A fresh look for my porch...a simple hanging basket tutorial

Since our front porch faces south and has full exposure to the heat of the summer sun, million bells are my favorite flowers for hanging baskets. Aren't they gorgeous?

[image source]


[image source]

Not only are these sun-loving beauties abundant bloomers, they are truly the lowest-maintenance annuals I've ever grown. Since seed is currently not available, these need to be purchased in 4" pots at your local nursery; be forewarned, though, that they are a little spendy. BUT, if you're looking for easy-care flowers that will bloom all season long (until your first frost), these are definitely worth it! Imagine, no deadheading! And the only maintenance note to be aware of is that too wet of a soil will cause root rot -- be sure to allow the top of the soil to dry between watering and you'll avoid this problem. And just in case you need another reason to try these this year, hummingbirds love them.  :)

To prepare your hanging baskets for this year's plants, you'll need to remove any dried stems and roots from the previous year's plants and loosen up the soil.

Remove half of the depleted soil and replace it with compost and some fertilizer (amounts vary depending on the size of your container).

Stir everything together until well-combined before adding your new plants and water gently. I always allow my transplants to enjoy a little time in the shade before moving them into the sun as it seems to help with transplant shock.

Finally, hang your baskets and enjoy!

Happy gardening!

~Lisa

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Catnip...

       

For the record, this wasn't posed. All I heard was, "Lisa, come here quick, and bring the camera!"

Cute? Yes. :)

But...

I was looking forward to growing some catnip  --  I was even willing to share some with our feline friends.

But...

I never expected this!!

Lesson learned? Definitely.

Will have to figure out a way to successfully grow catnip without giving the cats access to it. Suggestions anyone?

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Sharing with April's Gallery of Favorites :)

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Thanks for dropping in! I hope your visit to Dole Valley has been both a blessing and encouragement; if so, won't you join me? Look to the upper right to follow or subscribe.  

~Lisa

Disclosure

On my needles...

I really thought I'd be finished working up my cowl by now, but life is full and there isn't always time for knitting, is there? Amongst the several things I'm currently reading is Peril and Peace which is the first in a series on church history for youth (lots to learn for adults, too!). I'm hoping to read the entire series aloud to the kids over the summer; we'll see how that goes. :)

What's next?

Petal pink and buttermilk...perfect for booties & a bonnet for a dear friend's first granddaughter. :)



Oh, and I just have to share these granny squares that AnnaLynn's been crocheting. These will be sewn together to make a green and yellow pillow to go on her bed in her green and yellow room. She's been working her way through a Klutz book on crochet and figured out the granny square pattern on her own! My dear Baba (grandma), who taught me to crochet years and years ago, would be so proud.  :)  As far as reading goes for my girl, she just can't get enough of Marguerite Henry. 



Me? I'm still reading Square Foot Gardening along with a book on the fruit of the Spirit and, of course, my Bible.

How about you? What are you reading? What projects are you working on this week?

Joining Ginny:

Thanks for dropping in! I hope your visit to Dole Valley has been both a blessing and encouragement; if so, won't you join me? Look to the upper right to follow, subscribe via email, or via RSS feed. ~Lisa

Disclosure

Strawberry Shortcake Muffins {Muffin Monday}

Since it's strawberry season across much of the country, AnnaLynn and I decided to share one of our most popular muffin recipes from last year...



Originally published in May 2011, our Strawberry Shortcake Muffins are our #2 most popular muffin with, as of this writing, 753 pageviews -- thank you! Want to know which recipe is #1? Just click here.  :)



Since our strawberry patch here in the Pacific Northwest isn't quite ready for picking, we've been enjoying organic California-grown berries for the past few weeks. Not quite as local as we'd like, but they are west coast. :)   Looking forward to the nothing-like-it pleasure of freshly picked home-grown berries!  Until then, we're more than happy to enjoy the abundance from our southern neighbor.



We're working on a new strawberry muffin recipe to share with you next Monday, but in the meantime, go ahead and get out your muffin tin -- enjoy an oldie but goodie!  :)

Strawberry Shortcake Muffins
makes 12 muffins 

2 c. whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 c. organic sugar
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. sea salt
1 egg
1 t. real vanilla
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 - 3/4 c. milk (raw if you have it!)
1.5 c. fresh strawberries, diced

Preheat oven to 400F; place cupcake papers in muffin pan. Measure flour, salt, and baking powder into a small bowl and whisk together. Cream together butter and sugar with electric mixer then add egg and vanilla; mix well. Using a slow speed, add flour mixture to butter mixture alternating with milk (you may not need to add all the milk - use what is needed to produce a moist muffin dough); mix just until muffin ingredients are blended. Gently fold in fresh strawberries.

Fill paper-lined muffin cups 2/3 full; sprinkle tops of batter with a pinch of sugar. Bake about 20-25 minutes or until muffins are a light golden brown. Cool slightly in pan; carefully remove muffins to wire rack, they will be softer than regular muffins at the bottoms due to the fresh strawberries!

For a strawberry shortcake style muffin, enjoy while warm and even add a little freshly whipped cream! Seriously, it tastes just like strawberry shortcake! Or, allow to cool completely so they firm up. Either way, these are scrumptious!

Bon appetit!

Visit our Muffin Monday page for more tasty & healthy muffin inspiration!

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Sharing with:

Full Plate Thursday
Simple Lives Thursday
Day2Day Joys
Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways
This Chick Cooks
Growing Home
Tasty Tuesday
A Southern Fairy Tale

and...

Thanks for dropping in! I hope your visit to Dole Valley has been both a blessing and encouragement; if so, won't you join me? Look to the upper right to follow, subscribe via email, or via RSS feed. ~Lisa

Time...

Kind of says it all, don't you think?

Too often we busy ourselves to the point of believing the lie that we don't have enough time. I do it myself.

How's this for a to-do list?

Slow down. Breathe. Sit still. Pray. Gaze out a window. Reflect. Read. Go for a walk. Enjoy!

You have my permission. :)

Quote discovery made while sipping tea out on my porch late this morning [Good Earth in case you're wondering].

Have a great weekend!

Sharing with:

Far Above Rubies
Time-Warp Wife

Thanks for dropping in! I hope your visit to Dole Valley has been both a blessing and encouragement; if so, won't you join me? Look to the upper right to follow, subscribe via email, or via RSS feed. ~Lisa