Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Make a Wooden Flower Press


" God Bless the U.S.A. "
Lee Greenwood


If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife,
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, 
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L.A.
  There's pride in every American heart and it's time we stand and say:
I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, 
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land 
God Bless the U.S.A.



TODAY'S SEEDS OF WISDOM

  • JUST BLOOMED TODAY
  • GARDEN UPDATE
  • MAKE A WOODEN FLOWER PRESS #RA02
  • FAUNA
  • GARDEN GIGGLE
  • GARDEN GAMES
  • GARDEN GOODIES~SHARE OUR GARDEN RECIPE #0022 CHEESY SPINACH AND BACON DIP
  • FEEDBACK
JUST BLOOMED TODAY

Baby Topsy Turvey Tomato

GARDEN UPDATE
Going to rain tomorrow. The Orange Show starts Friday at noon. Be prepared!


Coolish today, in the 70's. Kinda windy, too but still happily, cheerily sunshiney. First baby tomato poked its head out (see above) and many more to follow.
#RA02 MAKE A WOODEN FLOWER PRESS

Yesterday we promised that we would share with you how to make a wooden flower press. Pretty easy to make, so make an extra one for a giveaway gift for your favorite gardener...they will love it!





Materials List:
QUANTITY
LETTER
NAME
SIZE
MATERIAL
1
A
Top Board
1/2" x 7" x 8"
Plywood
1
B
Bottom Board
1/2" x 7 x 8"
Plywood
4
C
Corrugated Board
7" x 8"
Cardboard
4
D
Blotter
7" x 8"
Paper
4
E
Carriage Bolts
5/16" x 4"
Paper
4
F
Flat Washers
3/8"
Steel
4
G
Wing Nuts
5/16"
Steel



B. Cutting Procedure:

Use table saw to cut top board (A) and bottom board (B) to proper dimensions.
Mark centers for corner holes for top board (A) and bottom board (B) 3/4" in from each edge.
Use hand drill or drill press and 3/8" drill bit to drill holes through boards (A) and (B) at centers.
Use a disk sander or sand paper to sand corner rounds for board (A) and (B).
Use box cutter or utility knife to cut corrugated boards (C) to proper dimensions.
Use scissors to cut blotter papers (D) to proper dimensions.
Drill 3/8" holes through each corner of corrugated boards (C) and blotter papers (D) to match holes in top and bottom boards (A) and (B).
Use scissors or utility knife to round corners of corrugated boards (C) and blotter papers (D) to match rounded corners of top and bottom boards (A) and (B).
Hand sand corner edges of top and bottom boards (A) and (B) using 120 grit sandpaper.

C. Assembly Procedure:

Insert bolts (E) through bottom board (B).
Place one corrugated board (C) on top of bottom board (B).
Place a blotter paper (D) on top of corrugated board (C).
Place flowers, leaves, etc to be pressed on the blotter paper.
Place another blotter paper over the items to be pressed.
Place another corrugated board (C) on top of the blotter papers (D).
Place top board (A) on top of corrugated board (C).
Place a flat washer (F) over each carriage bolt.
Screw a wing nut (G) onto each carriage bolt and hand tighten to exert pressure.

Notes:

Additional layers can be used for pressing plants by repeating the assembly procedure. Only two plywood boards are needed no matter how many layers are used. Longer carriage bolts will be needed if the number of layers exceed the length of the 4" bolts recommended.
Cardboard box material can be used for corrugated board. Be sure the surfaces are clean, dry and free of any creases. 
Paint or woodburn, or use a stencil or transfer on the top for a cute cover. You're done! Here's some cute variations to get those creative juices flowing!!!





GARDEN GIGGLE

Why did the duck say "Bang!"? 
Because he was a firequacker! 

What protest by a group of dogs occurred in 1773? 
The Boston Flea Party!

What did one flag say to the other flag? 
Nothing. It just waved!

Where did George Washington buy his hatchet? 
At the chopping mall!

Why did Paul Revere ride his horse from Boston to Lexington? 
Because the horse was too heavy to carry!

Why did the British cross the Atlantic? 
To get to the other tide!

What would you get if you crossed a
patriot with a small curly-haired dog?
Yankee Poodle!

FAUNA

GARDEN GOODIES~SHARE OUR GARDEN RECIPE #0022  CHEESY SPINACH AND BACON DIP
A faboo yummy dip that is quick and easy to make!  Use your crockpot when serving this dip at a party, pouring the prepared dip into a small slow cooker set on Low. This will keep the dip warm and at the ideal consistency for several hours. For best results, stir the dip occasionally to prevent hot spots. Serve with tortilla chips and cut-up fresh vegetables.  



What You Need
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained
1 lb. (16 oz.) VELVEETA®, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cubed
1 can (10 oz.) RO*TEL Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained
8 slices cooked OSCAR MAYER Bacon, crumbled

Make It!
Microwave ingredients in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 5 min. or until VELVEETA is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 3 min.
Nutritional Information
PER SERVING
Calories 70
Total fat 5g
Saturated fat 3g
Cholesterol 15mg
Sodium 300mg
Carbohydrate 2g
Dietary fiber 0g
Sugars 2g
Protein 3g
Vitamin A 25%DV
Vitamin C 0%DV
Calcium 15%DV
Iron 0%DV

 GARDEN GAMES

Yankee Doodle came to Riding on a Stuck a in his And called it keep it dandy,Mind the and the steps,And with the be handy. Father and went down to Along with Captain Gooding, And there we saw the and As thick as hasty pudding.


FEEDBACK
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