#31Days - Herbs & Spices

    

Most of the information out there on companion planting of herbs and spices is geared toward what other plants (fruits, veg) would be benefitted by the specific herbs, etc.

Working list of herbs for 2014 garden:  Basil, Bay leaves, Coriander, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme;

Working list of spices for 2014 garden: Cinnamon, Cloves, Cumin, Curry Powder, Turmeric

Basil works well with:  tomatoes, peppers, oregano, asparagus; not so with rue or sage.

Bay leaves, in companion planting, seem to work best as a pest repellent.

Coriander comes from the cilantro plant, after it has gone to seed, and works well with:  anise, beans, caraway, dill, peas, potato, spinach.

Oregano works with just about anything, but especially with broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and grapes.

Rosemary works well with:  beans, cabbage, carrots and sage

Thyme works well with:  cabbage, eggplants, potatoes, and tomatoes.

Spices don't appear to figure into companion planting scenarios.  (The above pictures of herbs were obtain from Wikimedia Commons and available under the Creative Commons License.)


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The October Daily Challenge prompt for Saturday, October 11, 2013 is:

"Your day in photos."

I don't think I have enough photos of a typical day to really do this one justice. :/

But I did find a picture of me first thing in the morning:

(This shot has been in my photobucket for y-e-a-r-s.  I no longer remember where I got it.  If it is yours, or you know the source, please let me know?)

25 Questions to Ask Your Grandparents

If you want to start (or are in the middle of) gathering family stories and family history, it helps to talk to older relatives.  In case you don't already have questions in mind, I compiled a short (and by no means comprehensive) list that you can modify to suit your needs.  It's good to already have a list of questions prepared before you speak with your grandparents, aunts & uncles, great-grandparents, etc.
1.  What is you earliest memory?
2.  How many siblings do you have?
3.  Can you tell me about your mother?
4.  Can you tell me about your father?
5.  What was your schooling like?
6.  What pet/s did you have growing up?
7.  What is your favorite color?
8.  What's the farthest away from home you've ever traveled?
9.  How did you meet grandpa/ma?
10.  Do you keep a journal?
11.  What was your favorite present you've received?
12.  What was your favorite present that you've given?
13.  How do you keep in touch with friends from your younger days?
14.  What's the bravest thing you ever did?
15.  What do you feel most proud of in your life?
16.  What do you feel least proud of in your life?
17.  What is your favorite food?
18.  What was going to church like when you were younger?
19.  What is the most important lesson you've learned?
20.  What's on your bucket list?
21.  What was dating like when you were younger?
22.  What is your favorite book?
23.  Can you tell me a funny story about my mother/father growing up?
24.  How did you use your talents?
25.  How can I help you?
I'd be thrilled if you would share a question you would like to ask one of your ancestors, so the list will keep growing!  Thanks and have a great weekend!

Heart-y Apple Pie

After you are done here (hopefully leaving a comment?), please go and visit some of the a-m-a-z-i-n-g submissions on the Strut Your Stuff Saturdays link-up at Six Sisters' Stuff!

Source: Uploaded by user via LuAnn on Pinterest

I really don't know what possessed me.  I have not been creative in the kitchen for y-e-a-r-s!

But after Blogathon Bash 2 in January, I started planning out a month's blog posts around a theme.  February's theme was, of course, LOVE.  And for some reason, in today's little slot I wrote "Love Apples". Originally I had envisioned a baked apple kind of dessert using sliced apples cut into little heart shapes with a cookie cutter.

Anyway, the above picture shows the result.  Not too bad for a culinary newbie, if I do say so myself.  Of course, it was dead easy.  Frozen pie crust, 2 cans of apple pie filling, and apple slices cut into heart shapes with 2 different sized cookie cutters.  Little crust cut-outs would word just as well.  (Just remember, the kitchen is basically an undiscovered country for me.)

And, of course, it was nice to have to threaten the kids to LEAVE IT ALONE until I could get a picture of it.