December 2005

I hope this newsletter finds your shopping all finished, presents all wrapped and your feet propped up for a well deserved rest. But... for those of you who haven't quite finished your shopping here are a few ideas for your favorite gardener.

• Garden tote, basket, or watering can filled with great garden items: magazines, books, seeds, catalogs, gloves, tools, markers, note cards, journals, etc.
• Bulbs for forcing and a forcing vase. Experience the scents of spring in January.
• Give your family, or a family you know a gift that all can share. A birdfeeder, seeds, and a bird identification book will keep you and the kids busy. This is also a good gift for an older person. Add a journal to log birds who visited the feed, food they enjoy, time of day seen....
• Place a small live tree or poinsettia in a brown paper bag. Fold the bag down on the inside to the right height for the plant. Cinch with a 2-3" wide ribbon and tie a bow or knot. Water before giving the gift.

Dreaming of spring already? After the holidays start dreaming about next years garden. Gather up any garden magazines you have put aside and cut out the pictures of gardens you like. What do you want in your garden? Herbs, vegetables, flowers? How about fencing, structures, or garden seating?

Start a notebook with the pictures you like and the plants you will need.

A cold day inside is a great time to leaf through garden catalogs. I picked up the Herb Companion (Jan 2006) and Mother Earth's News (Jan 2006) last weekend. Both had articles on starting next years garden and had catalog listing for each area you live in. Go to the library and check out gardening books and look through their magazines.

P.S. Check out my ad in the Herb Companion, it is a group ad with Botanical Elements.

I remember when I was young, my grandfather always had to have black-eyed peas and turnip greens for New Years. This is an old southern tradition and my Mom and Dad still do this every year. I was looking for a good recipe for the newsletter, to bring you all luck and prosperity in 2006 when Paula Deen's Magazine came in the mail today. Good luck already and I haven't had one black eyed pea! (yuck). If you like good southern cooking, check out Cooking with Paula Dean http://www.pauladeanmagazine.com

Spicy Black-Eyed Peas (for good luck in the coming new year)
Serves 8

4 slices bacon
1 medium onion, chopped
1 16 oz package dried black eye peas, washed
1 12 oz can diced tomatoes and green chiles
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup water

In a large saucepan, cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon, crumble and set aside to use as topping for peas. Saute onion in bacon drippings until tender. Add peas, diced tomatoes and green chilies, salt, chili powder, pepper and water. Cook covered, over medium heat, for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until peas are tender. Add additional water if necessary.

Turnip Greens (to bring you prosperity)

1 ham hock
4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
2 (1 pound) packages prewashed fresh turnip greens
1 teaspoon sugar

In a large stockpot, combine ham hock, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Add turnip greens and sugar. Cook, without stirring, for 20 to 30 minutes or until greens are tender.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Until next year,
Karen
Gardenchick.com