Monday, August 8, 2011

We canned some stuff yesterday...

We collected this...




Made this into sweet pickled green tomatoes...


Made this into Chow-Chow...



By doing this...




Success...






Had a man down?



It wasn't as difficult as we thought it would be.  If anyone wants recipes/specifics, let us know.  Otherwise, I am watching a classic movie.  Hint:  "Time marches on, and eventually you realize it's marching across your face."  So true.

Next...new herb poll.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Butterfly Porn

Our previously scheduled blog post "It's in the GrowDammit Can" has been interrupted to bring you an unexpected Wild Kingdom Moment.













Who knew they mated upside down?

Reminds me of the old joke...

One day the owner of a Chinese restaurant says to his wife, "Tonight, why don't we try 69?"  And she says, "You want beef & broccoli for dinner?"

Bowchickawowwow.

Next...The promised, but much less exciting day of pickling stuff.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Happy Birthday Eldest Spawn!

He decided against a Sweet 16 party, but did say he would wear a gown and tiara to celebrate if someone would buy him a car.  If any of our blog followers are so inclined, there appears to be no statute of limitations on that offer.

We decided to have a Mom/Son date night last night and go see the latest Harry Potter movie in digital 3D at the IMAX which is 30 minutes away...if you do the speed limit.  We no sooner got to the theater, bought our tickets and sat down to wait for our movie to open up when the theater experienced a brown out.  I've never seen such chaos.  Not one theater employee went into a screening to explain what the hell happened and 16 theaters full of people came pouring out at once to find out.  Added to that, they continued to sell tickets and people were descending on one poor usher to get into their movie.  The Manager finally showed up and did absolutely nothing to help this girl, but stand around and talk on his walkie talkie.  Finally 30 minutes later, we were told our movie was a go.  We sat down, and were really impressed with the Real 3D.  However, we soon realized something with the sound was not quite right.  About 10 minutes into the movie, the Manager comes in to announce that there was a blown amp.  It was unfixable and we could see the next showing in regular IMAX 3D if we wanted.  We didn't want.  Not only was it poorer quality, but in the first sitting we had primo seats.  If we had chosen the other, we weren't sure we'd even get to sit together it was so crowded.

Bday weekend celebration was 0 and 1.

This morning we woke up and the spawn started complaining about an earache.  This child has a high tolerance for pain, so when he mentions it you take notice.  Since he had been running a low grade fever last week and was congested, I ruled out swimmer's ear and called his doctor.  We got an appointment and lo and behold, the spawn has an ear infection.

Bday weekend celebration was 0 and 2.

We thought we lucked out though b/c we figured they'd just sign his physical paperwork for a driving permit and we'd be on our way.  Wrong.  Because of new PIAA school sports regulations, we had to get a last minute physical through the school so he can play soccer on his high school team this year.  The doctor refused to fill out the paperwork today b/c they haven't done a physical in their office in the last 6 months.  And he wouldn't do one today b/c Saturday appointments are for sick visits only, so we ended up at an urgent care facility for a physical.

0 and 3.

In between all of this fun, we had breakfast at a once really good local diner that has gone to shit.  Warning local peeps...Gramm's Kitchen is no longer feeling Gramm's love.

0 and 4.

Then we got stuck in traffic.   Really PENNDOT, are you EVER going to finish whatever you are doing to Route 202? It's been almost 2 years and NOTHING changes.


0 and 5.

We finally got to the DMV, the spawn took his test and passed.  Right as he passed, the only guy in the place issuing permits took his lunch break.  We sat there for another hour waiting on a piece of paper.

0 and 5 1/2 (this gets a half b/c he passed, when at least 4 did not while I was sitting with the parents).

Oh well, alls well that ends well...




In other spawn news, the Spawnette was in a car accident today.  She is okay!! Just a little banged up.

Next...Tomorrow we pickle some stuff, and

Yellow Heirloom Tomato Sammiches

Friday, August 5, 2011

A Day Late and A Recipe Short

Okay, so maybe a gimmicky day for the blog was a bit ambitious.  I do promise a new recipe this weekend.  We're going to try our hand at putting up.  Up, not out people.

For all of our blog viewers, here's a recap of our morning Facebook exchange...

I can see where the confusion might set in.

We're planning on some pickled green tomatoes and some Chow-Chow, and will document with recipes along the way.

For anyone wondering about my shitty mood...it got a whole lot better today.

Next...Tomorrow is the eldest spawn's Sweet 16.  Tonight is Harry Potter in 3D at the IMAX.  Later.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

For the Birds

Or the bird lovers.









I'll tell you what else is for the birds.  TD Bank.  Thieves.  They have shoddy, deceptive business practices and exorbitant hidden fees.  I'm done with them.  And when we win the lottery (or our incredibly witty and savvy garden blog makes us rich and famous) and they are begging for my business, they can kiss my ass.

Next...I'm hoping something will happen to get me out of the shitty mood I'm in.  There's a new poll.  Vote in it.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

Farmer Ted busted the tomato muncher this morning.


Who would've guessed something the size of that could squeeze itself through a 2"x2" fence hole?  At least we know what we are up against now, after spending the better part of the past week or so searching for tomato hornworms.  I was beginning to think we were being led on a snipe hunt.

It's also pretty clear that we are not going to win the War of the Brussel Sprouts.

Yes, we've weeded since we took this pic.
So, now Ted has to figure out how to keep the little demons out of the gardens.  The nasty deer and rabbit "repellant" concoction he sprayed around the perimeter didn't work.  I'm not quite sure how they are immune to it.  As Ted so eloquently described it, "That shit smells like hookers on pay day."  I'll just say it made me throw up in my mouth.

Next...Chives beat Sage, so I guess that means a new poll should go up tonight.  Come back later and vote.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Rubbing Elbows

We took a field trip yesterday to hang out with our neighbors, the Duponts.  Sort of.  Actually, I found a Groupon for half-off admission to Longwood Gardens.  If you are looking for a reason to come visit us up here in PA, this is it.  Ted & I concur that even paying full price admission is a deal.  This might be as close to Shangri La as you're gonna find, and it's less than 10 minutes from my house.

Mr. Camera got some nice shots.

Yellow Swallowtail on Lantana

What is that weird hummingbird insect looking thing?


A baby hummingbird?

Nope.  A Hummingbird Moth.  It mimics a hummingbird.  Nature is so cool.
We took a pic of this b/c I want something for the garden that is tall, red and in bloom right now.  We have no idea what it is?

Very cool idea.  Didn't get a picture of the actual lantana tree.

Angel Trumpet.  Want this.

Bog Garden Envy
Everyone should have their own formal Italian Fountain Garden.
Always kiss the frog ladies.

Do we have a place for this?

And this bell tower?

Idea for shaded area in back of our property.  Again, no pic of actual plant.

Kewl
The Eye of Water

Where are we gonna put the Conservatory?
So we can have indoor fountains.
Every home needs a wall of green leading to the bathrooms.
We could get used to waking up to this.
And this.
And this.
Behind the scenes view of the Longwood Organ.
It's a huge organ.  Minds out of the gutter people.  
Farmer Ted wrote & performed a song about me.
For all of you familiar with Ted's songs, see if you can find it.
For those not familiar with Ted's songs.

Scenes from the orchid room.




Ginger?




My favorite was the water garden.



Idea for when we add our water feature.



Lotus


More random conservatory.

  

Who knew bananas flowered?


The succulent garden.






We'll spare you the 500 other pictures we took.

Except for a few final shots...

Fountain display at night. 
Farmer Ted needs to work on the night pics.



Hey Mr. Dupont, we Wannabe Farmers.  Let us know when our room is ready.