As my arm has been hurting for these last few weeks, I suppose it’s been apparent that I haven’t been outside to harvest much of my beautiful vegetable garden.

In turn, each of my closest neighbors has been coming over to the fence when they see me to give me oodles of their veggie garden goodies.

My newest neighbors brought me a whole slew of fresh cucumbers, as they have much too many to eat themselves. They are so crisp, refreshing and wonderful – especially just with a little salt and pepper on them, or with a little splash of balsamic vinegar!

Steve and his family, behind me, has loaded me up with fresh Swiss chard. Apparently, his kids turned out not to like it and he’s the only one that does. So, he shared with me and it is absolutely fantastic.

My youngest daughter planted some last year and it grew wonderfully. Not sure why we didn’t think of it this year.

He also brought me a bunch of tiny beets – so delicious – and all of their beet leaves, because he knows I enjoy to stuff them or to eat them like spinach!  Oh yes, and some tomatoes too!

Wow – I am so blessed to have some really great neighbors and to live in a place where we share – in a place where we can grow such beautiful produce as well – fresh and organic!

Have a great day!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Gardening post on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

P.S. Plan your garden, so you don’t miss out on veggies you love, don’t plant too much or overestimate what you can plant:

Garden Planning Kit: Vegetable Garden Planner Garden Planning Kit: Vegetable Garden Planner

Technorati Tags: vegetable gardening, gardening, vegetables, vegetable garden, garden, neighbors, good neighbors, Swiss chard, cucumbers, tomatoes, beets, beet leaves

I ordered a brand new canopy to be made for my outdoor patio gazebo, as the last one was ripped to shreds from a wind storm in the late Spring.

The gazebo-like frame is still intact and beautiful, so I wanted to get a new canopy, so I could enjoy the summer weather without the beating sun…

So, I had a number of people come out to look and I got a serious variety of estimates for how much something of this magnitude would cost, as I couldn’t find a suitable replacement in the stores.

Then, one couple came along that makes tarps and coverings for boats.

They ensured me it would be easy to put on the frame and take off the frame, and would be much more sturdy and durable than any other canopy I could have made.

So, I agreed – Well, it took at least 1 month for them to fulfill the order, but they installed it today and I’m just thrilled!

I’m glad I had them make it, even though it’s nearing the end of summer now. It will be ready for next year’s fun in the sun and will nicely protect my patio furniture from the weather and the over-flying birds.

I’m so sick and tired of bringing in the furniture cushions every time it rains.

Just put the chandelier back up inside the top and replaced the screened curtains and we’re ready to go…

So, all in all, I’m very pleased with the outcome and excited about spending more time outside enjoying the sunshine with the dogs admiring my gardens.

***

I hope you enjoyed this Gardening post on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Enjoy That Sunshine,

Ingrid

P.S. I can’t seem to find you a perfect example of what it is I’m talking about, but this is very similar to mine – I love it:

12X12 Alu Gazebo 12′ x 12′ Aluminum Gazebo With Steel Top Powder Coated Frame Polyester Cover Set Of 4 Nets Without Sidewall Sun Panel. This item may require an additional freight surcharge. You will be contacted if that is the case.

Technorati Tags: gazebo, canopy, patio canopy, patio furniture, outdoor chandelier, outdoor furniture, outdoor fun, sunshine, summer

What a beautiful day in Niagara!

It’s 27 degrees C in my back yard.

The doggies are loving it too…Running around, chasing each other and smelling the air!

I made some homemade lemonade this morning and I’m enjoying it on the patio.

As for gardening, I’m going to pick up a few branches and pretend I’m working…lol

This is close to my favorite time of year – not too hot, not too cold, bright and sunshiny…

Life is good! Praise the Lord!!!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Life post on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Take Some Time Out to Taste the Lemonade,

Ingrid

P.S. These containers are really handy for when you want to make a large quantity of iced tea or lemonade. I can even fit it in my refrigerator – Perfect:

Global Amici 9.5 x 9.5 x 18-in Lemonade Jar with Spigot, Recycled Green Fill this quaint, old fashioned lemonade jar with sweetened iced tea or a sprightly lemonade or limeade and you’ll have a refreshing beverage for your summertime backyard parties. The lemonade jar features recycled green glass, is hexagonal in shape and comes with a black plastic spigot for dispensing your drink. A matching lid is also included. Looks great perched on your checkered tablecloth, and holds a little over three gallons so there’s plenty for thirsty guests, parched from the summer sun! Black stand sold separately.

Technorati Tags: Spring, lemonade, gardening, dogs, life, Niagara Falls, Ingrid

What a gorgeous day today!

It’s time to start a little gardening…

…Preparing the soil and organizing in my head what I want to plant where.

I’ve already got some tomatoes, peppers and herbs started indoors that I enjoyed over winter.

It’s time for my oleanders to go back outside, as well as my lemon-lime tree. They’ll be happy for direct sunlight!

I bring them in every winter, so they won’t die in our harsh, Canadian winter.

I’m making some homemade chicken soup today, and that’s just what the doc ordered with fresh baked bread.

I love to bake my own bread…Not only does it taste better, it smells heavenly, it’s a bit of good old fashioned exercise while kneading it, and you can control what your putting into it.

There’s no telling what they put in that store bought stuff!

Lunch anyone?

***

I hope you enjoyed this Gardening post on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Have a Great Day,

Ingrid

P.S. You don’t have a garden? No problem! Enjoy tomatoes you grow in your own home without soil:

The Tomato-Maker Kit For 3 Plants Featuring Millennium Soil – unique system for growing tomatoes FASTER and WITHOUT SOIL! Your Tomato-Maker Kit includes the following items: Three (3) Tomato-Maker Hanging Pouches Millennium Soil Crystals for Three (3) pouches Three (3) Planter Pouches Three (3) Packages of Fertilizer Beads Three (3) Packages of Soluble Calcium Tomato Seeds Three (3) Peat Pellets For Seed Germination Twist Ties. The Tomato-Maker is designed to take the backbreaking work out of gardening. Since it is designed to hang almost anywhere, (on a fence, balcony or even a tree limb!) it saves space, and you don’t even need a backyard to enjoy backyard gardening!

Technorati Tags: gardening, Spring, tomato plants, lime tree, oleander, chicken soup, life, Ingrid Turner

The gardens included a rose garden with approximately 20 rose bushes in it, an iris garden which is breathtaking in the spring, various lovely perennials in the summer – too many to mention, an area full of holly bushes, specialty gardens with Korean spice trees, lilac trees, wisterias, smoke bushes, and of course my ever present bi-annuals complimented with numerous varieties of annuals situated throughout the property, in addition to many types of evergreen trees, evergreen bushes, pink chains, maples and oaks.

As well, I tend to purchase more than necessary, potted and hanging plants which look so wonderful when I buy them and add so much to the look of my property.

To the point, when it comes to late summer, many of our plants tend to look somewhat bedraggled. This is the time when I enjoy reviving them to their original beauty.

Every hanging plant needs to be trimmed and dead headed (removing all the remains of dead flowers and leaves). Using a fork, I poke it into the soil around the plants and twist gently, loosening the soil until it is nice and fluffy.

If the roots are coming up above the soil, I add a good quality potting soil – just enough to cover the roots (any more and you will suffocate the plant and tend to have the stems rot out when you water).

Then, I give each plant a good watering, allowing the water to soak in, but not so much as to have it running out the bottom.

Now is the time for you to apply a good flower fertilizer. Personally, I use Miracle Grow, but there are many other good products on the market.

From this point forward, I make a point of fertilizing at least once every 10 to 15 days and watering faithfully.

I submerge into the soil, copper pennies – 4 for each 10 inch pot – fewer for smaller pots and more for larger ones. The copper gives you larger and more vibrant blooms (don’t ask me why, but that’s what my mother did and it worked for her, as it does for me).

Even the most neglected plants respond favourably to this treatment.

If you are fertilizing petunias, be sure not to get the liquid fertilizer on the leaves or blooms as they will turn brown, but it is okay to put it directly on to the soil and they certainly benefit from this treat.

I make sure to fertilize all of my plants, including flowers, bushes and trees. I use a special fertilizer which is readily available and marked “vine fertilizer”, for my clematis, wisteria, honeysuckle, trumpet vines, etc.

A remarkable change and improvement is noticeable very quickly and you will be able to enjoy a well groomed garden and your potted plants to the fullest.

I hope you have enjoyed this Gardening post and come back to see me tomorrow, perhaps I will be in my garden.

Ingrid

P.S. Get 1001 Tips for your Garden for only $1.00:

1001 Hints & Tips for Your Garden : An Indispensable Guide to Easier and More Effective Gardening Whether you want to plant a tree, choose a climber, grow fragrant flowers, or learn how to apply the various types of fertilizer, this comprehensive A-to-Z book will help you get the job done. And because topics are cross-referenced, you will find it easy to use. Inside are samplers of varieties of the best-loved plants – flowers, vegetables, trees, and shrubs – and a list of tulips that will take turns blooming all spring long. And for lovers of lilies, there is a guide for three months of blossoms. A month-by-month calendar provides a handy checklist for taking care of trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables, lawns, and container plants. Also included are tips on how to attract butterflies and ladybugs to your garden, easy ways to compost, and a list of good patio plants. 1001 Hints & Tips for Your Garden offers secrets for siting plants and strategies for coping with weeds, wind, drought, and frost. Here, too, are plants which are best for creating privacy and baffling noise. An illustrated 20-page section on common pests and diseases shows how to diagnose and deal with problems in the garden. And tips on hedges, fences, trellises, and fountains help the gardener achieve a finished look in the garden. Twelve special features cover such topics as heirloom vegetables and roses, wildflower meadows and period gardens. Only $1.00

Technorati Tags: gardening, gardens, late summer gardening, fertilizing, gardening tips, gardening tricks

Firstly, let’s get acquainted.

I am a widow whose husband and sister succumbed to cancer over the past few years.

I live in my own home which keeps me quite occupied. Here I live with my sweet little dogs Precious (a miniature schnauzer) and Sugar (a rescued westie and poodle cross breed).

Since I am also a cancer survivor, my children check up on me very often. My family loves me, I know, but they also think I need looking after, and even though I don’t always feel that I really need their concerns, I am honored and blessed to have them.

Sometimes, my daughter Kimberly and her husband from Texas stay for visits with their beautiful and lovable dogs Kaptain, Kurious and Knosey (all miniature schnauzers).

My other daughter Lisa lives about 14 minutes away with her husband and my two wonderful grandddaughters.

My stepdaughter Tanya lives a couple of hours away with my 3 lovely step-granddaughters.

How wonderful it is to know how very much they all love me. God has been so very good to me!

Well, my children tell me that I have many things to share with the world. Can you believe it – as adults, they all actually believe that I have knowledge and that I’m smart!! Since that’s the case, I guess I have a duty to share!!!

* For instance, last week while I was wearing a new white top, I happened to stray into my garden (just to pull a few weeds and see how things were going with my flowers). You know I can’t go outdoors without getting involved in weeding and dead heading.

The beautiful tiger and stargazer lilies are in full bloom and they were fairly bursting with the most intoxicating perfume and pollen, which firmly and quickly attached itself to the front and side of my perfect, white top. You know, the one white top that you feel you can wear anywhere, anytime. I could have cried!

How did I clean it? Firstly, making sure to be out of the view of my neighbours, I took off the top, very carefully, making sure not to press the pollen into the fibers. Then, I shook of as much pollen as I could.

I turned the top inside out and ran the affected area under the hottest water tap so the pollen stain could flow away from the fabric. Then, I poured a good portion of 90% alcohol (a weaker strength won’t work), over the stain (from the wrong side of the fabric), and just let it sit in the alcohol for about 5 minutes.

Then, I used my laundry detergent on the stain, without rubbing too hard, and voila, my top was as clean as new and it is still uniformly, beautifully white and wearable.

So, if you happen to stroll through your lily field where the pollen is ready to attack and stain your clothing, don’t despair, just use my suggestion and enjoy wearing your summer whites.

Time for my dogs to get a little treat now! Till tomorrow, I am…

Ingrid

P.S. Looking for Ways to Remove Stains from just about anything? Check out this great book:

The Super Stain Remover Book Find out how to remove stains of all sorts from just about anything. $4.64

Technorati Tags: stains, family, life, pollen, tiger lilies, stargazer, flowers, gardening, dogs, how to get pollen stains out