Sparrow ID

I went to a Sparrow Identification workshop yesterday at Duke Farms. It was taught by Pete Bacinski from NJ Audubon. We learned how to ID the following sparrows (and birds previously classified as sparrows): Song, Savannah, Ipswitch Savannah, Lincoln, Vesper, Fox, Chipping, Clay-Colored, Field, American Tree, Lark, Swamp, Seaside, Saltmarsh, Nelson, LeConte, Grasshoper, Henslow, White Throated, White Crowned, Gambel's White Crowned, Harris...then Dark-Eyed Junko, Lapland Longspur, Snow Bunting, Dickcissel and Eastern Towhee. Whew, that's a lot! I am most looking forward to one day seeing a Fox Sparrow.

Food Co-op

I've been involved in a wonderful experiment with friends this summer, a dinner co-op. I make three of the same dishes and then exchange with two other friends. This way, we each have three meals pre-made for the week. It has saved me time, money, and spared me the what's-for-dinner conundrum

I've made:

Cassoulet-Style Chicken (chicken and kielbasa) + garden salad with vinaigrette
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/cassoulet_style_chicken_thighs.html

Skillet gnocchi with chard, white beans, tomatoes, mozzarella + spinach/pear/walnut/Gorgonzola salad
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/menus/skillet_gnocchi_with_chard_white_beans_500_calorie_menu

Lemon Chicken with Broccoli and a side of pasta
(weight watchers recipe)

Flower School

This would be fun to do sometime

Little Flower School

A flower arranging class with beautiful buds and a champagne toast!

Composting Summer '10

I have been using a homemade composter for about 1.5 years now. Simple in design, just a garbage can with the bottom cut out placed upside down in a shallow hole in the ground, it made some great compost as evident by these pictures (garbage can removed to show contents):

Now I've upgraded to an EnviroCycle Compact Composter. I am hoping that the benefit will be more readily available compost (and compost tea) than I had from the above method. Before, I had to dismantle and move the pile from spot to spot. The other benefit is that now the composter is situated on my cement walkway, not taking up any precious gardening space in my small yard.

Herbal Teas

New York Times Article:
Making Tea From Plants Grown in the Backyard

Lemon Ginger Scones

Just made these Lemon Ginger Scones

Garden Archive 5/10

Vinca vine given by a friend.

New trellis for roses

Wisteria

astilbe

Solomon's Seal

Cora Bells

Rose of Sharon Seedling from a friend.

Yellow Daylily and Jacob's Ladder

Cleveland Pear Trees planted Summer '08