Chaste Tree and Plant Links

When giving away plants from my garden, I am often asked what to do with them.  Below are some tip links to growing plants I have success with in North Texas.

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How to Grow and Care for Chaste Tree - will grow just about anywhere, unfortunately is reseeds easily but fortunately mulching a large area around the tree or mowing over the new shoots often will kill the baby trees.  Is deciduous so loses foliage over winter and looks dead, so just wait for it to sprout again, when newly spriting is best time to fertilize with Tree and Shrub Protect and Feed (on Amazon).

Planting and Dividing Bearded Iris Corms - easiest to plant and grow!

How to Grow Elephant Ears - the giant version is easy grow and less fuss than you might think.  If growing in the ground, leave dead foliage over the winter and cut off after no longer chance of frost, it will have mushy top but it will dry out and then produce new foliage. If growing in pots, move inside house or garage for winter, digging out of pot is ok but not required.

Edible Parts of Turk's Cap Plant - quick spreading summer blooming plant with fall berries that taste like firm plums, this plant requires some sun to bloom and regular watering to prevent leaf wilting.

Flowering Groundcover Oxalis - spreads quickly in sun or shade.

How to Grow 4'O'Clocks - nice bushy plant with red, yellow, pink, or white flowers that are open late in the day through early morning, seeds can be bought in most stores in the spring for annual growth or where plants grow as perennials digging and moving tuber root can help them fill-in empty spaces.  

Dividing and Planting Daylilies - another easy plant and great mixed with iris as they bloom after iris stops blooming. 

How to Grow and Care for Night Salvia/Sage - spreads quickly via seeds and runner roots so it can be invasive, however it is easilu pulled up if it grows where unwanted.  Consider for a wild garden or to keep in containers.

Sharing and Planting Milk and Wine Crinum Lilies - big plant with big blooms!

How to Grow Mexican Petunia (Tall Ruella) - this is a drought tolerant flower once it gets started, the more sun it gets the blooms you get summer through fall .  The standard tall version of Ruella is easy to grow and spreads like wildflowers. The shorter dwarf  Ruella version makes a great border edging plant, however it can spread outside the border as everywhere a flower drops it will plant a seed to start another tiny plant, so if you see the slender dark leaves coming up - pull it up easily while it is still small.  Most Ruella loves the sun and has thin, long, shiny leaves.  However there is also a groundcover version with fuzzy leaves that likes to grow under shade trees so it does not spread as quickly, plus a bush version (which looks similar to the potato bush popular in Texas) that is popular in California.

Remembering Good Times with Favorite Uncle

I spent more time with Uncle L.C than any of my other uncles.  Some of that time was because he was my Dad's brother and his wife was my Mothers's sister - so we saw each other at both family events.  But I also spent many weekends at his house playing why his daughters, so I saw him in a different way than at big family gatherings.  He was not always home the entire time, because he was either working with his brothers, helping someone else, doing stuff for the church or off with his brothers doing something fun. 

However, Uncle L.C. always seemed to be there for breakfast.  Some weeknd mornings L.C. made us breakfast, others my Aunt Joann made it, and a few times we made our own bowls of cereal.  On Saturdays, we typically had breakfast in our pajamas laughing like crazy at L.C. jokes.  When his girls left the table to do theirmorning chores or get dressed, I either helped with the chores or moved closer to Uncle L.C. at the table.  He was one of the few male adults who actully talked to me instead of around me.  I think that is what made him my favorite uncle.  Although I was more shy as a child than I am now; I was ok with him doing most of the talking, giving advice, joking, and me only talking if he asked a direct question.  On Sundays, I often got to repeat some time with L.C. because I jumped up and got dressed before breakfast because my parents told me I should never be the reason my Uncle's family was late to church.  Since we all went to the same church, I went home with my parents after church.

I am sure there were many other good times I could expound on.  Like camping trips, riding motorbikes, theme parks, ice capade shows, Shakeys pizza, and more - the main memory is a life giving out love and laughter. We will miss him...

I want to say something about weekends with Aunt Joann too.  When I helped her girls with their few room cleaning or dishwashing chores, we all got complimented on the excellent work cleaning up.  Sometimes our reward was even ice cream in the midde of the day!  She was and still is my most stylish aunt.  Joann always knew the latest fashions and whatever she chose to wear looked good on her.  She was such a  great seamstress too!  In addition to buying from boutique stores, she made some of hers and her daughters clothes.  My Mom envied her matching girls outfits at Easter.  I was always thrilled to get hand-me-downs from my cousins as the dresses were usually still in style and often looked new.  Like her many sisters, she is a great example of God's love to everyone.  

I promised in my first uncle post I would tell the other thing I remember about the day working at Uncle J.W.'s.  After the work was done, we kids all piled into the cab of Daddy's truck.  On the way home he told us "Kids, I'm proud of how you all acted today.  My brothers said you all worked hard and did whatever you were told the first time without complaining or anything.  Also, they said you had the best manners of any kids they have ever seen.  I wanted you to know that they were bragging on you to me." This was unusaul as when we were younger, my Dad was more about correction than compliments.  The boys were so thrilled with his words that as soon as we got home they ran into the house and all tried at once to tell Mom everything Dad had said.  It seemed the lessons of please, thank you, your welcome, and chewing with your mouth closed were worth the trouble afterall.  After seeing how we reacted, Dad began giving more "good job" compliments when we did something well.  Dad also taught my brothers that they are supposed to open doors to let girls go first, if walking with a girl the boy goes on the side of the road to protect her from anything that might happen, and NEVER hit a girl.

Remembering a Conversation with Favorite Uncle

We had a memorial service for my favorite uncle over the weekend.  He was the last of his siblings to go to pass away.  A few there shared what he meant to them.  At home, I was remembering two things that happened one day when he and his brothers were working on one of their houses.

My Dad had insisted I come along with him and my brothers to work at Uncle J.W.'s house although I had a book report to read for a school report.  The boys would be outside running to get things for the men as they worked.  Since I had a book to read, my job was to sit inside and read when not fetching for everyone who  knocked on the backdoor to ask for a glass of water, refill of coffee mug, or a snack of one of the cookies my mom baked the day before.  Around noon, my Dad went to get everyone lunch and he took the boys to help carry the food.

I had been sitting near the door for fetching duty, so moved to the far end of the table to continue reading before lunch.  Two of my uncles sat on the other end of the table with their mugs of coffee.  It seemed to be an unwritten rule that if sitting at the table, the men in that family had to have a hot mug of coffee in front of each of them whether or not they drank any of it.  Anyway, they were arguing about something while I was reading and not listening to them.  Somehow, they determine that ten-year-old me could decide the truth for them.  Here is how I remember the conversation going.

"Girl, you tell us which of us is the best man?"  I do not remember which uncle started the conversation.  

"What do you mean best?" was my reply.

"Who is the best uncle? I know you will say me and not him." said Uncle L.C.

"No she will pick me! Everybody likes me more." said Uncle J.W.

I thought a couple of seconds and said, "Well L.C. is my favorite uncle."  Which resulting in L.C laughing and puffing out his chest.  

"What about me?  I'm not your best uncle?" asked J.W.

"Your my handsome uncle." I replied.  Which made J.W. laugh and L.C. look shocked.

L.C. then responded "You think he is better looking than me.  How could you say that?"

In my ultimate age ten wisdom, I offered this logic "Well you both have good hair and nice faces.  L.C. has more muscles, but Johnny is younger."

They both lauged and L.C. said "Being younger don't make him better looking, but you're right I am strongest."  

That was the end of the conversation as my Dad arrived with the food.  I am sure I never really said who was the better man.  But if I had been asked who was the strongest of all their brothers, I would have said my Dad.  After all,  I had seen him lift up the back-end of a car all by himself so another guy could crawl under it to remove something stuck underneath that the car had been dragging.  

One thing I do know is that conversation resulted in a fun way for those two uncles to end any mild argument.  For years aferwards at least into my teenage years, I would sometimes hear them end a slight disagreement in a unique way. 

Uncle J.W. with a grinn on his face arguing "I'm the best-looking brother."  

To which L.C. would not exactly acknowledge his words by saying "Maybe, but I'm stronger." Then he would chuckle.

With the conversation and reminiscing this post got a little long, so I will explain why I think he was my favorite uncle and the second thing from that day that I remember in second uncle post.

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Quick Caramel Pie Recipe

 The gooey pie below may be served with or without a topping.  For pie topping, use whipped cream or cool whip spread on the entire chilled pie or add a dollup onto of each slice.  Another topping option could be chopped pecans sprinkled over top of caramel, mini chocolate chips instead of or along with pecans, or simply a little powdered sugar sifted on top.  A few recipes use pre-baked crust or graham cracker crust instead, but this requires cooking the ingredients together until it thickens and then pouring into crust, then immediately chilling for 4 hours or more to set the caramel filling.

Quick Caramel Pie

Ingredients:

1 cup milk 
4 Tablespoons flour 
1 cup brown sugar 
3 Tablespoons butter 
1 teaspoon vanilla 
1 egg, beaten
8-inch pie/pastry shell 

Steps:

1. In saucepan on low heat, melt sugar and butter together. 
2. Add milk and flour until caramel colored and slightly thickens.
3. Remove from heat, add vanilla and egg.
4. Pour filling into pie shell, spread evenly, and bake at 350 degrees until edges of shell are golden or according to pie crust recommendations.
5. If pie does not set as desired for slicing, chill it before serving.

For a cool creamy caramel pie, try Easy Caramel Pie made with cream cheese and prepared caramel sauce or the decadent no-bake version QuickCaramel Pie.  If 2 pies are desired without doubling recipes, consider making Southern Brown Sugar Pie instead.

Glynda's Graham Cracker Treats - An Easy Dessert Recipe for Kids

 I try to include a few recipe ideas or activities for children at the holidays or during the summer break.  In the below recipe older kids can help by breaking up graham crackers and lining them up on the pan.  They can also help with measuring and mixing ingredients.

To see more kids recipes, check out blog posts Kid's Dessert Ideas, Easy Decorated Cookies, and My First Cookbook. 

Glynda's Graham Cracker Treats 

Ingredients:

1 package out of a box of graham crackers.
1 stick oleo/margarine
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup pecans, coursely chopped or broken

Steps:

1. Lay graham crackers broken into fourths side-by-side on cookie sheet lined with foil.
2. Melt oleo in sauce pan.  Add in brown sugar.  Stirring constantly, cook over medium-low heat for 2 minutes or until it begins to thicken.
3. Remove from heat.  Add pecans.  Stir until very thick.
4. Spread on top of graham crackers.
5. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
6. Cool and remove while still warmish or they will stick to foil.
7. Treats will harden when cold.

 For other types of children's activities besides cooking, see posts Summertime Activity Kits and Flower Motif Mats.  

Groundcover Oxalis, Lucky Shamrock, or Wood Sorrell?

 Great greenery with common groundcover "Oxalis." It is a wonderful semi-tropical plant for most areas in the Southern garden including places where nothing seems to grow.  Oxalis can grow in sunny or part-shade spots.  It will produce green leaves and flowers most of the year, while creating a natural weed blocking blanket.  In very cold temperatures, it will still have green leaves but no flowers.  If under snow and ice for three days or more the leaves will turn black, however in about 2 weeks  the black will be replaced by new green leaves.  In states where the daytime Summer temperatures can get hot, such as the high eighties or more, the leaves will disappear as the plant goes dormant in exteme heat or drought.  Since the groundcover is will disappear in heat or during drought conditions, consider mulching or growing another groundcover that does well in hot zones.  During the coolish/warmish temperatures of Spring and Fall, Oxalis will produce tiny pink or white flowers.

Good luck plant since the leaves look similar to clover,  During March, Oxalis plants are often sold in cute planters as "Lucky Shamrock," or "Giant Shamrock" for Patrick's Day houseplants.  Purple leave varieties also exist, but they are not as hardy as the green and do not have as fast of groundcover growth rate.  There are also variegated leaf options and larger flowering options of Oxalis available in some areas.  Many of  these plants may also be sold under the name "Wood Sorrell" since that is the plant species. 

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Sinple spreading Oxalis is a bulb-based plant, so it is easy to start with a few plants to eventually cover a larger area.  Simply dig up the mounding clump the next year it comes up and there will be lots of little bulbs along the root to divide for new plants.  Remove any greenery still on the bulb balls because leaves disappear for awhile after replanting or leaves can mold if storing bulbs to plant later.  Bulbs can be stored for months in a paper bag and will still produce plants even if they dry out somewhat, unlike most other bulbs.  Separate the bulbs from each other by tearing them apart where they are grown together strung along a base root.  The ballish bulbs may be as big as 1-inch or as small as 1/4" to reproduce.   

Involve kids as children may have fun helping replant the bulbs after an adult has dug and divided them.  Simply give a school-age child a bag, bowl, or bucket of bulbs and show them how to push the balls into soft or damp ground until they are covered over with soil. No new hole digging needed!  Since each Oxalis plant will have a mounding habit of up to 6-inches high and a diameter of about 8-inches (4" each direction from bulb), the child can use their foot to measure a distance for each ball to be placed apart by putting their heal over the last one pushed in and then pushing the next ball into the ground in front of their toes!  Tell them a pattern to make, such as straight line, zig-zag, or circle rippling out from center.  Then just wait until the plants start popping up and remind them they did the planting.  

Warnig! Do NOT let kids or pets chew on or eat the bulbs, leaves, seeds, or flowers of any Wood Sorrell  plants.  They are pretty, yet toxic if ingested.  However, toxicity does not stop deer, rabbits, and other animals from snacking on the plants when no other greenery is available.  I have never had a sensitivity issue with the bulb variety, but others might so consider that when choosing to plant.  Also note that in some states seed-bearing (not bulbs) Wood Sorrell is considered a weed because of its quick spreading and disease/pest resistant nature.   

Cornbread Salad Recipe for Pot-Lucks and Picnics

 Below is my aunts recipe for cornbread salad.  Everyone who has tried it loves it.  Give it a try at a summer potluck or spring/fall picnic.  Although this recipe does not include bacon, beans, cheese, corn, nuts or onions; some other southern version do include one of these options too.  So feel free to add or substitute to make a personalized version of cornbread salad. 

Cornbread Salad

Ingredients:
1 pan cornbread (baked and cooled in advance), crumbled
1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 bunch green ones, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
2 medium-size firm tomatoes, cut-up
1 pint Hellman's mayonnaise

Steps:

1. Mix all ingredients well in a large bowl.
2. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

Easy Peach or Cherry Dessert Recipe

Looking for an easy dessert that does not require you to be in a hot kitchen for a long time?  Try the dump-cake-style dessert that you can make in advance to serve as is or topped with whipped cream.  Or for a summer treat, serve it while still warm from the oven topped with a scoop of ice cream!

Easy Peach or Cherry Dessert

Ingredients: 

1 can cherries or peaches 
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
1 box white or yellow cake mix
1 stick of butter

Steps:

1. Pour fruit into cake pan.
2. Sprinkle sugar & cake mix over fruit, pat down good,
3. Melt butter. Then and pour over mixture.
4. Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

For other quick summer dessert recipes, see our cake or cobbler recipe links at the bottom of the old-fashioned choices on post It's Fruit Cobbler Season!   

From Brokenhearted to Healed Soul: Hearing Whispers Book Review

 The book Hearing Whispers (Amazon ad) by Tracy Wainwrigth is one of those books that are hard to put down.  As each chapter in the main character's (Sarah) life is completed, you want to go on to the next to find out what happens to her.  Will she get over the  broken heart that grew out of disappointment of two men from her youth and childhood?  This is a story of a woman who is just starting her adult life and a new career.  She must learn to trust others again and move forward to the person she is meant to be.   Not t give too much away, but Sarah finds a new love not only in a man, but in her redeeming God.  

Tracy Wainwright's writing style is easy-to-read and her storytelling is interesting.  Hearing Whispers will get you personally involved with Sarah's journey.  Although I will not tell you too much of the story, as it can spoil the readers fun, I can highly recommend adding this book to your reading list this summer.  This book will take you through Sarah moving from bitterness to a healed soul that is open to experiencing new friendships and true love, as well as growing in a spiritual relationship with God.  I give it 5 stars!

Spoiler alert! Within the love story of Hearing Whispers, another mystery of an unknown sister is also introduced.  Will the mystery of the lost sister be resolved in the the next book Open Arms or will readers have to keep wondering how that part of the story plays out until a future release in the series?  Find out about more about the book series on The God Bless Girl blog.

Stacking Jewelry Tips and Tricks

Some say jewelry stacking is a way to show your own personal style.  Others say it was started by jewelers to make people think "more is more" is better than tradition.  However, most agree stacking jewelry is a trend that is not going anywhere any time soon.  

How do you make a good stack without creating a bad look?  The correct answer depends on your personal preferences.  Some people like it neat, wheas others find the boho or messy look more their styel.  Tips for wearing Layering Necklaces for Elegant or Messy Looks.  Bracelet stacking is usually done by type:  lots of bangles or wraps, rows of stretchy beads or pearls, multiple chains with tennis or bolo style.  Cuff bracelets usually stand-alone because they are larger, but very petite ones may be mixed with chains the same way a bolo can be.  Ring stacking is the oldest style trick, which usually is a series of band rings or simple solitaries mixed in on a few fingers (see 15-mins video below for tips) either up a couple of fingers or smaller sets stacked across the hand.  Large cocktail rings are not stacked on the same finger and too many statement rings on a hand can look tacky instead of stylish.  Stacking earring is another trend that has been around for whiel due to multiple piercings.  Usually the stack has one or more small hoop mixed with studs in the other piercings, however dangle style earrings may replace the hoop(s).   Typically oversized hoops or dangles should only appear in the lowest piercing with a series of studs in the others.  Finally, the trend of stacking brooches on hats and caps is back in style. Brooches or pins may also be artistically arranged on handbags or backpacks.

What are the rules for stacking rings, necklaces, earrings, or bracelets? Once upon a time the rule was keep all your metal colors or other bead/bangle types the same.  Then that rule changed to mix metals but keep the color of the gems or enameling the same a few years ago.  Now there is no real rules, except there is the suggestion to not overstack.  For instance if you do a big bracelet stack, use less rings on the finger or necklaces around the neck.  If you are big into cocktail rings or multiple rings stacked, wear leass bracelets and it is ok to wear more around the neckline.  The main idea is to not look over-done but keep true to your personal style and your favorite looks or colors.  Mix textures, links, and tones to make things more interesting ,without getting too clunky.

Get adventerous with your jewelry!  This will give you more options for the investment you have made in your purchases.  Test multiple stacking looks with your wardrobe to find your preferred style.  For more ideas on stacking, check out Standard Style article 6 Jewelry Trends That Are Out and The Styles To Invest In Now.