OK, I know that anyone who has made sourdough will argue with me that there is no "easy" sourdough. But trust me here for a minute, and let me demystify some things begginers struggle with. Sourdough can be easy, it just takes time. Picture of two starters. I usually have two going because I make … Continue reading Easy Sourdough bread
Protecting The ‘Naners
So, I ordered some fruit bags, from Amazon, for my bananas. They are lined on one side with cotton to trap the ethelene gas (ethelene gas helps make fruit ripen quickly.) The cotton also helps with humidity and shades the fruit from the sun. They have holes in them, so the fruit can breathe. They … Continue reading Protecting The ‘Naners
Ba-Ba-Ba Bananas!
I was out watering today and found these! YES! God bless short cycle bananas! The Kokopo is the 6' one on the left of the giant bananas. I love my bananas. Even the ones I haven't gotten fruit from. So pretty! Finally! After years of growing and tending these monsters I got some fruit! This … Continue reading Ba-Ba-Ba Bananas!
Spiderwebs
My whole yard is spiderwebs! This is 6 panels of beef netting. It's a lot of work to cut all the holes and make it look right. This year I backed off of our usual display. My son and I have been having medical issues since August. A few days ago, my husband tried to … Continue reading Spiderwebs
Haunted Heads
I had two main projects I wanted to accomplish this Halloween. One project was my Silver Faceless Aliens and the second was some posts with masks, or: Haunted Heads! I decided to do these after I saw a pin. But unfortunately, no matter which pin I opened I couldn't find the instructions to make these. … Continue reading Haunted Heads
Silver Faceless Aliens
Happy Halloween! This year: Silver Faceless Aliens! They are human height and shape and creep everyone out! I instantly had the idea after looking at this mask. So much fun! Like all of my projects: it's super cheap and has a big impact. I'm making four. Here are the supplies you'll need: 59 inch silver … Continue reading Silver Faceless Aliens
Cousin It… Oh Yeah!
I saw this and I had to make one! All of my Halloween decorations are cheap, but some require a little planning. If you want to make this you will need to find the pieces and order them so that this is done before Halloween! Get my new e-book on Amazon! It’s free with Kindle … Continue reading Cousin It… Oh Yeah!
How To Make A Bagged Dead Body For Halloween
I made my original dead body bag about 4 or 5 years ago and I've learned some things about how to make these after having to repair it a few times. Get my new e-book on Amazon! It’s free with Kindle Unlimited or $3.99 to purchase. There are projects in this e-book that you won’t … Continue reading How To Make A Bagged Dead Body For Halloween
Trash Bag Witch Circle/Ghost ring
I love making Halloween decorations, but I think they should be nearly free. Most of the things in our yard are homemade (with the exception of a couple of blow up displays and some skeletons.) I need my display to make a big impact (because we are trying to get people to walk down a … Continue reading Trash Bag Witch Circle/Ghost ring
Milk Jug Spider
Here we go! It's Halloween time on my blog again! I hope you enjoy the tutorials! I love making Halloween decorations! I also love to make CHEAP decorations. I don't think I can find a good reason to buy a lot of what I see in the stores. I am pretty happy with a lot … Continue reading Milk Jug Spider
Winter Squash, Texas Style
I grew a few bush, and vine habit, winter squash this year. I only grow squash that are squash vine borer, resistant. There are two squash borer invasions per season here in my part of Texas. I only got one green one this year. If I like it significantly more than the yellow ones I … Continue reading Winter Squash, Texas Style
Yes Or No: Pomegranates?
This is awful for trying to juice pomegranates. In fact I think it would be awful for citrus, which is what it is made for. This does not compress enough to be worthwhile. I used my fingers to juice what was left and it shot out from under my grip and spilled what little the … Continue reading Yes Or No: Pomegranates?
Quick/Refrigerator Pickles
One of my family's favorite summer foods are often called either "quick" or "refrigerator" pickles. These make the crunchiest pickles because they aren't cooked. I grow Armenian cucumbers, which are actually melons. They taste like cucumbers and they don't get bitter in our high heat like actual cucumbers do. So, I always have fresh additions … Continue reading Quick/Refrigerator Pickles
Great Links About Fungi
We went on a tour of different universities. My boys had to deal with me excitedly saying, "Mushrooms!" as I ran across the street to take pictures. Yes. I am that embarrassing as a parent. But, they had a lot of patience for their goofy mom. I can't go places and not notice things in … Continue reading Great Links About Fungi
Dragon Fruit: Texas Style!
OMG! I am so glad I stuck with the annoying, ridiculously hard to train (to move indoors for winter), tropical vining cactus: the dragon fruit! I have only seen one other flower that rivals a dragon fruit flower. It was also a type of night blooming cereus. My mother had it as a house plant … Continue reading Dragon Fruit: Texas Style!
College Shopping: South Texas
We went to three universities over four days. University of Texas at Austin was first (we were there specifically to look at the Cockrell Engineering School, which is number 5 in the nation.) If you are considering some South Texas Colleges and are looking for a university to go with a kid who has passions … Continue reading College Shopping: South Texas
Crazy Happenings In The Garden
So. Yes. I am having a new experience in my garden. As my grandmothers were, I'm also usually always home. I visit my family but mostly around Christmas time when my garden is asleep. This year I'm finding out what happens when you aren't home to stop disasters! There were bees and hornets all over … Continue reading Crazy Happenings In The Garden
Crazy Great Links
We're going to go down a goofy road today. Do you know Monty Python? I used to hand tune my TV to PBS where they would show things like Doctor Who and Fawlty Towers. I loved British humor! Everyone should see: Monty Python And The Holy Grail. One of the funniest, goofball movies ever. It's … Continue reading Crazy Great Links
Personal Thoughts: A Christian’s View Of Another Religion
My best friend grew up in India. She's invited me to go to India several times over the last 23 or so years, and I still haven't done it. However, I have visited several temples with her in Colorado (Denver: plan on attending Sunday evening for the feast they serve. Castle Rock: this is a … Continue reading Personal Thoughts: A Christian’s View Of Another Religion
Recovering A Gravel Area From Weeds
So. Yeah. Bad issue for me this year. I usually spray round up outside, in the play yard area. I have to hit it about three times a season. Last year I had issues with my sprayers and I only got the area sprayed once. Now, with my late start this spring (because of illness) … Continue reading Recovering A Gravel Area From Weeds