casseroles are great weekday dishes during the cooler weather, and I've shared a few recipes and tips in that newest article.  You'll find:

Easy Pizza Bake
Ham and Noodles Casserole
Easy Chicken Tetrazzini
Salmon Noodle Casserole

You'll find these recipes here:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/Easy-Weekday-Casseroles.html

~Brenda

Easy Meals for Busy Families: Mexican Chicken

The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives. ~Robert Maynard Hutchins

I wrote an article for today that includes a recipe for slow cooked Mexican Chicken and refried beans. This is one of my favorite meals because it can be used for burritos, tacos or nachos with little fuss plus leftovers are great for after school snacks or lunches.  The chicken can also be used in recipes for white chicken chili or chicken enchiladas.  

You'll find the recipe with variations and more pictures here:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/Easy-Dinner-For-A-Busy-Family.html

~Brenda

Back to School Tips: The Lunch Box

While we try to teach our children all about life,

Our children teach us what life is all about.

~Angela Schwindt

The second article I wrote for our Back to School theme this week includes tips for keeping school lunches nutritious, varied and thrifty.  What works for one child may not work for another, so flexibility is important. I found a few great tips in a home economics book that was published in 1933.  It also made me appreciate the insulated lunch bags and ice packs we have available to make packing a lunch much easier.  This is one reason I love cookbooks from the early 1900's.  They tend to have thrifty recipes made from scratch with basic ingredients.

You'll find a recipe for a unique egg salad and nice ideas for sandwich spreads. The article is here:  http://oldfashionedliving.com/The-School-Lunch-.html .

Even if you don't have kids in school, you'll still love the lunch ideas!

~Brenda

Back to School Tips: After School Snacks

What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child. ~George Bernard Shaw

School starts here in Michigan the day after Labor Day, but I know many states have started already. It's going to be a strange year for me because for the first time I only have one child in school. My daughter is going into 7th grade, my oldest is starting his second year of college, and my middle son is starting his first year of college. I remember writing articles for Old Fashioned Living when Emily was born, which means I've known many of you for over 10 years now.  The time has went by very quickly, and it's hard to believe my daughter is 12 already. 

All this week I'll be sharing Back to School tips and recipes, but they'll also come in handy for work lunches and college care packages. I've certainly learned a lot through trial and error:)

The article I wrote for today has after school snack recipes and tips. You'll find tips on items to keep in the refrigerator and pantry, plus these recipes:

Easy Apple Butter
Indian Muffins
Spicy Cheese Scones

The article is here:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/After-School-Snacks.html

~Brenda