| November 20/03: |
|
Due to an urgent family matter we will unavailable to respond to any emails for aprox. one week. Feel free to send your emails but expect a wait of a few days before you receive a reply. Thank you |
| October Contest: |
|
Congratulations to George of Pennsylvania. - Last month's lucky winner of the Mystery Prize ( A Treehouse Planter and some cute Garden Lover Frogs ) from Mailorder Garden. George's Comments on Fall Gardening: "My fall flower of choice is the Goldenrod. Not only appealing to the eye in the 'schoolbus yellow' color they make for a handsome fall flower display inside or out with your other fall flowers grouped together. Lovely to look at and quite functional also. Teas used to made from the flowers to treat colds and flu. These versatile flowers were known to have healing powers. They were known to help anything from Kidney stone elimination to Water retention and were used as a natural gentle laxative. They vary in size between 10-25 mm. across & the flower head is narrow and elongated. *Cup of tea anyone?!? Tea at noon, come join me :)". |
| September 2003: |
|
Congratulations to Donna S of Garfield, N.J. - Last month's lucky winner of the Mystery Prize (A 1920's Majolica Style Flower Vase) from Mailorder Garden. Donna's Pumpkin Pie recipe: "makes 1 - 9" pie (from your own garden is the best kind)& cheese pumpkin also can be used)" Cut up and seed pumpkin (Peel after cooking) Place in deep pot-cover with water. Cook until fork tender (about 30 minutes) Drain and wait until most of water seeps out. When cool enough to handle - peel - drain again - mush it - Measure to see how many cupfuls of pumpkin you have. For each 2 cups of mushed pumpkin, Mix in 2 egg yolks (save whites), 1/2 cup white sugar, 1 tsp. cinnamon. Beat 2 egg whites with 1/4 cup of the sugar ( add gradually )until peaks form-blend this into pumpkin mixture. Add 1/4 tsp. of salt & 1 TBLS. milk.Fold into pumpkin mixture. Pour into unbaked pie crust 9" (homemade is best) Dot surface with 1/2 tsp. of butter. Bake in preheated oven 10 minutes @ 450' and then turn oven to 350' and bake 25-30 minutes more. Top with Whipped Cream. (of course I use homemade)". |
| August Contest: |
|
Congratulations to Fran of St. Charles - Last month's lucky winner of the Mystery Prize (Whimsical Vegetable Art Figurines ) from Mailorder Garden. Fran's favorite herb recipe: "LEMON THYME COOKIES" 2 3/4 cups flour 2 Tbsp dried lemon thyme leaves, crushed 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 3/4 tsp salt 1 cup shortening 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla Combine flour, lemon thyme (or lemon verbena) leaves, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, beat shortening, sugar, eggs and vanilla until well combined. Add half of the flour mixture. Beat until combined. Add remaining flour mixture, mixing until well combined. Chill dough. Roll onto floured surface. Cut out with cookie cutters. Bake 375F 8-10 min. |
| August Contest: |
|
Due to vacation time, there will be a short delay with posting the contest for August. The new contest should be available by August 4th. Thank you for your patience. |
| June Contest: |
|
Congratulations to Twiglet of IL - Last month's lucky winner of the Mystery Prize (A Whimsical Black & White Cat Planter Pot and Vase ) from Mailorder Garden.
Twiglet's latest Flower Garden experience: "This year I tried some Mesembrianthimum seeds. I had grown them when I lived in the UK and loved their little perky faces, so was interested to see what they thought of Illinois! They love it here and tolerate our blazing sunny days in their stride. It is nice to see I am not the only one to transplant well!!" Editor's Note: For more information on different varieties of Mesembryanthemum, check out this website |