Thursday, February 26, 2009

victory garden


victory garden
Originally uploaded by dremasimonds



Victory Gardens are all good; fun family activities, good exercise while digging, planting, weeding and harvesting, delicious and healthy food, and money saving.
That is alot of positives all rolled into one.
Here are some places to visit for more ideas.
http://www.eattheview.org wants the White House lawn to offer space for a Victory Garden
Eat the view is a catchy name.
Another source is http://www.kitchengardeners.com
Visit the site http://redwhiteandgrewblog.com and you will be ready to victory garden with the best of them.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Victory Garden at SF City Hall


Victory Garden at SF City Hall
Originally uploaded by mercedesfromtheeighties

Do you love the idea of transforming cement or lawn into Victory Gardens, full of vegetables and fruits that people can eat?


If you are like me, you support this idea fully.
Victory Gardens gained their name during World War II, when food was scarce, in the United Kingdom and the United States and other areas, so regular folks planted some veggies in every place they could squeeze them in.
San Francisco City Hall boasts a Victory Garden and there is a movement afoot to have a Victory Garden at the White House. What a great role model that would be. Tear up some lawn and put in veggies, President Obama, please.
Potatoes, carrots, lettuce, beans, peas, tomatoes.
People planted fruit and nut trees too.
Your own Victory Garden will give you healthy fresh food, and can save you money.
I wrote about two seed companies and their seeds for delicious veggies and lovely flowers (food for the soul) in my online column this month at http://positivelyfeminine.org if you want to get more ideas about Victory Gardens.
http://www.positivelyfeminine.org/Creative/garden/th/victory.htm
Lent in 2009 begins today, February 25, and I wish that each of you has a blessed and transformative Lenten season.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Valentine cookies


Valentine cookies
Originally uploaded by Aine D

Joyful and Blessed Valentine's Day to everyone.
These cookies look scrumptious, don't they?
Let's all think about the people we care about today, and let them know we care.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Ideas on Aging With Grace and Beauty


Robin McGraw wrote this book of tips on how to look our best, and be healthy, at age 55 and beyond.
She is the bouncy attractive gal you may have seen on the Dr. Phil show, since she is his wife and sometimes appears there. Robin McGraw does a reality check for her husband, from time to time, on his tv show, where she exhibits her warm and upbeat personality.
This book follows through with that happy and bubbly tone, and is full of suggestions on how to take care of yourself, emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually.
Robin had her wakeup call during a telephone chat with her mom, when her mom was 58. During the talk, her mom suffered a massive heart attack and died. What a shock. Her own mom always put family first, with little heed to her own health, and Robin realized that moms need to care for themselves so their adult children and potential grandchildren can enjoy their company.
She includes a chapter on fashion, and if you know me, you know this is not of central interest to me, since I go my unique way with my own style. But I was happily surprised to find ideas I will use here, including her tip that if you can buy only one clothing item to dress up your wardrobe, buy a blazer. Robin and I both prefer jeans, and she points out that a blazer lets you wear jeans pretty much anywhere.
I also found a beauty tip for hair care, on page 151, which I am going to try. I read with interest her chapter on makeup, since I do consider lipstick to be essential for restaurant dates with my husband.
She even recommends brands of makeup and shampoo, etc.
There are chapters on hormones, fitness, nutrition, faith and more, and Robin has created a great gift for any lady of “a certain age”, who aims to age gracefully.

http://www.amazon.com/Whats-Age-Got-Do-Healthiest/dp/1400202140/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234541868&sr=1-1

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

forsythia and other plants I can't grow


forsythia
Originally uploaded by drwhimsy

Grow forsythia



Actually, my forsythia bush is doing well, these past 10 years, but it produces no glorious golden flowers.
I think there is too much shade, or not enough cold temperature in the winter. I need to research this. It had blooms when I bought it. Do you have any suggestions on how to get my forsythia to bloom?
Other plants that I can't grow: lilacs won't give flowers, bleeding hearts and lily of the valley bloom once and quickly disappear.
These four plants and their flowers are all part of beautiful memories for me, from my mom's garden in Wisconsin.
But I could use help in getting them to give lovely traditional flowers here in California.
I did plant 10 Lily of the valley pips in January, in a pot, since I keep trying and hoping.