Grandmas, Gracie and Gladiolus

Garden & Gracie

"Here's to Dogs and Digging"

Tall, swordlike green stalks with pink and burgundy flowers are gladiolus.

Before I get to the gist of this post, I need to share how I'm feeling. Pretty crappy. I'm tired, angry, just kind of blah...you've had those days, right? It's in the low 70s so I decide to go for a walk. A mindful walk, where I am slooowly walking and feeling the way my feet settle into my flip-flops...hearing the birds and wind...noticing things about the yards I have passed for ten years that I haven't noticed before. Slowly, the heat and heaviness from my head settle into the rocking motion of my movement, and I can feel my breath deepen. My muscle tension eases and the NOW becomes a bit less stressful.

I pull out the laptop and click on the Google + icon showing "1" message. I click on it, having no idea what to expect. Somehow, Google created a movie with a Christmas video (which I didn't even think was downloaded onto here). I sit, looking at the sleepy faces of my children, full of surprise, who look so different, now that they're grown...and whose sweetness has become more complex as they're maturing as teenagers. And then IT happens....my Modo - my sweet grandmother, my best friend on earth, the one person who really made my world 100 times bigger and brighter and yet 100% more intimate and cozier - appears. And THERE SHE IS...her last Christmas in physical form and she is sitting in the exact same spot where I have plopped down to write this post.

I cry. Of course. And cry some more because sometimes you don't realize how much you miss someone until you see them again.  This post is dedicated to you, Modo! ILYVM! And she would appreciate this because she loved flowers.

Okay, now to gladiolus and Gracie...

Remember how Gracie had Jay over last week. Well, the week before that my mom, aka "Gma from Alabama," was visiting. It's a long story, but my mom lived within 2 hours of us for the past 14 years, since my son was born.  And she was, in my mind and heart, as integral to our family as both my husband and I. With her here, we were a three legged stool from Ikea (that's just the image that I always associate with it, no logic) and now we are two legged and well, unless balanced very gently, a two legged stool doesn't offer much support. (You following the metaphor???)

But back to my mom. On her short, lovely visit she got some love from Gracie. Actually, Gracie got some love from my mom - called 'ssages - pronounced (sah jeez). And Gracie always appreciates them.

Gracie and Gma! This will go on as long as Gma allows for it to.

Gracie's spoiled. In fact, when Gma is here she sleeps right on the couch with her instead of spooned against my husband's calf.

Now, while Gracie is cute...gladiolus are beautiful! They are a bulb, planted in spring after all danger of frost has passed. In our zone, they typically bloom in July and last for a few weeks. Their long and slender stalks get about 3 feet tall, which is why it's important to plant the bulbs about 3 to 4 inches deep. Otherwise, you end up with stalks that droop and don't really support the flowers. Many directions will recommend spacing the bulbs, but I have always had success digging a trough-shaped hole and placing the bulbs right next to each other. It creates a fuller look. Gladiolus are common cut flowers. They do best in well-drained soil and a bright, sunny spot.

See the top photo to view stalk. These are bloom close-ups. 

I hope this inspires you to take a walk when stressed; have a cry when remembering a loved one; take photos of your cute pet, and consider adding gladiolus to your garden.

Please SHARE YOUR COMMENTS about any of this with me. Would love to hear from you! 

Here is some further information on gladiolus:  https://www.garden.org/articles/articles.php?q=show&id=2064

Until next time...

Mom's Mean Meatloaf

with roasted red-skinned potatoes and asparagus

Voila! Mom's Mean Meatloaf with Roasted Red-Skinned Potatoes and Roasted Asparagus

It is becoming meatloaf weather in Maryland, and one of the dishes that makes everyone happy is my meatloaf. Served with roasted potatoes and roasted asparagus, this makes a satisfying and healthy comfort meal.

What You Need:

1.3 lb ground beef or turkey
1 egg
3/4 tsp minced garlic
1/3 cup favorite croutons, crushed
2 T parmesan cheese
1 tsp italian spices
1/2 cup ketchup
3 tsp brown sugar

Red-skinned potatoes
olive oil
garlic salt

Fresh asparagus
olive oil
salt 
pepper

How To Prepare:

Preheat oven to 350. Put ground meat, egg, garlic, cheese and spices into mixing bowl. Put croutons into blender and grind until crushed. Pour croutons into mixture. Mix together thoroughly with hands. Place into a loaf pan and press firmly. Mix ketchup and sugar in separate bowl. Pour onto meatloaf and spread. Cover meatloaf with foil and bake for approximately 45 minutes. 

Everything's in and ready for your hands!

Set oven to 450, remove foil and bake until some of the ketchup is caramelized. Can also use broiler.

While meatloaf is cooking, wash and dry potatoes. Drizzle with olive oil and rub with garlic salt. Place on pan covered with foil. Cut off ends of asparagus. Rinse, pat dry, and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.

Ready for Oven.

Place potatoes and asparagus into 450 degree oven. Frequently, use a fork to separate and move asparagus around, like you would on a grill,  so bottom side doesn't burn. 

Remove asparagus when you prefer. If you like them crispier and charred, let them stay in longer. If you prefer them more "al dente" then remove earlier. Usually, I leave them in for about 30 minutes. Remove potatoes when you can insert fork all the way through. Skin should be crispy.

Plate and enjoy!!!

Other Options:
To make this gluten-free, all you have to do is use some kind of GF cracker, pretzel, or toasted bread that is already seasoned. When I don't have croutons, I'll use Cheez-Its, goldfish, cornmeal (that requires added spice because it's unflavored), etc. You can't go wrong!

Garden & Gracie

"Here's to Dogs and Digging"

Last week, you met our Jack Russell, Gracie, and learned about Russian Sage. This week, it's all about Gladiolas and Gracie's friend, Jay.

Jay is an 8 month old Goldendoodle. He belongs to our friends, the Park family. Last Thursday, they were feasting in traditional Korean style - which meant they would be seated on the ground with a table about coffee table height. This, obviously, would pose a problem if you have a rambunctious puppy who wants to get your food. So, my lovely daughter had the honor of dogsitting; which meant for 3 hours we had to figure out how to keep our 9 year old Gracie from tearing youthful Jay's sweet face off.

Meet Jay:

Jay, actually sitting still for a moment.

Now, for the first 30 minutes Gracie was peachy keen to have Jay over. She sprinted around the yard like her slender and spry former self. But then, it was this...

I'm pooped. Yes, I'll check you out one more time...sigh

And then the final 2 hours were spent with Jay pining away downstairs, while Gracie was upstairs doing this...

Finally, sleep!

Ah, the dog's life! Happy Monday everyone. Yes, we were supposed to get to Glads, but that face is just too cute not to end on. 

Until next time...

Kid Friendly, Quick and Easy Chicken Pot Pie

Scratchless Chicken Pot Pie

Y'all know my favorite place to be is NOT IN THE KITCHEN! However, I have to be, often enough, so I might as well cook something that BOTH of the kids like and is relatively healthy, easy, and budget-friendly. Scratchless Chicken Pot Pie is just that. Scatchless simply means, NOT FROM SCRATCH! However, if you have a family recipe for pie crust that you want to use, please feel free.

Here it is! Hot out of the oven. My 14 year old son has already eaten 2/3 in 10 minutes. Mom success!

What You Will Need:

How To Prepare:

Open your frozen pie crusts and separate the two, letting them thaw for about 15 minutes.
Take five of the chicken breast tenderloins and boil them for about 10 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375.
Put your frozen vegetables (I used about 3/4 of the bag) in a bowl with water and microwave for about 8 minutes. Drain water.
Cut up chicken and add to bowl.
Add vegetables, cream of chicken soup, a dash of milk and stir together.
Pour the mix into one of the pie crusts and top with parmesan cheese.

Here's what you have so far:

Almost ready for the oven!

Take second pie crust and lie on top of this one. Cut off the excess. Put slits in top of crust.

Bake for 45 minutes at 375 degrees.

Final Step:

Let cool and settle or feed immediately to the ravenous kids. This literally is one of the few meals my kids are waiting to eat. I feel so good about myself on these days...I feel like a productive and nurturing mom. It's a nice balance to the frequent complaints and comparisons I get to moms who "supposedly" cook better. 

Enjoy with a crisp, cool salad! Let me know how it turns out. And, of course, you can adapt this hundreds of ways...but here's a yummy place to start.

monicawrites: Garden & Gracie"Here's to Dogs and Digging"Have y...

monicawrites: Garden & Gracie"Here's to Dogs and Digging"
Have y...: Garden & Gracie "Here's to Dogs and Digging" Have you heard of the magazine, Garden and Gun  (  http//:www.gardenan...

Garden & Gracie

"Here's to Dogs and Digging"

Have you heard of the magazine, Garden and Gun ( http//:www.gardenandgun.com) ? It's a niche publication highlighting the best of the south. A friend, with a popular blog, has "Meow Mondays" and it's a hit. I don't have cats and don't really like them - however, I do have a dog and I love playing in the dirt. (However, I don't like when my dog plays in the dirt.) So why not have a series on this blog featuring my family's lovely Jack Russell, Gracie, and the many plants, flowers and trees in my garden....and all things garden-related.

Here's to smart gardening and cute dogs!

Russian Sage

Russian Sage (Persovskia atriplicifolia) is a wonderful plant to have in your garden for many reasons. First, it's drought tolerant, which means it's hardy. Plant in full sun and if it's in the ground, versus a pot, you most likely will never have to water it....I have never watered mine. Secondly, it's a perennial, which means it will continue to bloom each year from spring into autumn and you don't have to do a thing but get excited when the beautiful purplish-blue blooms emerge annually. Third, it attracts bumblebees, butterflies and other beautiful creatures to your yard. And finally, it's long and slender stalk and silvery green leaves accent other flowers, shrubs and plants in your garden.

Yes, there it is in all its glory. I've had to tie mine to the fence so pedestrians can use the sidewalk. But you see what a nice, flowing effect it has.

Fall is the perfect time to plant. You can easily get a gallon size of this plant for around $15. Place it in the soil, water and let it delight you for years to come. 

And yes, now for Gracie. She delights....sometimes. Most of the time, since I tend to be the one primarily home, she's begging for me to throw the ball. But when she sleeps, she's awfully cute. Enjoy!

Why yes, why not use a pillow when I can?

My favorite toy which really annoys mommy.....ha ha ha ha ha!

Thanks for joining me. Enjoy your day. Hope something in here either inspires you or makes you smile or at least distract you for a moment! Please share with friends....Gracie is NOT MODEST.