Help Fight Hunger, Give Extra Produce to Your Local Food Bank

http://www.ampleharvest.org/

One out of six Americans needs food assistance, but can't get fresh produce from the local food pantry.  ONE OUT OF SIX.  There is no excuse with the abundance of wealth in American that anyone should go hungry. I know first hand how slow the wheels of assistance turn in the government. If you have ever had to deal with trying to get assistance for someone, unemployment, food stamps, etc., I am sorry to say, it is a broken system.  I hope everyone out there will take it upon themselves to help a neighbor in need, and not rely on our government to help. This should be evident in the current oil spill, and past devastating hurricanes. Political ideation takes precedence over the well being of the people out there who are hurting. I usually do not get political or religious on my blog, but enough is enough. It is time for those of us who have to help those who do not have.  You may not be able to donate money, but you can donate your excess produce. If you are reading my blog, I am assuming you are a gardener. I already have an enamel bowl sitting on my counter full of squash, that if I don't do anything with it soon, will be thrown out for the chickens. This should not happen.  Join http://www.ampleharvest.org/ in feeding your neighbor.  Print off the flyer at the following link, and ask if you can place at your local markets, garden stores etc.  Find out where your local pantry is and ask if they have registered with AmpleHarvest. Take your extra produce in this summer.

www.ampleharvest.org/downloads/GardenShop.pdf

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day to all the great Dads out there!

My Husband Glenn

My Son Chad: Mackenzie and Kendall

My Son Josh: His two pugs Roman and Rocko

And my Dad, who I miss.  I am sure he is looking down thinking I need to weed that garden instead of typing on the computer.

My Creative Space

I am admitting here for everyone that I am scattered, and often unfocused.  My family and friends won't find this a big secret at all I would like to think that we "creative" people are like that, but I think I just do not like to do the stuff that is not much fun.  Thinking up new ideas, reading other people's blogs, cutting out things I want to make or do out of magazines, now that is fun. Straightening up my office, yuck!  But agreeing to participate in this blog party "Where Bloggers Create", put me in high gear.  I couldn't let anyone see the piles in my floor, scattered labels, and several coffee cups on my desk, so today was spent cleaning my office. I should have done this a long time ago, it is so much more conducive to creating. So here are my pictures. Of course, it is garden themed.  I have collected many things over the years, and have sold a few and kept a few.  The vision board is something everyone needs. You see mine includes both business and personal goals, what I want my business to be, the magazines I want to be featured in (of course Where Women Create is one of my goal magazines), the shed I want my husband to build to house my business, the places I want to go, and of course......the weight I want to loose.

Hope you enjoy.  And don't forget to go to MyDesertCottage  blog to view the others (list is on right of blog)

Share Your Creative Space at Where Bloggers Create

The 2nd Annual Blog Party to Share Your Creative Spaces!  Check out my blog June 19th to see where all my Gardenchick products (as well as myother artistic endeavors occur).  I will be posting along with over 400 bloggers, my "creative space".   Head over to http://www.mydesertcottage.blogspot.com/ on June 19th to peruse all the great blogs of talented women showing their special place to create. Bet you couldn't guess, but my space is a garden themed room!

Beautiful Indoor Gardens

Every summer I put my indoor plants out on my deck, and except for watering and a little fertilizer, I pretty much forget about them.  Amy at Growing Plants Indoors sent me information on these awesome indoor gardens.  As I was scrolling thru them I noticed the one in Nashville at Opryland Hotels. I have seen this before and it is beautiful.  The city of Nashville experienced the worst flood in their history a few months ago, and the hotel closed, laying off hundreds of people.  I wonder if this beautiful garden survived?

My plan was to plant a cutting garden this year,  but like most plans they were bigger than the time I had to put into it after the huge vegetable garden, a new fence, a redo of my perennial garden, etc., etc.,....
I love flowers indoors and to receive flowers for no reason.  A fresh bouquet on the bedside table, or on the kitchen table can bring an indoor garden in without all the fuss.  If you need a pick me up, order flowers today.....for no reason
Karen

St. Johns Wort

Last fall,  I planted St. John's Wort ( hypericum perforatum) in my Apothocary Garden.  It has grown to about 2 feet  and full of yellow blooms.  The plant is named for John The Bapist. The word "wort" translates to plant, therefore, St. Johns Wort.
It has been used in herbal medicine for at least 2400 years.

Most people know St. John's Wort for it's use in mild depression and anxiety, but I have grown it for the flowers which I infuse in olive oil. The yellow flowers often turn the oil a deep red color.  This red color comes from the pigment, hypercin, which is found along the margins of the petals. The oil has an anti-inflammatory property, and can be used as a message oil, or beeswax added to create a salve.  Apply to bruises, sprains, burns, skin irritations or sore, aching muscles.

Plant in full sun or partial shade and allow plenty of room since the plant becomes a small shrub.


Harvest your plants on June 24th which is St Johns Day, and peak blooming season. Always harvest your plants in the morning, when the dew has dried, to get full effect of the essential oils.

St. John's Wort Infused Oil
Pick flowers and cover with olive oil
Place in a sunny window and infuse for 2 weeks, shaking every two or three days.  Keep covered with oil
Place in the refrigerator, or a cool dark place after infused.


































Image courtesy of Jennifer Anderson


USDA-NRCS Plants Database http://plants.usda.gov/

Don't Throw That Away, I can Use It In the Garden!

This bottom of a wheelbarrow was given to me by Sandra, and I screwed the tub on.  Plans were to fill it with lantana, but I have now decided to place a big fern in it, to add interest under an oak tree.

I was out in the garden yesterday and I thought I would share some of my unusual containers I have picked up along the way, or have been given. When you like junk, you seem to somehow attract it.  In fact, my friend Sandra called yesterday to let me know of a sale, and we are going this afternoon.  And how is it that you seem to attract friends who like the same junk?  Go figure. We also like the same books to inspire us to buy even MORE junk.  My best friend Becky and I are going to Minneapolis in September for a "Where Women Create" event, and as fate would have it, it includes a trip to the JUNK BONANZA! Life just doesn't get any better.

Hope these pictures inspire you to go buy some "recycled" containers. They look add interest and color to the garden, and the porch or deck.

               

hens and chicks in an old feed scoop 

lantana in a logold wicker chair and enamel bucket add color to this corner of house under shade tree  I only paid 10 for the chair years ago and it has been painted 3 colors.  Moss rose in a scotts spreader adds color to the area around the patio. The soil is bad and the area has full sun, so containers are a good choice.This is one of my favorite finds.  Found in an antique store, it made a perfect addition to the front yard perennial bed. Paid a little more than I usually do, but......it will last forever.

Happy Hunting!

I would love to receive pictures of your garden treasures to post on my blog

Karen@gardenchick.com