Bits of This & That #10

Wow, we have almost come to the end of the year. Can you believe it? It has gone by so quickly. Perhaps it is true, what they say, time speeds up as you get older.

This is the last Bits post for 2022 as next Sunday is Christmas day and you all will be visiting and noshing and fest-ing, while I will be eating leftovers from the night before, lounging in pajamas while (hopefully) reading a new Stephen King book from Santa.

My shopping is done, gifts are wrapped and ready, much of the baking is done, as well. I am getting there! The renovators basically forgot about me the past two weeks, have done nothing, so I have started to clean up where I can and have put all their stuff in the laundry area. This weekend is all about finishing the baking and getting the house spic and span. I've hired a helper to come by next week to do all the high stuff and low stuff that I am unable to do. I am making Christmas happen this week despite the set backs with the renovators.

How cute is this, eh? I got the idea for this card display from HERE and these vintage looking free printable cards from HERE. I love these vintage cards so much that use them each for Christmas for all sorts of things, from gift tags to place holders at the table.

There are a bunch of us ladies in our cul-de-sac that get together once a month for coffee, treats, and a really good yak session. They had been doing this for years before I arrived, I am so thrilled that they invited me into the fold. For this last coffee date of the year, we all brought a baked treat so that the hostess would not have to do it all, the holidays are busy enough. I made this almond biscotti that went over really well!

I could not find my own favourite recipe but this one is super yummy. I added a bit extra vanilla extract but otherwise followed the recipe to a tee. To do it again, I might add a bit more lemon zest as I love a citrusy bite, but they went over a treat so really no need to change a thing! It is so fast and easy to make, I actually made two batches to have some at home, too.

Have you ever thought of making your own mustard? I love mustards, both the greens and the condiment. I just found this and cannot believe how easy it is to make! We can make our own gourmet mustards, you all!

Check out this super easy to make cheesy homemade herbed bread that you make from store bought dough!

Simple, Crafty Ideas

Fun and easy to make ideas for gifting or decorating, things you can make with the kids or grandkids.

This clay bowl that does not need a pottery wheel or kiln, not even an oven. Air dries and looks great! Love the metallic paint for that festive look but could be made with more earthy hues for every day use.

Make this awesome looking linen grocery/shopping bag with a flat bottom so things sit nicely in it!

Decorate your mantle, your wall, your hutch, whatever you like, with this cute paper gingerbread house garland.

https://hydrangeafarmhouse.com/christmas-in-the-potting-shed-2020/

Greenhouse/Growing Related Ideas...

I really miss my greenhouse and workshop right now for winter puttering, cannot wait till we get my fancy she-shed built (see the cute inspiration greenhouse above).

I have started going through my seeds but will leave the ordering until after Christmas. Hubby goes back to work on the 27th so making up a seeding plan will keep me busy after the bustle of the holidays is over.

Here is a grow list from a Zone 5 gardener who is much more organized than I am. The only lists I usually keep are about my tomatoes, hahaha, so you can see where my priorities lie, but check out her list for varieties and quantities that she is growing. I must admit that I have grown Kuroda carrots about 3 times and really did not like them at all, but maybe they prefer a colder zone than the Zone 7 I had at the last place? Anyway, I digress. My grow list will be very different than Susan's, as remember what I always say... Grow what you (your family) will eat! Do not waste garden space on things that you want hubby or the kids to eat (they won't), grow what you eat fresh, what stores well (freezes, dehydrates, preserves), and whatever helps lower your grocery bill.

Before I start ordering seeds, I am looking at any that need cold stratification. I will start those in the cold, unheated greenhouse some time in February. That gives me time to order in new growing supplies (seed trays, labels...) and is still 12 to 14 weeks before my last frost date. They will need a month or two of cold weather so sow your seeds earlier if your last frost is earlier than mine (mid to late May).

If you want to do this the lazy way (like I do-hah), just sow the seeds in damp soil in trays or pots, pop them out in the unheated winter greenhouse. They will start to grow once the weather warms up. As the temps rise, keep an eye on the trays to make sure they do not dry out.

Here is a list of plants that like cold stratification. I really want to start a ton of coneflowers as they are so expensive. I am limited here to varieties that are super cold hardy, but luckily have a few choices. I don't much care if they are all the same colour (purple) as this drought tolerant, long-blooming, pretty perennial is a bee and beneficial insect favourite. If you are wanting to start echinacea (coneflowers), make sure to check the zones and also keep in mind that many of the newer hybrids are sadly not very reliable, often end up being an annual, especially if you get one that is not zone hardy.

This cold stratification sowing is quite similar to 'Winter Sowing', which you can do with just about any seeds at all, not just cold hardy ones. It gets your veggies and flowers off to an easy start, you don't have to fuss with expensive lights and stands, pots, water, and all that stuff needed to grow indoors.

Tomatofest has a seed sale going on till January 2nd. They are one of my favourite seed suppliers for heirloom and dwarf tomatoes.

These results from Charles Dowdings No-Dig Bed versus a Dig Bed. Ten years worth of results! Want to read more about No-Dig? See his Facebook page here.

That is for me this week, all the interesting goodies that I found.

Our weather is very cold and frightful but is supposed to warm up for next weekend, which would be perfect timing : )

Wishing you all a lovely Sunday and week ahead ~ Tanja