A New Year

More posts coming soon, lots of projects in progress, check back often. You can follow me on Facebook. I will link up there with updates.



Please contact me with questions, comments or suggestions at
jmgargoyle@msn.com.































Friday, July 11, 2008

St Louis A-List Awards Colleen's Cookies

A whimsical presentation of Colleen's Cookies for the St Louis Magazines A-List Awards. Check out the link for Colleen's Cookies under Favorite Things.
Butterflies and Gerbera daisies make a bold statement.
Tasty Linzer cookies with Raspberry filling take center stage.
So many treats to choose from!

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Diamond Frost


``Diamond Frost'' has delicate white flowers that will remind you of baby's breath. The difference is that Euphorbia ``Diamond Frost'' is grown as a potted plant for both indoor and outdoor use. ``Diamond Frost'' has been available in the nursery trade for only a few years, yet in this short time it has proven itself as winner. Planted outdoors, it blooms nonstop when utilized as a bedding plant or ground cover. ``Diamond Frost'' is highly drought tolerant with a bushy, yet open growth habit, uniquely qualifying it as a subject for hanging baskets and containers.``Diamond Frost,'' as a member of the succulent Euphorbiaceae or spurge family, is not as hung up on the issue of moisture loss. A bonus attached to ``Diamond Frost'' is its ease of propagation so that you are actually getting dozens, if not eventually hundreds, of plants at no extra charge. Detach 3-inch stem pieces and stick them in pots or soft ground to expand the presence of ``Diamond Frost'' in your garden.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Happy Earth Day

Every year, April 22 is celebrated as Earth Day. Still, it is best to be kind to the earth every day.
This is where we live, and unless our habitat is in good shape, we cannot live as well or as long as we would like. Here are some great ideas to keep the earth clean.
*Never throw things away unless you use a trash container or a recycle container.
*If you see trash on the street, pick it up and throw it away.
*When you no longer need an item like a toy or clothing, give it away to someone who can use it.
*Have a yard sale with your family or friends.
*Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins.
*Buy recycled paper and plastic products whenever possible.
*Use paper instead of plastic bags, or better yet, used cloth bags when shopping.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Capsicum 'Black Pearl'

Attractive pearl-like black fruits appear on this ornamental pepper in summer, but the real show begins when those fruits mature to cherry red in sharp contrast with the plant’s superb, season-long, glossy black foliage. Plants typically grow in pyramidal shaped mounds to 18 inches tall and exhibit good tolerance for high heat and humidity. This is an excellent selection for beds, borders or containers. Plant in Full Sun.

Dichondra "Silver Falls"

Branching silver stems with soft, rounded, fan-shaped, silver leaves spread rapidly on this creeping/trailing foliage plant. In a single season, stems will cascade from a hanging basket to 3-6 feet or will creep along the ground rooting at the nodes to 3-4 feet. Tiny greenish-yellow spring flowers are not showy. It is the dense, metallic foliage that impresses. Great as an accent plant in containers and hanging baskets. Plant in full sun.

TerraCycle Sells Trash

TerraCycle manufactures affordable, potent, organic products that are not only made from waste, but are also packaged entirely in waste! TerraCycle Plant Food™ is made by feeding premium organic waste to millions of worms. The worm poop is then liquified into a powerful organic plant food and bottled directly in used soda bottles.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Strawberries

The first seasonal strawberries appear in our markets and shops in April. The fruit we know today has evolved from the wild or alpine strawberry, which can still be found in grassy woodlands all over Europe. You can experience their delicate flavour in wild strawberry jam which is available from specialist shops. Cultivated strawberries come in many varieties and in all shapes and sizes. Look for fruit that is firm and unblemished and go for smaller fruits, because larger ones, although they may may look like more of a treat, are often watery. Supermarkets will often stock only one or two varieties but if you venture out and find a pick-your-own farm you should get wider choice and more fruit for your money.Adding balsamic vinegar to the strawberries does wonders for the flavor and produces delicious juices.
Ingredients:
1 pint box strawberries
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Hull and slice the strawberries and combine them with the sugar and balsamic vinegar. Leave for 1 hour before serving.

Green Floor Coverings


Anso Nylon Carpet in Fresh N Fabulous. Subtle yet striking, Fresh N Fabulous from Shaw offers dimension and fashion with a raised geometric square pattern and natural striations of soft two-toned color. Made of luxurious, durable Anso ® nylon, Fresh N Fabulous contains recycled content and is recyclable into new carpet again and again –CARPET TO CARPET ™. Shown in Java.

Green toilets


Wellworth Pressure Lite Elongated Toilet FEATURED IN THE HGTV GREEN HOME, the Wellworth elongated toilet brings graceful design and superior functionality to the bathroom with the Pressure Assist technology, precision-engineered to deliver complete 1.1-gpf performance. 30-1/4"L x 21-1/4"W x 29-1/4"H
Pressure Assist flushing system
Two-piece toilet with elongated bowl
Meets strict flushing performance guidelines established by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) WaterSense program - uses at least 20% less water than standard 1.6-gallon toilets.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Marigold Mumsy Gold


Beginning in late spring and continuing through summer and into fall, Mumsy is a tireless bloomer, setting giant 4-inch double blooms with a flattish pompon shape. Mumsy reaches about 14 inches high and 8 inches wide, it makes a good container choice, offering a lot of color in very little, bright and sunny space.

Clematis "Princess Diana"


The dainty, upright blooms are shaped like Tulips, with a soft pink-to-white base and a rich darker pink stripe distinguishing every blossom. Abundantly borne on neat little vines, they blanket the garden first in mid- to late summer, then return for an encore in fall. This vine grows just 8 feet tall and wide in sunny to partly shaded soil. Like most Clematis, it prefers an eastern exposure and rich, moist soil. Mulch around the base of the plant to keep the roots cool. Hardy zones 3-9.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Garden Phlox "Robert Poore"


This giant among the garden phlox varieties, with its fragrant, richly colored red-purple flower clusters, is sure to catch your attention when it blooms in mid-summer. Named after Mississippi landscape architect Robert Poore, this is a top-rated phlox for its resistance to powdery mildew, the nemesis of many other paniculata cultivars.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Mardi Gras


Flamboyant blooms in a novel blend of pink, orange, and yellow, and a delightful peppery scent, Mardi Gras creates a festive atmosphere in any setting. The colorful blooms are perfectly framed with dark green, semi-glossy foliage, and its upright columnar habit makes Mardi Gras an ideal rose to use as a hedge or in a border with mixed perennials.
Location: Full Sun
Height:4 feet

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Geranium Elke


Very long-blooming, beginning in spring, lasting through the worst summer heat, and continuing into fall, also far more tolerant of heat, cold, and even drought than most other hardy geraniums. Charming pink-toned blooms and red autumn foliage, gives you a carefree, colorful, long-lived ground cover.

Location: Sun or Part Shade
Height:10 inches

Ajuga 'Golden Glow'


Everyone has a burgundy ajuga but this new variety has gold- and cream-variegated foliage.
Location: Sun or Shade
Height: 6-8 inches

Friday, December 21, 2007

Fizz and Food


Although dry sparklers are the perfect aperitifs enjoyed on their own (it's all because of the crisp acidity, light flavours and clean-tasting bubbles), they do go well with some dishes, especially:
Salmon and other fish mousse
Smoked salmon
Sushi
Crispy fried vegetarian dishes, such as tempura
Asparagus
Fresh prawns
Small filo parcels and creamy vol-au-vents
Spicy canapés, like tiny satay sticks
White fish dishes, such as grilled sole or plaice
Chicken in creamy sauces
Oysters

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Citrus Topiary




Citrus Topiaries are the hot trend for next Christmas, 2008. A festive twist on the traditional decor that will look fresh for the entire winter season.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Christmas Trees Present Day

Today – Approximately 25-30 million Real Christmas Trees are sold each year in the United States. Almost all of these come from Christmas Tree plantations.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Raclette

A dish indigenous to parts of Switzerland. The Raclette cheese round is heated, either in front of a fire or by a special machine, then scraped onto diners' plates.Traditionally, it is accompanied by small firm potatoes, gherkins, pickled onions, dried meats (such as prosciutto), sliced peppers, tomato, onion, mushrooms, pears, and dusted with paprika and fresh-ground black pepper. It is normally accompanied by a white wine, such as a Riesling or a Pinot Gris.

Christmas Trees and the White House

1966 – The National Christmas Tree Association began its time-honored tradition of having the Grand Champion grower present a Christmas Tree to the First Lady for display in the Blue Room of the White House. That year, Howard Pierce of Black River Falls, Wisconsin, presented a tree to President Lyndon Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Mistletoe Mojito

1 oz. fresh lime juice
1 tbsp. superfine sugar
8 fresh mint leaves
2 oz. white rum
2 tsp. pomegranate seeds
4 oz. Pomegranate 7UP
1 mint sprig and 1 lime wedge for garnish
In a highball glass, muddle lime juice, sugar and mint leaves until sugar is dissolved.
Add rum and pomegranate seeds.
Fill glass with ice and top with Pomegranate 7UP.

Garnish with mint sprig and lime wedge. Enjoy.
Makes 1 mojito.

Christmas Trees 1901

1901 – The first Christmas Tree farm was started in 1901 when W.V. McGalliard planted 25,000 Norway spruce on his farm in New Jersey. Also in 1901, Theodore Roosevelt tried to stop the practice of having Christmas Trees out of concern about the destruction of forests. His two sons didn’t agree and enlisted the help of conservationist Gifford Pinchot to persuade the president that, done properly, the practice was not harmful to the forests.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Christmas Trees 1900


1900s – Due to overharvesting, the natural supply of evergreens began to be decimated. Conservationists became alarmed, and many magazines began to encourage people to substitute an artificial feather covered tree, consisting of a branch of a deciduous tree wrapped in cotton floss and dyed feathers.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Christmas Trees in the Late 1800's


Late 1800s – The first glass ornaments were introduced into the United States, again from Germany. The first ones were mostly balls, but later chains of balls, toys and figures became more common

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Eiswein


[ICE-vyn]A German term meaning "ice wine," referring to a rich, flavorful dessrt wine. Eiswein is made by picking grapes that are frozen on the vine and then pressing them before they thaw. Because much of the water in the grapes is frozen, the resulting juice is concentrated-rich in flavor and high in sugar and acid. The resulting wines, extraordinarily sweet, yet balanced by high acidity.

Christmas Tree 1800's


1800s – The Christmas Tree was introduced in the United States by German settlers. It rapidly grew from tabletop size to floor-to-ceiling.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

18th Century Christmas Trees


1700s – In parts of Austria and Germany, evergreen tips were brought into the home and hung top down from the ceiling. They were often decorated with apples, gilded nuts and red paper strips. Edible ornaments became so popular on Christmas Trees that they were often called “sugartrees.” The first accounts of using lighted candles as decorations on Christmas Trees come from France in the 18th century.

Monday, December 10, 2007

New Use for Antique Ornaments

Antique Christmas ornaments can add an Old World or vintage touch to your holiday décor. Begin a collection of antique ornaments and look for pieces throughout the year. If you have treasured antique Christmas ornaments and are wary of placing them on the tree, you may want to showcase them on tiered glass cake plates and other glass containers and candlesticks.

17th Century Christmas Trees

1600s – By the 17th century, it was common in Germany to decorate Christmas Trees with apples. This practice was a holdover from the 14th and 15th centuries when evergreen boughs hung with apples were the only prop used in the “miracle plays” that were performed at the churches on December 24. December 24 was Adam & Eve’s Day in the early Christian calendar, and the plays were used as ways of teaching the Bible to a largely illiterate population.

Holiday Plant Safety Tips for Pets


A number of Christmas season plants are poisonous to pets if nibbled or eaten:
Ivy - moderate to very toxic, all parts
Holly - moderate to very toxic, especially the berries and leaves
Mistletoe - very toxic, all parts, especially the berries
Christmas greens such as balsam, juniper, cedar, pine and fir - all parts have a low level of toxicity
Hibiscus - may cause vomiting or bloody diarrhea if ingested
Poinsettias - leaves and stems low in toxicity.
It's wise to keep plants out of your pets' and children's reach.