Monday, July 19, 2010

Melons and Pole Beans

Oh, my Israeli melons are doing WONDERFULLY! I've spied two large ones in the garden so far. I must confess though, I'm afraid to poke around the melon patch too much. The leaves are so huge and I just know there must be a snake lurking nearby. If I were a snake, I'd want to hide among the melons too. Those leaves make a nice cool shade!

THANK YOU my wonderful mother for sharing all those beans with me. I used bamboo poles (growing wild in my yard) to use for bean poles. As you can see, the beans have sprouted and my frying pan is ready!

Gourmet popcorn that I had purchased from an Amish store in Missouri. Actually, I had purchased the kernels to pop, but decided to plant my own too! Er yes, I'm growing them together in a pot.


My melons taking over the garden.

Cherry tomatoes are doing well...

So this is my problem. It's this HUGE, HUGE tomato plant that is taking over my yard. I haven't googled it yet, but I'm thinking I'm going to have to PRUNE it by 50%! You can barely see my Bell Pepper to the left, nor my greenbeans to the right. It's a real hog and nusiance. Especially since it's blooming but not really producing.


Jumbo sized cucumbers. Nothing to brag about though. I only have two on the vine. The bugs are always hungry!

A sweet neighbor down the street gave me two peanut plants.

I'm especially pleased with my OKRA. I had revived my plants from the dead after they were overtaken by bugs. They were literally reduced to nubs. No leaves, no nothing. I kept watering hoping for a miracle. Persistence pays off!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Cloth Dinner Napkins

While visiting my mother in Missouri, I admired all her crafty creations. Beautifully crocheted table runners and rugs created from colorful old tee shirts, stacks of fabric coasters, quilted wall hangings, embroidered blouses, and even a crocheted "warmer" for her drinking glass. I especially liked her gorgeous stash of cloth napkins. I had to try this for myself.


I used a paper napkin for a pattern, selecting a wide assortment of cotton prints that would match my country kitchen.

No, I haven't gone "green"... but this is just one of many ways that I can cut back on unnecessary spending, not to mention, it gives our meals an elegant touch. Since I've introduced the cloth dinner napkin, we've been eating more frequently by candlelight!