mudpies's Blog

What in heck was I thinking???
Aug 27, 2012 | 12:30 PM PST
Tag: succulents

Several years ago, I bought C a couple of pear trees, one of which has never produced, thank goodness.  The second one, however, is trying to make up for its partner's lack of production.  Well, it can quit any time.  I'm sick of canning pears.  Half of the harvest table in my dining room is still covered with those that haven't ripened yet.  Gotta search the net for ideas on how to make use of them.  I'm way too thrifty to let them go to waste.  I'd be grateful for anything any of you can come up with.  I'm thinking a pear upside down cake might be tasty.

I've begun taking slips from my geraniums.  They were gorgeous this year, so old cheapie is preparing for next spring.  As well, I grew a planter of succulents for the first time.  They've flourished, so I'm attempting to propagate some for a friend.  I've never done that before, so only time will tell if I'm successful.

Happy gardening, all!!

Another gardening season's winding down
Aug 18, 2012 | 6:05 PM PST

Jeepers!!  It doesn't seem that long ago since I was planting.  We had a lousy season.  Even my dill didn't want to grow, what with the heat and lack of rain, not to mention the fact that I wasn't capable of weeding.  I have lots and lots of tomatoes, though, so I'll be doing a lot of canning in the next few weeks.  We haven't been able to grow cucumbers for several years now because of that nasty Colorado cucumber beetle.  One of my friends has lots, though, so I have a batch of nine day pickles on the go.  A lot of my gladiolus didn't even make the effort to produce leaves and those that did show no signs of blooming.  I hope the bulbs are viable. 

I'm worried that there won't be many veggies for display at our fall fair.  I generally enter every category, just to make sure visitors have lots to look at.  I may have some tomatoes, onions, potatoes, winter squash and gourds to enter, but I can't be certain.  The fair's still several weeks away - September 21st, 22nd and 23rd.  I'm too lazy to enter canned fruits and veggies.  Entries must be in pint jars.  When I can and pickle, I use quart jars or larger.  Sometimes I enter pies, but the apple crop has been very poor this year.  I don't know if I'll be able to get my favourite varieties for baking.  I may have some fancywork finished in time to enter, but I'm not as motivated as I ought to be.

Take care, all, and happy gardening,

Myrna

Mom's gone
Aug 5, 2012 | 5:36 PM PST

Hi, Everyone -

Just a very brief note to let you know that my mom passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon.  I'm sad for myself and for all the others who love her, but I wouldn't have wished for to linger any longer.  The last couple of years weren't great for her.

Take care, all, and remember to let those you love know that.

Myrna

We finally got rain
Aug 1, 2012 | 4:24 PM PST

On Thursday of last week, we got an all day soaker, thank goodness.  It has been such a strange summer.  Yesterday, Pearson International Airport in Mississauga was rained in for a couple of hours.  It's only about 40 miles from here and we didn't get any.  Anyhow, the farmers in this area are grateful that they'll likely be able to harvest their crops, an eventuality that was looking pretty remote before last Thursday.

My beans are coming in like crazy.  Made mustard bean pickle and posted the recipe in the Cooking and Entertaining forum.

Take care, all, and happy gardening.