Making Space

I have big plans for my backyard garden - and unfortunately I only have so much space!  That means I had to make some decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of in the area I want to put the beds in.  Unfortunately, the bamboo got kicked off the island...I liked it, but I'm sure there are some undesirable animals living in there (I am sure the rats from NIMH could be in there and no one would know) and it just took up a lot of space.  As you can see I wasn't great at keeping it trimmed up - mostly because I knew I wanted to get rid of it and only slightly because of laziness. Lol :)  So - that is what is happening today, the bamboo is coming out and will be waiting for its new home at my mom's house.  Now I just have to find time to replace the fence and put in some privacy trees...

Have a great day! 

Beth

Quick Update on My Front Flower Beds

This little guy is a rogue - I have no idea where it came from, but I am so happy to see signs that Spring is almost here.  To prepare, I have finally gotten my front beds cleared out and ready for new plants and bark.  I was pleasantly surprised by how much has already started to grow, so I thought I would share!

Hellebore

Peony

 

Rosemary

 

 

 

 

 

Flowering Almond Bush

Those are all the plants that I was happy I didn't kill for another year - LOL.  I'm still amazed every year that the Flowering Almond comes back - it looks so sad and bare, and then all of a sudden the little buds come out.  It is one of my favorites - so I decided to replace the roses with two more of the Flowering Almond Bushes.  I love roses - but the side of the house they are on does not get enough sunlight.  I think I will try again on the other side - it gets lots of light and hopefully will be easier to grow them there.

Here's a view of one side of the house - This side has the Flowering Almond Bush, the Rosemary (two survived from four plants) and the Peonies (there are about 6, but not all of them have come up yet - fingers crossed).  There are also a bunch of Daylilies, which all originated from 2 original ones my mom gave me, and a hand full of other plants that will come out later in the Spring.  It also has this big bush/small tree - which I have no idea what it is - but I spent some time trimming it since the branches were hanging almost to the ground.  It looks a lot better, but still needs some more trimming...

I had to stop when I noticed this in the branches - I'm not sure what kind of nest it is, but it looks like a birds nest.  However, considering that there are always bees on this side of the house (and I had one buzzing around me the whole time I was weeding) I didn't want to take a chance.  I figured I would wait until Eric was home so he could take me to the hospital if I made them angry :)

 

The front bed has Shasta Daisies, Lupines, and some Carnations that have already started growing.  There are also some Peonies just coming up - with Dahlias and Gladioli coming up soon!!

I have three Lilacs growing and they are all budding!  This year I have to start cutting 1/3 of the plant back, and I am super nervous about it!!

 

I already have more Peonies, Gladioli, and Dahlias to add this weekend - as well as some Astilbe plants for under the tree/bush.

 I also wanted to share a picture of the single Daffodil that grows under the Weeping Japanese Maple - it just looks so sweet!!  I might have to add some more this Fall!!

 Have a great day!

Beth

Cheeseburger Soup

So this is my version of Cheeseburger soup. I see a lot of recipes with a bunch veggies in the soup and it is a good way to get veggies into your family. I was set out to make a soup that tasted like a cheeseburger!

Since I was trying it for the first time I wrote down notes of what I would change! I added tomatoes in the beginning and I think I would throw them in at the end. I would try different cheese like blue cheese along with something that melts well. I would add mushrooms and caramelized onions.

I really wanted a beefy soup that wasn't as heavy as a stew. So this is what I came up with!

Recipe

1 tablespoon of oil
4 slices of bacon
1 celery stick diced
1 tomato diced
1 lbs ground beef
3 cups chicken broth
3 large russet potatoes diced
1/4 butter
1/4 flour
1 cup milk
2 cups shredded cheese (I did half Gruyere and half Mexican blend)
Salt
Pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon dry minced onion (didn't have fresh)


In a large pot heat oil at medium heat. Add celery bacon and tomatoes (like I said above I would add these at the end) season with salt and pepper, cook for about 6 minutes. Add ground beef, season with salt, pepper, garlic and onion. Add broth and potatoes, bring to a boil, cover,  then bring down to a simmer on low heat for 20 minutes. Meanwhile in a small pot heat butter on low, when melted add flour. Whisk for a minute and slowly add milk. When it has thickend remove from heat. Add milk mixture or rue to the soup. Turn off heat and slowly mix in cheese. Serve and enjoy!

Sorry I don't have a picture right now I was planning on posting this later. I will have one up tonight!

It's raining today so this soup would be perfect!

Cheddar Cheese Ranch Spread

I found this on Pinterest. I went to pin it and come to find out I already pinned it, I like it when that happens for some reason. It's like I'm some how validating my first pin.

I really like dips, I like to have something I can grab that has lots of flavor. My son has been on the smaller side so dips like this are also good for him.

Since we got sick the last couple of week he lost a little weight. Luckily he has his appetite back and so he has been eating more. He loves cream cheese so this is a dip that is perfect for him. I can put on so many things for him.

Recipe

1 8oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 heaping Tablespoon of ranch dry mix
1 cup finely shredded cheese blen, I used Mexican 4 cheese

In a large bowl mix all of the ingredients well and refrigerate for a couple of hours and serve with veggies, crackers or pita bread triangles.

The more it sits the more the flavors develop.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as we did!

The Best BBQ Sauce

I have been waiting for the right time to bring out my BBQ - and I just couldn't wait any longer!!  I was so excited that I forgot to make sure I had everything I need - like BBQ sauce that wasn't expired!  So I decided to make my own.  I was hesitant at first, but I'm so glad I did since it was awesome!  Sweet, smoky, spicy (well, for me but not anyone else) - but not too much of any one of those - which to me makes it perfect!

The Best BBQ Sauce:
Print Recipe

1 15oz can tomato sauce
1 tsp soy sauce
1/4-1 tsp liquid smoke (to taste - I just poured a little in but I think it was about 1/2 tsp)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 Tbsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp onion powder
4 Tbsp brown sugar
3 Tbsp honey
3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

Combine the ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil.  Turn down the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes.

It was so easy, and I think it will work really well on just about any type of meat!!  I adapted the recipe from here. 

Since I think it looks so yummy right on the grill - here is an extra picture!  I love how crispy the outside gets on a BBQ.  We had this for lunch and then I ate the rest cold all day...I will definitely have to make extra next time! 

 Now I just have to figure out the best way to clean my grill LOL

Have a great day!
Beth