The First Snow!

Yesterday morning, the backyard was covered with a light dusting of snow!

It was sooooooooo cold! But I managed to snap a photo of the mint, which has invaded the backyard... (my mom was not kidding when she said make sure to never let it get out of the pot!) I don't know what happened...

Apparently, it lives on through at least several freezes (and now snow!)

Anyways... welcome winter! Please bring lots of snow this year! Maybe even a white Christmas? :)

The Day the Leaves Fell!

I must say... I have thoroughly been enjoying my daily walks around the neighborhood. :) Especially because I  ♥  Fall!

Since the moment Fall arrived, I've been walking almost every morning. It's amazing what just 20 minutes walking outside in nature will do for your well-being!

Thanksgiving was the day the trees in the neighborhood finally lost their leaves! The night before, the temperature dropped to around 19 degrees F. Brrrrrrrrrrr!

The sidewalks were completely covered...

My mom and I had a blast crunching through them! It was a perfect Thanksgiving morning. :)

The Last of the Bell Peppers

Good morning!

Does anyone have anything left from their summer garden? I don't (aside from the perennials)...

















These bell peppers were the last vegetables to be picked! (They needed to be picked before it was too late!)

About these bell peppers:
For some reason... back in August, they were not really "taking off." The plants had plenty of leaves, but just a couple (and very tiny) bell peppers.

So, on a whim, I decided to cut off most of the leaves along the length of the stems, leaving only the ones near the tops of the plants... 

My mom thought I was crazy for doing this!

I was thinking that with less leaves to worry about, the plants could put more effort into growing the peppers...























And, I am completely serious... the very next day, the bell peppers began to grow!

About a week later, there was an almost-full-sized pepper on one of the plants, and many others that were almost just as big!

Learn by doing! ;)

Nature Inspired Gifts!

Greetings!

Today I want to share a nature-inspired gift idea with you...

















White Chocolate Cranberry Almond Candy

Last minute, I realized I could make it to a "going away" party.

Even though the couple requested no gifts, I still wanted to bring them a little something. ;)

It took simple ingredients and just minutes to make...

Ingredients:

• Almonds
• Dried Cranberries 
• White Chocolate Chips

 Directions:

Spread almonds and dried cranberries over a baking dish (covered in wax paper or aluminum), melt white chocolate chips in a double boiler, pour chocolate over pan, then sprinkle a few more almonds & cranberries over the top. Let cool (I set outside!) and cut into pieces when solid.

Idea inspired by Disney's "Family Fun" magazine.

Indoor Gardening! Perfect Year Round...

Indoor gardening is great year round... but it's even better when it is cold outside!

Earlier this year I picked up some cleanrance rack! plants. They were 50% off!! I will admit, they were not as vibrant as the others, but after a little attention and water... they completely came back to life!

My favorite is this Golden Pothos plant... it is making its way across the room!























Did you know that houseplants even have benefits?

• They improve air quality.
• They provide a calm & relaxing atmosphere!

Is it Really November?

Is Thanksgiving really less than 3 weeks away? This week the temperatures have been in the mid-80's!

(The average for this time of year is 70 degrees F.)

The garden seems to be just as confused as I am... The roses are still in full bloom!

 

And so are the marigolds...

At least the fig tree is showing signs of the season!!