Growing leeks

After a trip to our local grocery store where I purchased leeks to cook with lunch. I cleaned, sliced and put some in the fridge for the next meal. My husband said "I'll bet if I plant the ends, they will grow"....The leeks did not even have very many tiny roots on the bottom...So, I really did not think they had a chance.

Well, negative thinking Nellie was wrong! They are growing. The deeper that you plant leeks, the more white will grow. I cut off the tops (like with green onions and right before winter I pull up the bulb. The small leaves are very tender when they are small. I use leaks in soup or anything that you use onions for. They are milder in flavor than most onions.

My plants have managed to stay alive despite very little rain and hot weather (TX). It is not July or August yet! I raise plants in large planters with lots of soil on my deck. Tomatoes, green onions, herbs and these crazy beans (asparagus beans) that seem like they grow at least 4 inches a day.

Kitchen Magic...Sprouting seeds.

I saw this neat sprouter on Martha Stewart and I sent it to my daughter. It came from Johnny's Selected Seeds. All of Johnny's high-germination sprouting seeds are untreated and have tested negative for the presence of E. coli 0157 and Salmonella. Most are certified organic, designated by the OG symbol. Organically grown

BIOSET Kitchen Salad Garden Kit
Start growing fresh sprouts!In this kit, the Bioset is combined with three different 1/4 lb. bags of sprout seed. Experience a wide range of flavors with the crunchy, mild flavor of Mung Bean sprouts, the slightly spicy, unique flavor of Broccoli sprouts, and the sharp, spicy taste of China Rose Radish sprouts. Makes a great gift.

I can't wait to see how she likes it.

Their Blog

http://growingideas.johnnyseeds.com/

Costume Designer Kermit Love....

Kermit Love, the costume designer who helped puppeteer Jim Henson create Big Bird and other "Sesame Street" characters, has died. He was 91.

"Sesame Street," public television's groundbreaking effort to use TV to teach preschoolers, premiered in 1969. Henson designed the original sketches of Big Bird, and Love then built the 8-foot, 2-inch yellow-feathered costume.
It was Love's idea to add a few feathers designed to fall off, to create a more realistic feel.
"The most important thing about puppets is that they must project their imagination, and then the audience must open their eyes and imagine," he told The New York Times in 1981.
Love also helped design costumes and puppets for Mr. Snuffleupagus, Oscar the Grouch and Cookie Monster, among other characters. He even appeared on the show himself as Willy, the fantasy neighborhood's resident hot dog vendor.
But Love always insisted Henson's famous frog wasn't named for him, according to The New York Times.

Grandmas

WHAT ARE GRANDMAS FOR?

Grandmas are for stories

about things of long ago.

Grandmas are for caring

about all the things you know...

Grandmas are for rocking you

and singing you to sleep,

Grandmas are for giving you

nice memories to keep...

Grandmas are for knowing

all the things you're dreaming of...

But, most importantly of all,

grandmas are for love.

~Author Unknown~

As our grandmother passed away this week, my thoughts turned to how it used to be...before alzheimers.

She could be a tough lady at work...

But, she did have a soft side, she loved her family.

I thought of a time when she was visiting at my parents and I walked in the door with very little sleep from being up all night with a baby with colic. I dragged in the door telling her about the rough night. She reached out her arms and said..."give her to me, she needs mamaw to rock her and make her tummy feel all better". She rocked and rocked her and "grandma was right"...she did make it all better.

We did not live in the same state most of my life, but she always bridged the miles and she did not seem that far away. Cards and trips kept us in touch. She had a special way of always letting you know she was thinking of you. I saw this crazy ring and thought of you, a card for every special day (easter, valentines, thanksgiving......etc.). Her special touch was everywhere....Jingle Bells tied on the end of curling ribbon, just because card, a toothbrush added to your easter treats (to remind you to take care) or a postcard from her travels.

She has been gone in spirit for quite a while, but now her body is being laid to rest next to her husband (who had been taken so many years ago). I know he greeted you at the gate with a kiss and even though we miss you grandma... I am comforted that you will not suffer anymore.

Love,

your grandaughter

Grandparents

GRANDPARENTS
Grandparents bestow upon their grandchildren

The strength and wisdom that time

And experience have given them.
Grandchildren bless their Grandparents

With a youthful vitality and innocence

That help them stay young at heart forever.
Together they create a chain of love

Linking the past with the future.

The chain may lengthen,

But it will never part...
~Author Unknown~

Mothers

*************************************

The Mother

by Robert William Service

Your children grow from you apart,

Afar and still afar;

And yet it should rejoice your heart

To see how glad they are;

In school and sport, in work and play,

And last, in wedded bliss

How others claim with joy to-day

The lips you used to kiss.

Your children distant will become,

And wide the gulf will grow;

The lips of loving will be dumb,

The trust you used to know

Will in another's heart repose,

Another's voice will cheer . . .

And you will fondle baby clothes

And brush away a tear.

But though you are estranged almost,

And often lost to view,

How you will see a little ghost

Who ran to cling to you!

Yet maybe children's children will

Caress you with a smile . . .

Grandmother love will bless you still,--

Well, just a little while.

Beauty

A Thing of Beauty (Endymion)

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its lovliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkn'd ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
'Gainst the hot season; the mid-forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink.

John Keats
-------------------------

What is beautiful?

Beautiful is the ‘thank you’
Wrapped with gratitude
Offered to someone
Who goes out of his way,

Sidetracking his own self-
Nay, his very survival,
To help a lame dog
Over the hedge.
Beautiful is he

Though without tomorrow
Enjoys the heat of the moment
Or the cold stare of fate
Without sorrow
Cultivates good feelings

In the teeth of adversity
Notwithstanding in a second
His breath could be taken away.
Beautiful is he who nurses
The victims through the thick of war

Carrying his humanity
Quietly and humbly
In a bloodthirsty world.

yoonoos peerbocus

Lend Me a Pup

Lend Me a Pup

I will lend to you for a while

a puppy, God said,

For you to love him while he lives

and to mourn for him when he is gone.

Maybe for twelve or fourteen years,

or maybe for two or three.

But will you, till I call him back

take care of him for me ?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you

and (should his stay be brief)

you'll always have his memories

as solace for your grief .

I cannot promise that he will stay,

since all from earth return,

But there are lessons taught below

I want this pup to learn.

I've looked the whole world over

in search of teachers true

And from the folk that crowd life's land

I have chosen you.

Now will you give him all your love

Nor think the labour vain

Nor hate me when I come to take my pup back again.

I fancied that I heard them say

"Dear Lord Thy Will Be Done,

"For all the joys this pup will bring,

the risk of grief you'll run.

Will you shelter him with tenderness

Will you love him while you may

And for the happiness you'll know forever grateful stay.

But should I call him back

much sooner than you've planned

Please brave the bitter grief that comes

and try to understand.

If, by your love, you've managed

my wishes to achieve,

In memory of him that you've loved,

cherish every moment with your faithful bundle,

and know he loved you too.

- Author Unknown

My Sashi 02-04-94 to 03-26-07

*♥*

Sasha.......
I'll love you for ever...I'll love you for always, my baby you'll be.♥

Love,

Mom