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Seed Swap a Sweet Reminder

1/30/2016

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The ground is frozen and snow covered here in Maine and today is Seed Swap Day. It’s a reminder that the lush green landscape will return, the flowers will blossom and once again we can till the earth.

These flowers are from the summer garden, imagine.

This is a Calendar of Days post.

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Houseplant Day: long-lasting and easy-care succulents

1/10/2016

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Houseplants the easy way: succulents!

Julie Hews is as lovely as the plants in her flower shop, Ampersand Elements. The shop was an oasis on the gray winter morning when I visited to ask a few questions about succulents and why they might just be the best houseplant ever.

Terrariums and Dish Gardens
It was during an earlier visit to Ampersand Elements that Julie’s terrariums caught my eye. Tucked into clear glass containers along with ceramic figurines, moss, stone, and other naturals materials, the terrariums create an intriguing diorama; a miniature world of greenery flooded with light. Though I was drawn to the terrariums, Julie said the succulents do just as well in dish gardens.
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With over-sized snowflakes falling outside the shop’s large front window, it was fitting that it seemed as though we, too, were tucked inside an imaginary world of a snow globe. And it made me wonder if we can grow succulents in Maine.

At least two varieties, “hens and chicks survive the winter and grow in gardens all over Maine,” Julie said. They can winter outside or be brought indoors for the season. Others of course are designated houseplants.

“I think the fact that here we are in Maine enjoying plants that are so different and unique, with varieties from Arizona, Mexico, California, and South America, is incredible,” she said.

Because they come from such far away places, succulents can be a bit pricey. But, they can last for a very long time, decades in fact. “My grandmother had a plant in a dish that was at least 40 years old,” Julie said.

Easy Care
Succulents may take less care than other houseplants, but they “probably take more care than people think,” Julie said. And it all starts with how they are planted. Starting from the bottom up, a foundation of four layers of materials gives your plants the drainage and support they need. Illustrated on a large panel set on a side table inside the shop, the four layers include: perlite, charcoal, sand, and dirt.

Trending
Terrariums have been trending for some time, appealing to young and old alike. Just recently, a grandmother and her granddaughter visited Ampersand Elements to select plants, containers, and embellishments from bins of seashells, stones, and moss to create a miniature world of their very own making.

Whether you go with a terrarium, a dish garden, or any other houseplant variety, you’re likely to improve your environment. Houseplants not only look good, they purify the air and lift the mood. Two good reasons to bring a bit life indoors.

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Ampersand Elements offers workshops for a variety of terrarium styles and plantings, and Julie designs beautiful floral arrangements for weddings and events. Visit her shop or visit on-line at Ampersand Elements.
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Beet Greens at Farmers Market

6/11/2015

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Fresh, unblemished greens with just the tiniest beets. Oh, they are so good. Steamed and dressed with olive oil and salt and pepper. That's how we like them. I've seen recipes that call for a drizzle of vinegar and some that add a bit of salt pork to the pan for added flavor. How do you like your beets?

Visit your local market and try something fresh, something you're unfamiliar with, something locally grown. It's the healthiest, most delicious way to eat. And it is, afterall, country cooking month!
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Spring Forward: Buy Yourself Some Flowers

3/12/2015

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Next time you buy flowers for someone, try this:
Go to a second-hand shop and buy an inexpensive container for the flowers . . . the flowers stay fresh and whoever you give them to has nothing to do but put them on display—and they can keep the container!

We were invited to a dinner party this past weekend. When I asked what we could bring, we were told to bring only what what we would like to drink. So we brought a bottle of wine . . . and a bunch of daffodils
(we knew our friends were planning a special meal and wanted to bring something more but didn't want to disregard their request, so we decided to keep it simple with some flowers).

When I bought the daffodils, they had unopened blossoms, were on display in small bundles held together by elastic bands. They sat piled high on the counter top, not in any vase, not in any water. Imported from Ireland, they came with instructions to simply trim 1/2" and place in water.

I decided to buy some for our hostess and some for me.


When I got the flowers home, I followed the directions—and though I was doubtful, they blossomed!

Spring is coming, but forcing daffodils from Ireland brings it a little closer, a little sooner.


And buying yourself (and someone else) flowers is always a good thing.

Do you make it a habit to buy yourself flowers? Tell us about it. Why do you do it and how does it make you feel?
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Hobbies: The Power of Doing

12/2/2014

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Finding the Light
It was the night before Thanksgiving, 11:15 pm, and I was ready to go to bed. It was a full day of holiday baking, cooking, and cleaning. We were planning dinner for seven the next day and things were in good order.

Until the lights went out.

I knew it was possible, the forecast called for heavy snow (and power outages) starting at about noon, and the pop of a large pine branch giving way at about 4:00 pm put us on guard.

With the power out, and not knowing when it would be restored, we couldn't guarantee family coming from out of state that we could cook a meal let alone keep them warm.

We had to cancel.

It was so disappointing. But as it is so often the day after a storm, it was bright, sunny, and still outside. And we had nearly a foot of snow on the ground. Snow that was heavy, wet, and good for snowballs.

Good snowball snow is the beginning of a great snowman, and I knew just what to do. Gathering my supplies, I headed out to build a snowman, a new winter beauty. (See the Shop for more.)

Oh, by the time I was done I felt so much better. The power of doing turned what started as a cold, bleak day into a day of gratitude and light.

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P.S. Fortunately, our guests had purchased a turkey earlier in the week and cobbled together a fine meal at home.

Our power was restored 24 hours after it went out. We turned the heat up and put the turkey in the oven!

So much to be thankful for.


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In A Pickle

8/21/2014

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It Was a Cucumber Conundrum
Though I like to cook and especially like to bake, canning or "putting up" vegetables is something I've stayed away from. But this year, our backyard neighbors have provided us, my husband says, "a conveyor belt of cucumbers," and we just can't eat (or give away) enough of them.

What to do? Refrigerator pickles. It takes fewer steps and is easier all the way around. While true canning preserves your harvest for months, these will give you just one month in the refrigerator. But that's enough because repurposed, cukes are making a comeback—as bread and butter pickles.
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Farmers' Market Is Back

6/10/2014

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Listed in the Top 10 I Farmers' Market, Portland, ME — Wednesdays in Monument Square, Saturdays at the Oaks.

Today there were plenty of farm-fresh eggs, Swiss chard, radishes, parsnips, lots of mixed greens, seedlings, hanging baskets, and flowers (beautiful poppies in bright yellow and orange). And it's the best place for people watching.

Note: The Saturday market in Deering Oaks park was voted one of the top 10 in the country by Travel+Leisure. It really is a pretty spot for the market.
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