The garden is fairly quiet right now. Hydrangeas are wrapping up - though there are still fresh blooms, which is unusual this time of year. I think it is all the climate confusion. We are all experiencing it in different ways.
To liven up the landscaping, I love to add a cornucopia of pumpkins, gourds and mums to our front entry. The photo above is from a few years back and is one of my favorite displays. I will also be adding pumpkins to the window boxes to mingle with the existing geraniums and ivy, which usually make it to November. Every year, I change it up and that's half the fun!
On the tulip front, we had a hiccup with the sweet, pink ones (Angelique) we normally plant in the back garden. Apparently, there has been a problem with the growers, so we were unable to order them. We decided to go with another pink, doubletulip (Finola) from Roozengaarde in the Skagit Valley of Washington and I'm excited to see how they turn out. The tulip bulbs will probably be planted after Halloween, as they were last year.
Next month, I'll share the process of planting!!
It's Sweater Season!
Sweater Care 101
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Fill your sink with cold water and a small amount of detergent
Swish sweater around and let sit for less than 30 minutes
Empty sink and refill with cold water
Swish sweater, pressing it against the sink, not twisting
Empty sink again and rinse until suds are gone
Gently press sweater against sink to remove excess water
Lay sweater on a thick towel and roll it up like a yoga mat
Remove sweater and lay on a fresh towel
After a few hours, flip the sweater over on a new, dry towel
Steam your sweater if needed, avoiding any embellishment
Fold to store
Enjoy for years!!
Charcuterie Step by Step
Use the best quality ingredients available.
Include a variety of cheeses: a creamy brie, an aged Gouda and creamy tangy goat cheese.
Next, add the meats. Two meats are a nice complement to 3 cheeses. Most people love a freshly sliced Prosciutto de Parma and a spicy Calabrese salami.
Complement every board….use seasonal fresh and dried fruit. For fall, fresh and dried apples are always nice. Be sure to put some lemon juice on your apples so they don’t brown.
Add a sweet like caramelized walnuts, or for a different flavor add smoked almonds.
Don’t be afraid to be creative!
Fall brings its own cornucopia of options… pumpkins, gourds, and beautiful foliage.
For more inspiration, visit:
@StephaniesKitchenCounter
Halloween orders need to be placed by Oct 20th
There will be an order form for Thanksgiving and Christmas
Follow Stephanie for updates and preorder release dates.
