Oh Princess - Just Look at That Garden

"Cindy, isn't it just so lovely? It's truly a garden created for a princess."

"Oh, yes, Snow. it's so lovely. I so heart those red petunias that Garden Guy planted."

"It's just so dreamy, isn't it?" Oh, who's that princess?"
"She's coming this direction. I wonder what she wants?". . .

Oh Princess - Just Look at That Garden

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/03/oh-princess-just-look-at-that-garden.html

Cutest Cupcake Contest

Martha's having a super cool cupcake contest next week and if you're crazy about cupcakes you won't want to miss it. She's got some of her favorite cupcake shops listed and I do too - they're below.

On Monday, Martha's sharing her her own recipe for coconut cupcakes. On Tuesday, celebrate April Fools' Day with a unique cupcake from cookbook author and baker Karen Tack.

On Wednesday, make the Meyer lemon raspberry cupcake. On Thursday, learn a recipe for chocolate graham cracker cupcakes with toasted marshmallows and adorable cupcake pops. On Friday, learn how to make Mexican chocolate-pudding-filled cupcakes.

Oh, yea - Sprinkles Cupcakes. Easy mix here.

Super cute Wilton Cupcake stand at Sur La Table.

I found this super cute cakespy here. This blogger's desert review is to die for. And her etsy store is much about cupcakes.

Maybe I should open up a cupcake shop and call it - let's see - Crazy about Cupcakes and Grandkiddos? Yeah, like in my spare time. Nice thought though.

Strawberry Cupcake - from Susie Cakes in Los Angeles. Visit http://www.susiecakesla.com/

Happy Cakes Bake Shop Cupcakes in Pasedena, CA. Visit http://www.violetcakes.com/

Happy Cakes Cupcakes in Denver -Visit http://www.happycakesdenver.com/


Martha's favorite cupcake from Swirls Cupcakes in West Belden, Chicago. Yum!

Buy this book now.

Buy this book now.

Cutest Cupcake Contest

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/03/cutest-cupcake-contest.html

I love this girl

I had a Nana day with Jillian Rose. We had breakfast at Wild Flower with Poppi, watched Enchanted then went SHOPPING! The gal at Verde Maison offered to give Jillian her first "make-over." Needless to say, she was delighted. Then, it was off to Justice and the Nordstrom Rack for a little shopping. In a little while, we're heading to Ivana's Ballet Recital. That should be a hoot and a half.

I love this girl

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/03/i-love-this-girl.html

I love this guy

I love this guy

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/03/i-love-this-guy.html

Adding Drippers to Your Already Existing Drip System

Garden Guy (aka my strong, cute, amazing hubs) has been transforming a regular - ho hum looking back yard full of weeds with a little Bermuda grass into a Sanctuary Garden - full of beauty, color and food for our family.

Since we have an existing drip system on our property, my Garden Guy ventured into the task of adding drips into each garden box so that I don't have to include a watering schedule into my busy, daily routine. Until it's all set up and resolved (figuring out what plants need how much water), I do have to say that I am thoroughly enjoying the calm of watering and tending our Sanctuary Garden.

Patti of Gardengirltv.com was interested in our drip system and so I asked my GG to write a run down on his how to do it. So, in GG's own words, here's his how to do it:

Here are the tools you'll need to install drippers to your 1/2" plastic pipe. I'm new to this and I'm not sure about the wording, but you'll get the general idea:

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

The tool to make the hole, single fitting, "T" fitting, adjustable dripper, regular dripper,tubing holder stake.

This blue hole puncher is only about $3.50 @ Home Depot & it's worth getting.

Punch the hole and then . . .

. . . take the "T" fitting (above) or a fitting for a single drip. I'm using the "T" because I have so many drips to install . . .

. . . force the drip hose on to one end of the "T" fitting . . .

. . . measure the distance from the 1/2" tubing to the plant and cut the hose. Do the same to the other drip hose on the other end of the "T" (measure and cut) . . .

. . . place the second drip hose on the "T" and then . . .

. . . pop the "T" into the 1/2 inch tubing.

Then, add the type of dripper you desire - either a regular one or an adjustable dripper. The dripper in this picture is a regular one (with green top). What I added to the dripper (not shown in this picture) was the "tubing holder stakes" These allow you to place the drip in the most efficient place.

Adding Drippers to Your Already Existing Drip System

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/03/adding-drippers-to-your-already.html

Garden Delights for Mom

It's been such fun to watch my Garden Guy create beauty from the dirt in our yard. With The Simple Home philosophy, he's creating Garden Sanctuary. These are lovely touches for our garden - on sale at Kohls.

Garden Delights for Mom

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/03/garden-delights-for-mom.html

Thinking Mother's Day ~ Already

Mommy~dom gifts that are super cool. Love them! Mother's Day is May 11th.

Thinking Mother's Day ~ Already

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/03/thinking-mothers-day-already.html

Garden Delights for Kiddos

I'm thinking outside these days. I'm thinking garden and of course I'm thinking Garden Guy. These would be super cool for a section in my "secret garden" ~ don't ya think?

Garden Delights for Kiddos

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/03/garden-delights-for-kiddos.html

WOW! GardenGirlTV.com

Patti Moreno, The Garden Girl of www.GardenGirlTV.com, has been checking in on Garden Guy's as he's been creating sanctuary in his garden. What's super cool is that she's made mention of Garden Guy in her recent newsletter of March 2008.

Patti is a mentor and inspiration to many who are on the journey toward Urban Sustainable Living. Her story is fabulous and it was her raised beds video that gave my Garden Guy the instructions and inspiration. And, just the other night, one of my three-year old grandkiddos and I sat for about an hour and watched the video on raising chickens (I used to do that), five parts to indoor gardening, and live stock feeding.

She's got the greatest how - to videos that help you understand how to make a paradigm shift to Urban Sustainable Living. What's super cool is that Patti's got a spot with Farmers' Almanac TV.

Her website is "dedicated to informing and educating the world on methods for Urban Sustainable Living." What we love about Patti is her step by step - "you can do it" approach. We are so encouraged in this journey toward Urban Sustainable Living. Thanks Patti!

WOW! GardenGirlTV.com

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/03/wow-gardengirltvcom.html

Easter Brunch and Hostess Finds

I'd really intended to post this the week of Easter not the day after. But, as life has it, other priorities were in play. I love Easter - the beautiful-life giving message of hope, but also the fact that here in the Arizona desert we experience the fragrance of spring with all the citrus blossoming.

Another reason I love Easter is that Michael and I enjoy planning and hosting a family Easter Brunch that includes those who don't have family around them. True to my heart's form that's what happened yesterday. Twenty-four lovely people graced our life and our home for a - if I might say so myself - fantastic brunch and a good time connecting. Bridges were built.


I prepared some yummy dishes (if I say so myself - :-) ): Spinach Feta Tart, Stuffed French Toast (we devoured the left overs for breakfast), Martha Stewart's Lemon Cake, Red Roasted Rosemary Potatoes and a Black Bean and Yellow Rice Salad. I also served grilled asparagus, BBQ chicken and the salads, and shish kabobs that my daughter and friends brought made for a fantastic brunch. I have to say that Pami splurged on us and brought the most amazing shish kabobs from Baiz Market here in the Phoenix Valley. Amazing!

If you are looking for a fabulous something different to serve at a luncheon - try this:

Spinach Feta Tart

pastry for 1 single-crust pie -

2 eggs,

1 cup chopped fresh spinach,

1 cup ricotta cheese,

1/2 crumbled feta cheese,

1/4 cup milk,

2 tsp snipped fresh oregano or 3/4 tsp dried oregano crushed

2 TB. grated Parmesan red pepper, yellow pepper - (either one)

In the already done pie shell - place foil around the edges and bake it at 450 for 8 minutes. then, remove the foil and bake for about 5 minutes more or till golden. Remove from oven then reduce oven temperature to 325.

Mix in a mixing bowl - beat the eggs, stir in spinach, ricotta, the 1/2 cup feta, milk and oregano. sprinkle the pastry with Parmesan: top with egg mixture. bake in a 325 oven about 20 minutes (that can be done here) or until the knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

This is to die for:

Baked Stuffed French Toast by The Beach Rose Inn Bed and Breakfast
20 to 24 slices raisin bread

6 eggs2 cups half and half

2 cups milk

2 teasp. vanilla

1 cup sugar

dash of cinnamon

dash of nutmeg

Filling:

16 ounces of cream cheese

1 teasp. vanilla

2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

Arrange bread slices in a 13x9 baking pan that has been buttered. Sprinkle bread with cinnamon. Spread cream cheese mixture over bread. Layer with the remaining bread and cinnamon. Slowly pour egg mixture over the top until all the bread is soaked . Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350 F covered for approximately 40 minutes. Then uncover and bake for 20 minutes longer. Let stand 5-10 minutes before cutting. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar and serve with saute'ed apples or peaches and pure maple syrup.

Easter Brunch and Hostess Finds

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/03/easter-brunch-and-hostess-finds.html

Garden Dirt to Grass to Easter Egg Hunt

My Garden Guy's vision for green is sweet (especially here in the Phoenix Valley). As much as he (we) wanted our Bermuda grass to die, it seemed as if a nice "patch of green" was needed in this particular area of our garden.

Garden Guy and son-in-law Gerald got up at 5 a.m. and beat the rush at Home Depot this last Friday. Supposedly, delivery for sod is on Friday mornings and "everyone" rushes to get the sod.

So, being frugal or maybe it's being more competitive Garden Guy wanted to be first to "get the deal."

They were (first). No one else even showed up - or at least at 5:30 a.m. It's a lot of love to get up at an hour that many wonder if God's even up that early - to load sod with Garden Guy.

Thanks G! And, thanks for marrying our daughter.

I love our family. They're truly the best. Gerald's parents are included in my truly the best category.

Gerry and Luellen (of Salem, Washington) came to spend time with the grandkiddos and mixed in with trips to the park, p b & j's, reading books, talking about WWII and just hanging out, they so kindly added their hands to the tasks at hand.

We definitely felt some crunch time - as our goal was to create beauty for our Easter Brunch - which was only two days away.

Sod needed laid, pool retaining wall fence needed painting, patios hosed, BBQ cleaned, menus solidified, shopping lists created and food prepared - to serve about twenty four for Easter Brunch.

Friday. Progressing. Slowly yet steady. Clearing off two inches of garbage, weedy dirt.

Watering the first patch of freshly laid sod. Note the "junky weed stuff" next to the glove and rake. THAT'S what had to be dug out. This was taking place late Friday. Crunch time for Easter Brunch at our place. Ahhhh....

To the rescue - our other wonderful son-in-law, Mark. Mark helped here too. Gerald, Garden Guy and Mark. Aren't they a great bunch?

Surveying the land. Well, sorta.

There's just something manly about a real man in a white tee shirt soaked in sweat and dirt. Don't ya think?

Wow - accomplished. The sod down and everything else complete for the most awesome Easter Brunch with twenty-four people. And - the Egg Hunt - a success in a beautiful garden for the grandkiddos and us!

Garden Dirt to Grass to Easter Egg Hunt

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2008/03/garden-dirt-to-grass-to-easter-egg-hunt.html