tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77641841284418746142012-02-15T11:07:55.452-08:00Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.comBlogger1191100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-51098026053041317502012-02-14T23:16:00.000-08:002012-02-14T23:16:30.220-08:00

Valentine message in a bottle Guys usually don't care for fussy gifts and honestly, they can be real stinkers to shop for.   If your guy is like mine, finding just the right gift can seem virtually impossible at times, especially when you have been married as long as I have.  Thankfully every once in a while I do run across one that is perfect, one that says "Honey I love you".  This idea from

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-5477072904580210982012-02-06T11:01:00.000-08:002012-02-06T11:01:59.091-08:00

Enchilada Chicken Roll up filling For some reason I haven't felt much like writing lately.  But I have felt like cooking and last night in the kitchen was amazing.  My brain just went straight to "inspired chef" mode as I opened the fridge, saw the cilantro and remembered the fragrance of spices in the pan from the last time I made enchilada sauce.  It's times like these that make cooking

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-34918441953877698032012-01-11T08:48:00.000-08:002012-01-11T08:48:05.450-08:00

Wait don't go Moon Most mornings before as my husband heads out the door to go to work I am right in front of him; my van is parked in front of his in our driveway and needs to be parked on the street so he can get out.  Yesterday morning as I scurried back in from the cold I noticed the full moon as it made its appearance in the western sky behind our house.  Thin clouds glowing lovingly

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-23046378466719676502012-01-07T12:58:00.000-08:002012-01-07T12:58:16.237-08:00

The early signs of Botrytis cinerea on Cydonia oblonga 'Van Damen' It may still be winter but there are things we need to be doing to prepare for a healthy harvest in the coming season.  I am looking out my front window at my Quince tree which has taken "forever" to lose its leaves this year.  It's January and there are still leave on it!  I was seriously thinking of borrowing my husband's

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-69482631639390704312011-12-27T19:03:00.000-08:002011-12-27T19:03:42.470-08:00

Have you ever had to come up with a gift for someone that was a challenge because of the color.  That was my thing this year.  I was invited to take part in a "Secret Santa Gift Exchange" with some new friends on Facebook.  Now if you haven't ever done this I highly recommend it...its a blast and a great way to make even better friends of the new friends.  The person whose name I drew...well...

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-54113997127925906772011-12-24T09:29:00.000-08:002011-12-24T09:29:47.946-08:00

Music, like bread is to be shared. This time of year is so busy for all of us.  Even when we chose to keep it simple we still can feel the pressure of the crush to get things done all around us.  As I was thinking about that this week I decided to share the verses of a song that I was given to write back in the mid 1987s.  Even today I find it is a good reminder of where my heart needs to be

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-63720073544279268532011-12-22T10:40:00.000-08:002011-12-22T10:32:04.562-08:00

'Tis the week before ChristmasAnd all through the house,Nothing looks different not inside or out.The stockings and tinsel are still in the bins,No goodies are ready to fill the gift tins.No presents are wrapped though simple they'll be,No lights are a twinklingAnd oh there's no tree. So what is the matter?Why so curmudgeon?Why did no cookies get baked in that oven? Sometimes life gets crazy,

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-56662972028675996582011-12-13T12:29:00.000-08:002011-12-13T12:29:46.686-08:00

What on earth is that?! Have you seen anything like this before?  I never had until this morning as I was headed out to run some errands and spotted this in the garden.  There was nothing else around it that looked remotely like it, no frost, it hadn't snowed and being a lover of such mysteries I wanted to find out what it was.  As I got closer I was amazed at what I saw...ribbons of ice

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-51155051375926350162011-12-12T13:49:00.000-08:002011-12-12T13:52:28.093-08:00

Glammed up fir cones ready to make a festive mark We here in the Pacific Northwest have a bountiful supply of Douglas Fir trees and a seemly never ending supply of fir cones from these trees.  (If you have ever lived or camped beneath these trees you know what I mean.)  So when I told a friend of mine I was using them for Christmas decorations I got "that look"...you know, the one that has

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-64086071877073878282011-12-08T17:48:00.000-08:002011-12-08T17:48:48.115-08:00

The first time I heard the words rosemary and cookies together I couldn't quite wrap my brain around why anyone would take a savory herb like rosemary and toss it into cookies.  It only took one bite of the samples a friend brought to an herb society meeting to convince me that this combination is genius, especially when paired with hazelnuts in a shortbread cookie.  The original recipe was

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-2722912125525235232011-11-25T12:01:00.000-08:002011-11-25T12:01:10.079-08:00

Candied Orange Peel Here is a great gift idea for the foodie in your life; candied citrus peel.  This confection is quite simple to make, turning something that often ends up in the compost into a sparkling culinary delight that is wonderful to use baking or to nibble on. When choosing fruit get fruit with thicker skin that is heavy for its size.  For this recipe I used organic oranges which

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-76515137077624127972011-11-13T13:57:00.000-08:002011-11-13T14:00:16.775-08:00

Apple Breakfast Break hot out of the oven.  Delish! Sunday mornings are a traditional time for yummy family breakfasts.   Apple Breakfast Bake, a recipe I found in a church cookbook years ago is a wonderful recipe for such a time.  Its simple and lovely enough for serving to guests. Made from things most of us have on hand APPLE BREAKFAST BAKEPreheat oven to 400 F Ingredients:4 tbs

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-10898293119019150962011-11-12T07:44:00.000-08:002011-11-12T07:44:25.476-08:00

Love the crock pot! After sharing the post on Quincelet candy with a friend and getting back a response about it being "labor intensive", it made me think about what I wrote and I decided I should share the simplest way to prepare quince that I know in a separate post...cooking them in a crock pot. Quartering makes coring easier Wash off the outer fuzz, peel, core and dice quince.  I

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-7799269623650611612011-11-06T20:29:00.000-08:002011-11-06T20:29:43.169-08:00

Walking into delight How can I put into words the beauty of this day?  The trees caught fire?  The leaves shone like sunlight through stained glass?  It sounds so pale in comparison to the experience I had of walking amid the trees today. Rose and evergreen above my head Back lit leaves at my feet Tawny leather leaves of the grand Oaks To walk beneath them, to peer into their

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-86695577197507062542011-11-04T19:46:00.000-07:002011-11-04T19:47:21.632-07:00

Quincelets are born! Sometimes digging a little deeper to find answers helps.  After the dismal results from my first attempt at making quince candy I decided to look for recipes for a different type of candy that also uses fruit that I could substitute quince for.  Enter "Aplets and Cotlets".  It is exactly what I was hoping for and I am excited to say that it works beautifully.  So today I

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-39012274658167548862011-10-31T14:26:00.000-07:002011-10-31T14:26:48.771-07:00

DIY Seed Packet from scrapbook paper. Do you need a quick inexpensive little gift idea for your gardening friends?  Here is a little seed packet that is super fast to make (under 5 minutes each), costs pennies and is easy enough for the kids to do too. So many fun options for colors You will need.... 12" x 12" scrap book paper (printed on one side and not card stock) Scissors or paper

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-68679053798113719592011-10-26T18:18:00.000-07:002011-10-26T18:18:13.041-07:00

Quince (Cydonia oblonga 'Van Damen') in my husband's large mits Looking for the perfect quince candy recipe?  So am I. This post was supposed to be about quince candy that was a bite of heaven but this recipe turned out more like chunky jam instead.  I made some once before but could not for the life of me find the recipe I used (its probably hiding someplace safe) so I had to find a new one

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-8067135851125241922011-10-14T20:34:00.000-07:002011-10-14T20:34:25.683-07:00

Mrs Patty's Stew There is nothing that says Fall quite like stew made with fresh tomatoes and a host of other veggies.  My mom used to make stew often.  It was one of our favorite meals and still is today.  Stew is one of those beautiful meals where exact measurements of the vegetables isn't really necessary.  I find I put in more or less of some things as I have them available and often don't

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-64545860369141897762011-10-13T19:03:00.000-07:002011-10-13T19:03:34.037-07:00

You know how those simple requests that are asked of friend sometimes turn out to be really cool blessings.  Well my good pal Gardening Jones blessed my socks off this week after I gave her permission to use my gnome photos in a project she was working on. Gnomette waiting for makeup and hoping for a closeup I had no idea they would become movie stars and then a link to my blog too!  Just

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-79622589935426765042011-10-10T17:26:00.000-07:002011-10-10T17:26:36.086-07:00

Was your blueberry harvest less than it should be?  Do the leaves of your blueberry plants get burnt looking edges and look unhealthy?  This is something to be concerned about as it is not regular fall color. Symptomatic leaves of Vaccinium 'Berkley Blue' Last year when all the blossoms blasted I blamed the birds for eating them off the plant...though I had no proof and it literally seemed to

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-51086636004412781742011-10-07T14:47:00.000-07:002011-10-07T14:47:38.619-07:00

Have you ever passed up a good thing without really thinking it through.  Well that is what I almost did just that.  A while back I did a product review on the Seed Keeper Deluxe seed storage system. I really  liked the concept, found it to be well thought out and nicely designed over all.  But then I looked at my huge seed box and went "Naw...too small for me." and decided I it would make a

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-15310954756221973632011-09-29T09:38:00.000-07:002011-09-29T09:38:08.485-07:00

Have you gone searching for little bits of beauty in the garden as it begins it's Fall decline?  You should really.  It's amazing the things we can see when we look past the obvious.  I found a few delights in my own garden yesterday I wanted to share with you.  Come join me for a little tour. Soapwart still beautiful and in full bloom Future preserves abounding Seedheads have color too

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-56825292913275165532011-09-20T10:05:00.000-07:002011-09-20T10:05:13.893-07:00

Meet the Ground Cherry - Physalis pruinosa Have you ever eaten a ground cherry before?  I recommend you try them if you haven't. They are becoming more popular again and are in my opinion one of the more delightful kid-friendly veggies we can grow in our gardens. Sweet fruit with a complex flavor These interesting plants have been grown in American gardens for nearly two centuries and

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-79223892985665809522011-09-19T19:43:00.000-07:002011-09-20T10:06:56.372-07:00

How's your seed storage organization?  If you are like a lot of folks I know you may stash seeds in the odd kitchen drawer, in a can in the garage, or where ever there is room.  If you are one of these types then you also know that this is the perfect way to lose seeds via not remembering where you stashed them. So what is a person to do? This week I received a "Seed Keeper Deluxe" seed storage

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-6400770288281901542011-09-06T08:27:00.000-07:002011-09-06T08:27:37.208-07:00

Are you looking for veggies that are kid friendly to add to your garden?  Here is one that is perfect for the kiddos...Ground Cherries!  There are a few varieties such as the heirloom "Aunt Mollies" or newer "Pineapple" ground cherry and though it looks like a miniature tomatillo it tastes a lot different and makes a sweet treat for little ones in the garden.  Here let me show you.What could

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-51737498336217156952011-08-30T15:00:00.000-07:002011-08-30T15:00:46.946-07:00

Are you bad at cutting off spent flower heads?  Has this task been on the bottom of your “needs to be done” list all summer and now you are staring at dead flower heads everywhere.  Take heart!  I’m here with good news! Enula, my Enulam I have so forsaken thee! It has been one of those years for me too, but I’m not going to sing the blues about it, NOPE not this gardener!  There is a

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-21400852985631242402011-08-26T10:11:00.000-07:002011-08-26T20:08:20.864-07:00

Do you ever have anxiety over not being able to find out why something isn't working or looking the way its supposed to in your garden?  It seems every year there is something in my garden that does it for me.  This year it is the eggplant.  They are actually growing fine but when I went to harvest the ripe ones the other day here is what I discovered on one of them.  It had me stumped.

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-1175220897056862732011-08-20T15:35:00.000-07:002011-08-20T15:35:14.807-07:00

There is just no other way to say it; every year I work hard, I strive to water, feed and watch carefully.  And then look at what happens! My only turnip...food for root maggots. Now granted, I did not sow these seeds, at least I didn't that I remember, though I have been known to regularly toss old seeds out in the compost heap so in essence I guess I did.   There were originally two of

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-68681191772994459622011-08-17T09:46:00.000-07:002011-08-17T09:47:19.690-07:00

Life makes no sense sometimes...probably more times than I want to admit, though most of the time what seems crazy doesn't really matter and is nothing more than a glitch or a bump in the road and life goes on without a hitch.  However, yesterday I received news in a phone call that shook me...news that I am still trying to process. Like two colors of flowers on the same plant a lot of life

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-33964390377511218282011-08-13T12:33:00.000-07:002011-08-13T12:33:07.997-07:00

Do you like Orchids?  If not, have you ever wondered why so many people do?  I had to ask myself that question a couple years ago and found some interesting reasons for my seeming disinterest in them.  When it came to Orchids, I confess, I was ignorant by choice and held to the attitude that they are hard to grow and people who like them are crazy.  I was being an all out plant snob about it and

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-66086984356828731792011-08-10T15:37:00.000-07:002011-08-10T15:37:56.559-07:00

Unassuming native fruit, Oregon Grape (Mahonia nervousa) Can you remember the first time you tasted wild fruit?  For me it is as if it happened an hour ago.  When we first moved to Oregon we lived just south of Portland near a swimming hole called "Wally's Dam"...a place my brother and I lived at during the warm summer months.  To get to Wally's, we had to walk across our neighbor's horse

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-34458369405215234632011-08-05T19:35:00.000-07:002011-08-07T06:31:31.789-07:00

The other day I walked into a thrift shop to do some creative dreaming and was surprised to find so many things in one spot that I could use. Bodice, hat and hands all at one store. Antique tin light collars, a belt with a very cool buckle, sweet beads and pink lace. It wasn't until today when I found this pink lace that the vision of this repurposed scarecrow really came into focus.  Then

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-75129238450064011502011-08-02T10:06:00.000-07:002011-08-10T15:38:37.182-07:00

It is a busy season in my vegetable garden, a season of feasting and watching and waiting As I was thinking about my garden this morning I was reminded how life is always in transition, just like the garden.  It is never static, always changing, things dying, things growing, doors opening, closing, no pauses, no rewinding.  What happens in the past affects the future trajectory of one's

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-47770621289091872772011-07-27T20:30:00.000-07:002011-08-07T06:34:30.295-07:00

Oh the horror!!! To my horror I discovered some of you have been suffering with having to look at a glaring electric green and a purple, which I understand is more like a purple crayon purple.  (ugh...why is this so challenging???) My deepest apologies!  I am working on finding some solution for this issue.  It is frustrating for me as I spent a lot of time getting those colors just right,

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-67640315820771402032011-07-24T20:15:00.000-07:002011-08-07T06:35:32.259-07:00

Along the brick path of my dooryard garden, a little lavender blooms, Lavendula officinalis 'Blue Cushion'.  Its lovely soft blue and pink flowers have been filled with butterflies and bees for several days now.   And no I am not pulling your leg when I said blue and pink flowers...there are indeed two colors of flowers growing on this one plant. My little mutant The flowers of 'Blue Cushion'

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-25657864872725198412011-07-22T12:19:00.000-07:002011-08-07T06:37:15.273-07:00

A few months ago I wrote a blog post on Birds and Blooms Blog about how I just can't seem to grow dill.  Honestly I have done everything I know how and this is what the results end up being...and this was a good year. Well when I fail at least I'm consistent. It seems some things will never change...at least not this year.

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-62060882690151852402011-07-21T13:17:00.000-07:002011-08-07T06:38:25.105-07:00

After my classes yesterday I headed straight out to my garden where I checked in on our spuds, tomatoes and garlic, picked a few Sugar Snap Peas and a whole array of yummy things for our evening salad.  As I washed it all and piled it in the bowl I couldn't help but sigh at this beautiful sight. About the prettiest mix I think I've ever gathered. This salad consists of fragrant soft yellow

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-81889571221716490462011-07-20T22:20:00.000-07:002011-08-07T06:40:54.740-07:00

My brain is just a bit tuckered from all the new information it is being forced to process after a social media class I participated in today so you all get a break from my usual wordiness.  Heaven forbid not a Wordless Wednesday post...me wordless...never!    Instead of Weedy Wednesday here is a photo that is close to my heart...the weirdest pruning job I've seen to date. Almost gave myself

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-60628137546576502032011-07-13T12:25:00.000-07:002011-08-07T06:41:36.885-07:00

Welcome to another Weedy Wednesday post. Today I thought I would focus on how to properly identify two very similar weeds, Dandelion and Cat's Ears or False Dandelion.  We all know the Dandelion but I'm guessing that some of you may be unfamiliar with the fact that there is an imposter afoot...the False Dandelion.  It came by that name for good reason as it is very often improperly identified as

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-32888195280685425652011-07-12T11:21:00.000-07:002011-08-07T06:43:29.839-07:00

Here's what all the fuss is about. Usually I try to steer clear of controversial political subjects whenever possible but the news about Oak Park Michigan taking Julie Bass to court over her putting a vegetable garden in her front yard was something I have to speak up about. Julie is someone who by all accounts, performed her due diligence before she built this front yard vegetable garden and

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-35927766169345148742011-06-30T17:47:00.000-07:002011-08-07T06:46:34.059-07:00

Teasel has transitioned from weed to a plant worthy of some attention in my world.  It's not like I am going to go out and sow it willy-nilly in the garden but I do grow it every year and have for some time now, finding it rather entertaining. Because it is a roadside weed,  people pass it by, never really looking at it normally but they do see it in my garden and are often amazed when they

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-36539800917240944732011-06-26T18:25:00.000-07:002011-08-07T06:49:58.875-07:00

I took a little stroll in my garden out back after we finished doing some much needed weed pulling and mowing.  Here are some things I saw that I thought you might enjoy. Come on follow me...... This was gift to me from my hubby because the Hummingbirds love it and I suspect he likes it too. Kniphofia (Torch Lily) I love to play with color in my large planters.  (Golden Feverfew (top), '

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-55727187441540653192011-06-23T22:16:00.000-07:002011-08-07T06:52:50.328-07:00

June is supposed to be rose season where I live, though we were wondering what happened when they didn't show up for our Rose Festival this year.  I decided it was time to see how this season is coming along and here's what I found...its just too bad you won't be able to enjoy the fragrance as you join me in the tour. Oh the anticipation created by Rosa 'Vielchenblau' in bud. Only a few days

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-23629574484894720552011-06-22T12:13:00.000-07:002011-08-07T06:55:03.864-07:00

A weed or not a weed, that is the question. Is this a weed?  How do you know, or how come you don't know for sure?  The number one reason we don't is what is growing in our gardens is that we have not taken the time to become familiar with our plants!  Sorry for the slap on the wrist there but its true.  A gardener that does not care to become familiar with what their plants look like as

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-82663359946090525812011-06-18T18:11:00.000-07:002011-08-07T06:56:29.220-07:00

This morning I was sitting here ruminating and writing in my little red book about why I begin a project and end up choking and not finishing I decided to share my thoughts with you.  I know I am not the only one who ever suffered with this feeling insecurity, thinking things need to come out perfect or that it won't be good enough and others won't like it.  These thoughts cause me to not follow

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-70039375152766696262011-06-15T10:47:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:00:22.928-07:00

St. John's Wort is our "Weedy Wednesday" plant this week.  This plant has a conflicted reputation, a devil in one sense because it is a noxious weed, but in another sense a useful herb. It has brought some conflict among gardeners as to whether we should allow it to take root in our gardens too so I thought I'd share a little bit about it in the spirit of helping us make a wise decision. Chase

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-80396686237981762262011-06-14T19:38:00.000-07:002011-06-15T10:52:06.072-07:00

One of the coolest things about touring our local community gardens are all the great ideas people come up with when it comes to structures.  Its a living demonstration of what works and how well. This is pretty much what our family garden looked like when I was a kid...ground level This garden near my home is a good example.  Lets go take a look at what folks have come up with. Wood and

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-34196487357561574492011-06-10T09:11:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:02:07.660-07:00

If it were a perfect world plants to come with honest labels, even warning labels.  How many times have we found ourselves unwittingly bringing home plant thugs and joyfully planting them in our gardens.  Its not always labeling but can be disinformation such as an improper identification of a plant or...us getting caught up in the joy of our passion.  Either way the end is not as pretty as we

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-7938268106972196742011-06-05T21:58:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:09:53.746-07:00

I was out visiting my little garden this afternoon and found that it had all kinds of things to share with me.  Here is some of what I heard as I looked through the lens of my camera. Enjoy each day as a fleeting bloom Each day holds sweetness and beauty like a flower does.  To be able to recognize what exactly that is may not always be easy to do, but often is best seen as the flower of that

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-47935047991402676392011-06-01T19:32:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:03:04.558-07:00

When does a weed become a desirable plant?  It happens you know.  All it takes is some plant addicted person finding a weed that is sporting something unusual, like variegated or reddish leaves instead of just green and suddenly we find that plant marketed as the latest coolest thing and rocketing to garden stardom.  It will be found in magazines and in the gardens of plant collectors and addicts

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-83619205618444241342011-05-28T12:09:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:12:13.581-07:00

Well, its Rose Festival time here in Portland and as is normal we are getting rain.  Its not constant but it is wetting the ground good.  The odd thing that is happening this year is the roses are not even open yet and normally they are gorgeous by now.  Can't blame them a bit, its been cold, wet and gray all spring and they probably decided to pull the covers over their little flower buds a

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-39797369057133596712011-05-25T09:53:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:03:53.002-07:00

Well if you have followed me for a while you know I don't think like most people...or maybe a little off to the side from how most people think.  So with that said I came up with my own version of a series of Wednesday's special posts.  We are not going to have any wordless around here.  I won't stand for it.  I like words too much.   So what each Wednesday we are having Weedy Wednesday instead.

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-86907487561901220822011-05-21T16:34:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:05:17.186-07:00

Several years ago my husband decided to sell his Corvette.  It had been sitting in the garage, he rarely drove it and didn't seem to have the desire to restore it, so it seemed best.  He put in the ad and one day I came home to find a green truck parked in our driveway and my husband in the garage talking to a man who was looking to buy the car.  He was hoping to pay for it part in cash and part

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-14161572492562701862011-05-15T14:42:00.000-07:002011-05-15T14:42:53.776-07:00

This morning as I walked out my front door I discovered someone had stolen an entire flat of tomatoes from off our front porch.  That hurt...I can't say it any other way.  To be honest, gardening for the past three years has been discouraging and though I try hard to not let it get me down, things like this don't help as you can well imagine. Japanese Trifle tomatoes that were stolen May 14/15,

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-13559961638852983142011-05-14T17:28:00.000-07:002011-05-14T17:31:07.074-07:00

Food is a great common denominator among men.  No matter who you are you have to eat.  This makes food gardening something than spans cultures and generations beautifully.  Where and how we grow our food is defined by the climate we live in, the space we have available and the horticultural practices of our culture. In my neighborhood there are so many varied cultures that I get a world view of

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-91091856601365830602011-05-13T14:51:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:06:26.336-07:00

For those who were unaware, Blogger has been down in "read only" format for nearly two days.  I'm glad they finally fixed it because I was dying to share with you a couple of things this week...and of course my timing was such that I couldn't until now. So now that we are up and running again lets get to it! Bloom d' Coors I love metal and when I saw some metal flowers in a craft book I had

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-41475931619865103472011-05-04T12:41:00.000-07:002011-05-04T12:41:36.956-07:00

Lord help me, I think I’m gonna have to squeal like a schoolgirl I’m so happy!  Spring is springin’ finally!!!  I can tell because the seeds say it all and I am never more excited about any garden chore results than with the emergence of my little baby plants.  Spring is springin’…. In our sunny kitchen window Hope springs forth quickly with cucumber In my vegetable garden Stirring up hope

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-15179205286116072692011-04-30T09:50:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:14:04.585-07:00

Its a good thing the sun is shining today or I would be staying in bed with the covers pulled over my head.  Yesterday evening I went out to check on my veggie garden, the ones the cat love so much. These plants were laying all over the top of the soil and some buried too. True to form the cats once again took their liberty but this time decided to dig up my best looking sugar snap peas so

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-79539822862075814342011-04-29T13:52:00.000-07:002011-04-29T13:52:03.245-07:00

I wanted to catch you all up on how those tomato plants I sowed in milk jugs are doing. It has been at least 10 degrees cooler than normal for the past 2 months which is bad enough, but add to that record rain falls and record cloudy days for both months and that adds up to some slow growing when it comes to my tomatoes.  They are still alive and growing slowly and once the weather perks up (

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-78950574619289834762011-04-28T15:39:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:19:50.654-07:00

I think I’m in love and am so smitten I can barely stand it! I can feel a flower fever brewing and I don’t think it’s going to go away.  The fever started last year when I spied Petunia ‘Phantom’ for the first time. The Phantom that stole my heart Wow...something cool and new!  I cooed and chortled at its black iris flower embellished by buttery bands shooting from its center with just a hint

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-28443609089265384372011-04-22T15:48:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:17:28.341-07:00

Today has been one of our rare sunny days this spring.  Its usually not as cool or wet as it has been this year so I am behind on getting the gardening done.  I've learned over the years to not let the shifting sands of weather patterns ruffle my feathers...its a more enjoyable task if I don't and just go with the flow.  So today with the sunshine I went with getting our veggie boxes sown the

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-83805921068193652672011-04-18T12:55:00.000-07:002011-04-18T13:04:52.485-07:00

Just so you know I don't adore cats.  I like cats and I have even been fond of one or two that we have owned.  However, I also understand that they believe they are the ruling party wherever they decide to live and therein lies the problem. You would think they own the place. (Tater reclining on our couch) Well it ain't happenin' Puddie Pie!  I am the queen!  They are lucky to get fed with

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-83698113151198065322011-04-12T21:41:00.000-07:002011-04-12T21:41:11.940-07:00

Sigh....its finally spring! What better way to spend a couple of hours than to cruise the local plant nursery.  It was the perfect day for it so I grabbed the ol’ camera and shot out of the house as soon as I could get my shoes on.  The draw of the nurseries is tough to resist after all the snowy, rainy, frozen, gray days of winter.  Let me warn you though, those nurseries, they know we’re for

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-16781005557096824452011-04-11T20:47:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:19:07.852-07:00

For those of you who have been keeping up with my milk jug science project I have some updated photos to share.  These were taken a couple days after our freezing temperatures last week. They should make it just fine. Different varieties have different cold tolerances...this is a good thing to know I got lazy and didn't bother to pull them up close to the house and figured...live or die.

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-6190382803576246532011-04-11T08:17:00.000-07:002011-04-11T19:27:47.535-07:00

A new day begins I've been trying to figure out how to start this post.  Its kind of difficult to know how to approach this introduction...but here goes.  My friend Merv has Parkinson's disease, it wracks his body but I wanted to introduce you to more than a man with Parkinson's; I want to introduce you to a man who is not afraid to be seen as weak and trust God for His future.  So why is it

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-31074269167675899652011-04-05T20:34:00.000-07:002011-04-05T20:35:27.722-07:00

Our kitchens these days are filled with all sorts of products meant to inspire us to cook.  I'm not just talking about gadgets but a small thing...those spice jars.  How many of you have a drawer or rack full of dried herbs and spices and actually use “all” them?  Have you been mesmerized or inspired by one of those beautiful shiny pre-loaded spice racks because it seems quick and easy, so you

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-38274996569471019522011-03-29T23:22:00.000-07:002011-04-08T20:14:26.119-07:00

We've all seen them, those articles on "The 10 best Tools in Your Tool Shed" or "The 5 Tools No Gardener Can Live Without" or something like that.  Tools are very personal things to me so these titles make me cringe when I see them.  A few of us are lucky enough to have a tool that are family heirlooms passed down by parents or grand parents...tools we learned to garden with  These tools are the

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-65447738835041728412011-03-23T12:38:00.000-07:002011-04-08T20:15:38.867-07:00

We have all had more than our fill of disaster news of late,  I know I have.  It is such a grief to me to feel so utterly helpless when there is such great need as there is in the world and though I know our minds go straight to Japan, it is not just there but everywhere.  My heart cannot bear to look at it constantly.  If I did I would fall into despair without remedy. First buds of warm

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-33726052158163375542011-03-22T19:53:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:22:56.262-07:00

I hate paying the retail prices for plants I can grow myself don't you?  What was that you say?  You don't know how to grow plants so you always buy your tomatoes?  Well I hope this post will change your mind.  You don't need a greenhouse, you don't need lights or heating mats or other costly stuff to grow your own tomatoes.  If you have empty plastic milk jugs, some duct tape and some potting

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-36746513873337318602011-03-22T18:39:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:21:14.297-07:00

Oh I am so happy I just had to show you!  I am twittering like a momma bird over her babies today. The winter sown seeds I sowed a few weeks ago have all sprouted.  These were sown back on February 17th and it has been a cool and very wet March here so it took a bit more time than normal.  The little tubs have had no cover though I did have to bring them inside for one night because temps in the

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-54984805861324173922011-03-19T23:02:00.000-07:002011-04-08T20:16:18.214-07:00

Have you ever made seed tapes.  They are so handy and a great project to do with children.  But really for me, to be honest here, seed sowing is not one of my favorite garden chores.  Because of this I'm always looking for ways to make this necessary chore quicker and less painful. Part of the reason has to do with a truth that you youngsters will discover sooner than you probably want to which

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-42259334767880075582011-03-15T14:31:00.000-07:002011-04-08T20:13:47.575-07:00

Getting back into posting has been a little difficult after all that has happened in Japan.  It reminds me a lot of how I felt after my father passed away...like slogging through mud, my arms and legs heavy with grief.  I'm too empathetic for my own good sometimes.  In an effort to counter all the grief I was experiencing I turned off the television, shut down the laptop and decided to go to the

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-86597273606112618082011-03-08T20:11:00.000-08:002011-03-08T20:14:39.569-08:00

So a few weeks ago I started some vegetable seeds in recycled milk jugs and butter tubs.  Winter sowing is one of those ways gardeners keep from going completely insane when its snowing outside and winter seems like it will never end.  Its a great way to get a nice early start on early season veggies too and save a bundle by growing your own.  I have instructions on how I use the milk jugs in my

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-70803903739701307942011-03-03T09:55:00.000-08:002011-04-08T20:17:30.282-07:00

A small sampling of my collected past It’s a hard and good thing to look at what one has and realize when its time to let things go. To come to that point where you get it, that what you have collected, maybe things you used to enjoy using or owning are somehow keeping you from moving forward.  You can no longer look at them the way you once did because you see them from a completely different

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-90838552850678146422011-03-01T19:28:00.000-08:002011-04-08T20:18:11.307-07:00

So winter is fighting for its last breath here in the Pacific Northwest.  I'm so over winter this year.  Its a good thing I have other things to hold my attention.  Family birthdays, planning the veggie garden, winter sowing, purging piles of papers and getting ready to sell off books and magazine collections so I can move forward with less baggage. My first report in Birds and Blooms Magazine.

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-25732602926234866142011-02-17T18:27:00.000-08:002011-02-18T16:04:42.281-08:00

It was a gorgeous sunny day out today and I had just enough caffeine in me to set me into a whirl of activity.  Ok...I went a little nuts at the nursery buying seeds but hey, the front yard is getting an overhaul anyway and the way I look at it, if I have plants that need to be planted then at least there will be something besides weeds taking up space this year.  The thought makes me pretty

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-31870299586724346122011-02-13T19:31:00.000-08:002011-08-07T07:24:09.817-07:00

Now that all the registration is done, the hoops are all successfully cleared, what I face next seems a less obvious challenge. I've dreamed of having a business like this for nearly twenty years and I have notebooks and a head full of ideas.  To not do them all at once like I try to sow too many seeds all at once will be challenging.  To know which ideas are going to be the best is going to take

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-54065940431011077982011-01-22T12:22:00.000-08:002011-08-07T07:26:05.856-07:00

Being thrust into having to start a business is nerve wracking and can be an emotional roller-coaster.  One moment I find I'm fighting paralyzing fear because I don't know what will happen...the fear of failing, and suddenly I'm so over the moon about my future all I want to do is move forward at full steam!  It's a new and strange experience for me.  To focus on either of them is not good as

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-75507939122437804952011-01-19T14:09:00.000-08:002011-01-22T12:23:54.869-08:00

This is the number one biggest topic in gardening...How do I know its time...time to sow seeds, when is it time to harvest or time to prune the roses or the fruit trees, or cut back the perennials?  How do I know when its time?  I got a fresh reminder of this question when I went out to check my bird feeders and found the black oil sunflower seed sprouting after a week of unseasonably warm and

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-22435222495295788902011-01-12T14:43:00.000-08:002011-04-08T20:10:14.270-07:00

With the arrival of the seed catalogs comes the reminder that its time to sort through the seed stash.  If you are like me you have a lot of seed packets in that stash and over the years have spent endless hours going through them, dreaming, organizing, swapping and etc. As I was going through my box last week I was recounting all the mistakes I've made and realized there are a lot of you who may

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-25498585029620410552010-12-22T08:09:00.000-08:002011-12-05T11:03:12.474-08:00

THE SOUND OF SNOW   Softly it falls upon branchesSoftly it covers my roofFloating, dancing, falling,Striking ground, tree, blades of grassQuiet muffler of noisy streetsI listenI listenAs it dances down past the streetlights,The tall trees, past my footDancing downward,downward I listen for it’s sound to strike the chords of air Announcing it’s landing It’s resting on the branch Upon the blade,

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-80340846062430086102010-12-04T17:11:00.000-08:002011-08-07T07:39:21.284-07:00

It always amazes me to see the ideas people come up with in re-purposing junk for their homes and gardens.  It has really got me to looking at all the stuff around here with a different perspective which the gets me itchy to create things.  Most of the stuff that follows me home will eventually go to someone else some day but not this owl.  He was so brassy and gaudy when he was given to my

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-26651903831371125632010-12-02T17:54:00.000-08:002011-08-07T07:41:03.841-07:00

It is always wonderful when I find a new recipe and better still when after it is made I discover it is a "keeper". This pie definitely fits that category and is not only tasty but a new twist on an old favorite and a really pretty pie too. 2 cups of fresh cranberries  This time of year I am crazy for cranberries and I want to put them in everything.  They are one of those fleeting fresh

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-85714258649321691672010-12-02T17:36:00.000-08:002010-12-02T17:57:55.088-08:00

It has been a couple weeks since our final tomato harvest and the fruit I had set out in boxes is nearly all ripe.  Time to roast what is ripe for sauce, which in my mind is the only way to make sauce by the way.  It is so easy and honestly, there is just something magical that happens to the flavor of tomatoes when they are roasted.  This year it was Roma and San Marzano plum tomatoes that I

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-6045177354179213472010-11-30T18:24:00.000-08:002011-04-08T20:19:58.985-07:00

One of the more popular pastimes in my  household is talking to one's self...or as I call it, thinking out loud.  Technically it is just processing thoughts verbally.  Its a great way to think through things, but if someone is not in your head, hearing just one side of the conversation can get confusing.  My husband is the king of thinking out loud.  There have been times I've walked into the

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-22093611899050176482010-11-19T11:11:00.000-08:002011-08-07T07:42:49.178-07:00

It has arrived, the end of tomato season, of growing lush lettuces and cucumbers and other warm weather crops.  The summer here in Oregon was the coolest one on record and made even getting a ripe tomato a challenge.  Thankfully early fall was fairly warm and mild which brought some help though rain brought late blight to many before the tomatoes even ripened.  I'm sure this year will be the one

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-20570195201452358582010-11-11T07:46:00.000-08:002011-08-07T07:47:49.750-07:00

At my house growing up all of us kids knew Dad had been a Marine in WWII and his plane was shot down over the Philippines.  We saw the scars on his arm from the flaming fuel of the plane he and his fellow men crashed in.  He could never talk about it.  Too much pain in those memories.  They were too hard, too dark, too deep. The scars we could not see were far worse than those we could see and

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-68852995493804236302010-10-25T12:02:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:48:31.747-07:00

A few weeks back a national magazine posted a call on their facebook page for bloggers who might be interested in writing for their publication, asking that we post a link so they could check them out and see if anyone fit the bill...no pun intended.  What happened when I saw the call sort of defies definition except to say I just knew I was supposed post the link to my blog...that this was my

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-58224777870996466222010-10-08T11:03:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:50:13.377-07:00

Lettuce Sow Hope A few weeks ago a good friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Then a couple weeks ago another friend was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  Not everyone I know is suffering from cancer though as a third friend is awaiting a lung transplant after being put on the top tier of the transplant list.  It seems there is a lot of physical suffering going around.  However

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-42759127669277388412010-10-04T20:43:00.000-07:002010-10-05T05:19:43.752-07:00

Today is one of those drippy gray days that begs for a good book and something warm to sip on.  However today I found that the last of the quince fruit was calling my name begging to be processed.  Oh the sacrifices we make for food. Now I don't mind this sacrifice much except that I ended up with a really nice raw spot on my finger after I peeled back the skin off a blister I didn't realize I 

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-30485164754489901202010-09-25T18:32:00.000-07:002011-08-07T07:51:15.517-07:00

In our front yard is a tree that has become a tree of note in the neighborhood, not because it is beautiful but because of its fruit.  People are forever asking me "What kind of pear tree is that".  My reply, "It's not a pear its a quince" which usually brings about puzzled looks and more questions.  It is not the more common "Flowering Quince" we see blooming in early spring but Cydonia oblonga,

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-61409031721070890492010-09-24T09:55:00.000-07:002011-06-23T19:30:21.531-07:00

Yesterday I posted about Stink bugs and the concern I had about them being a non-native invasive species....well...my fears were confirmed.  Now the war begins.  You should see the list of host plants for this creature.  It's long and contains many common garden plants.  Here is the quoted email response I received and a few more pictures.  (big sigh) Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Nymph (no wings

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-41872545177624117112010-09-23T14:03:00.000-07:002011-08-07T08:13:58.782-07:00

Stink bug nymphs on Fig leaf. This year was the coolest summer on record here in Portland Oregon and throughout the Pacific NW.  You can hear people everywhere whining about green tomatoes and then the screech of their mental brakes as the switch gears to try and figure out how to use the green ones they now have a bounty of.  Me, my switch was to put up a big ol' tent over the top of my

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-18859576627359146792010-08-22T18:03:00.000-07:002010-09-01T14:31:49.960-07:00

This is a week of great anticipation as its time to get my fall peas sown.  I decided that I would pre-sprout the peas.  This time of year it really isn't necessary but it does serve a good purpose if one does pre-sprout the peas...it will show you the most vigorous plants when you see them begin to shoot out that first root.  Its not the leaves that sprout out first but the root.  (There has to

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-4715540178808455432010-08-19T06:53:00.000-07:002011-08-07T08:37:58.296-07:00

What is one to do when something important happens and it seems that everyone forgot to tell you?  That is my quandary this morning. Yesterday on Facebook I was checking updates on family members and found a note on my cousin's wall that by all appearances said my uncle had passed away.  It wasn't something he posted but a note by another person and then his reply that made this apparent.  This

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-80862440178479044212010-08-14T10:38:00.000-07:002010-09-01T07:55:35.723-07:00

I don't remember exactly when I started saving seeds.  It was probably back when I was taking horticulture classes and working in the garden at a local historic site about a dozen years ago or more.  I remember one year where I saved over 95 varieties of seed which even today blows my mind.  That is a lot of seed!  All I know is there is not a year goes by that I don't save the seeds from

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-20881586052414803912010-08-01T18:21:00.000-07:002011-08-07T08:40:16.301-07:00

Boxed gardens full of yummy beauty We have four large raised boxes my husband built in our back yard so we could grow vegetables beneath our fir trees.  The boxes became a necessity due to the constant battle between the trees and our veggie garden for water rights and nutrients.  If you want a lesson in futility just try to garden under fir trees.  No wait, don't. People don't realize how

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-29720130910067262092010-07-27T11:19:00.000-07:002010-09-01T14:36:20.980-07:00

This morning I was reading in Psalm 27 which ends like this, "I would have despaired unless I believed that I would see the goodness of God in the land of the living" and later the psalmist David goes on to encourage us to "wait for the Lord" but wait for what?  This waiting is not like waiting for a bus but rather it means to be at rest in the understanding that God is working and trusting in

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-3208508962648088822010-07-07T16:05:00.000-07:002010-09-01T14:37:30.310-07:00

How's your heart?  I love this question.  I've began to ask this of those I meet also but I think it is one of those questions we ask too infrequently of ourselves.  How's my heart? I was reminded of this as I read a post by a very dear brother who is walking through the suffering of Parkinson's disease.  His post reminded me it is very good to weigh the desires and motives of the heart

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-57267331172576233272010-06-02T14:53:00.000-07:002011-08-07T08:28:58.660-07:00

What do to, what to do?  The past 18 years I have given myself to learning about, practicing and teaching gardening and now it seems that God is taking me in a completely different direction. I'm sure to others it may even seem that I am throwing away something I should hold on to.  My answer to them is that they don't live in my life, hear what God has spoken to me, nor traveled all the paths

Mrs. Pattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1