- JUST BLOOMED TODAY
- AWKWARD PHOTO OF THE DAY
- TWEET TREATS
- DID YOU KNOW...?
- GARDEN UPDATE
- HOW TO HELP WHEN FRIENDS ARE GRAVELY ILL
- FAUNA
- GARDEN GIGGLE
- GARDEN GOODIES~SHARE OUR GARDEN RECIPE #0063 DATE NUT BARS
- WHAT IN THE WORLD?
- FEEDBACK
JUST BLOOMED TODAY
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| Geraniums |
AWKWARD PHOTO OF THE DAY
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TWEET TREATS
bringing you the quirky, funniest and most interesting tweets from Twitter that we came across.
DID YOU KNOW...?
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| Twitter is an odd little Oz, isn't it? @DothTheDoth Editor's Note: We publish this as an homage to the opening of the original 1939 movie in history today |
it is physically impossible for pigs to look up at the sky?
GARDEN UPDATE
What a trooper! I am typing this with two fingers because the wasp bite has swollen up my pointer finger to look like a hot dog, so if I did any typos, please forgive me!
HOW TO HELP WHEN FRIENDS ARE GRAVELY ILL
Friends are so important to our daily lives. They help us make the little things into big things. They listen. They laugh. They cry with us. So, how do you deal when someone close to you becomes gravely ill?
My husband was diagnosed with cancer in the late 80's and it was a devastating blow to us all. Soon our days were filled with doctors, hospitals, medicines and procedures. In short, our lives were not our own.
The everyday mundane things that you and I take for granted go by the wayside during these times. A homecooked meal, flowers, taking out the trash, laundry, etc. No one ever knows what to say or do during these times to help.So I thought I would share some things that were done for me that meant so much.
One Vietnam vet who I had never met rang my doorbell one morning. I just happened to be home for a short time to meet with the insurance man and my husband was in ICU in City of Hope. When I answered the door, he politely told me that he was there to mow the lawn and clean up the yard. I was not to do anything but he just wanted to let me know he was out there. It brought me to tears. I have never met this man but he knew my husband and figured this was a way to help. He was so right.
When people hear that someone is sick, I believe most of them truly want to help in some way, but don't know how. The worst thing for me was when people said,' If you need anything, please let me know.' Or 'Call me if you need anything'.
When you are in that situation, your mind is so full of things that must be done, let alone have time for rest, food or sleep. So those things become so special when someone thinks of them.
During that time I was working three jobs and I was pretty tired. A co-worker from another department called and said she was taking me to lunch. I was pleasantly surprised and when she picked me up she drove me to her home and she had a home cooked meal waiting for me. It was heavenly after all the vending machine and fast food I had been existing on.
Another friend who was working full time stopped by to visit and calmly told me she was staying overnight with me in the trailer where I was temporarily living. It was wonderful not to have to go in there alone, yet again and her presence made me feel so loved. To this day I am not sure she realizes how much that meant.
So, what are some other things you can do for someone in this situation? If you feel you can't make time to visit, you can send a card or note to cheer them. Tuck in a few local fast food gift certificates for those meals on the go. Offer to come by and pick up their car and get it washed. This was a luxury I never had time for.
If the caregiver has time slots where the sick person will be occupied getting a procedure, offer to take them to lunch, or simply go for a walk. If you know they are into crafting, a small craft kit to keep them occupied while they are sitting by the hospital bed is so appreciated. Or, if you don't want to intrude, simply drop off dinner. Put it in a pretty basket with some fresh fruit or homemade treat.
Other things we appreciated: salt and pepper packets or small shakers. Believe it or not, the hospital food often came without these items and food is pretty tasteless without them. They are often impossible to find after hours when the kitchen is closed. A TV guide. Word puzzles or magazines.
For those who will be in the hospital long-term, a pretty afghan or quilt to put around shoulders while in a wheelchair is wonderful and something as simple as colored pillowcases make the room look less hospital-ish. (Note: The caregiver will have to launder these themselves, as hospitals will only launder their own goods). Make sure they are new in the package in case immune systems are low and they are watching out for germs.
Family is so vital during these times but many people aren't as lucky as I was to have supportive family. That's where friends become so important.
All in all, the most caring thing is to let the person and the caregiver know that they are not alone; that you will keep them in your prayers and that you wish them good health as they fight the good fight...that's the best gift you could give.
GARDEN GIGGLE
What a trooper! I am typing this with two fingers because the wasp bite has swollen up my pointer finger to look like a hot dog, so if I did any typos, please forgive me!
HOW TO HELP WHEN FRIENDS ARE GRAVELY ILL
Friends are so important to our daily lives. They help us make the little things into big things. They listen. They laugh. They cry with us. So, how do you deal when someone close to you becomes gravely ill?
My husband was diagnosed with cancer in the late 80's and it was a devastating blow to us all. Soon our days were filled with doctors, hospitals, medicines and procedures. In short, our lives were not our own.
The everyday mundane things that you and I take for granted go by the wayside during these times. A homecooked meal, flowers, taking out the trash, laundry, etc. No one ever knows what to say or do during these times to help.So I thought I would share some things that were done for me that meant so much.
One Vietnam vet who I had never met rang my doorbell one morning. I just happened to be home for a short time to meet with the insurance man and my husband was in ICU in City of Hope. When I answered the door, he politely told me that he was there to mow the lawn and clean up the yard. I was not to do anything but he just wanted to let me know he was out there. It brought me to tears. I have never met this man but he knew my husband and figured this was a way to help. He was so right.
When people hear that someone is sick, I believe most of them truly want to help in some way, but don't know how. The worst thing for me was when people said,' If you need anything, please let me know.' Or 'Call me if you need anything'.
When you are in that situation, your mind is so full of things that must be done, let alone have time for rest, food or sleep. So those things become so special when someone thinks of them.
During that time I was working three jobs and I was pretty tired. A co-worker from another department called and said she was taking me to lunch. I was pleasantly surprised and when she picked me up she drove me to her home and she had a home cooked meal waiting for me. It was heavenly after all the vending machine and fast food I had been existing on.
Another friend who was working full time stopped by to visit and calmly told me she was staying overnight with me in the trailer where I was temporarily living. It was wonderful not to have to go in there alone, yet again and her presence made me feel so loved. To this day I am not sure she realizes how much that meant.
So, what are some other things you can do for someone in this situation? If you feel you can't make time to visit, you can send a card or note to cheer them. Tuck in a few local fast food gift certificates for those meals on the go. Offer to come by and pick up their car and get it washed. This was a luxury I never had time for.
If the caregiver has time slots where the sick person will be occupied getting a procedure, offer to take them to lunch, or simply go for a walk. If you know they are into crafting, a small craft kit to keep them occupied while they are sitting by the hospital bed is so appreciated. Or, if you don't want to intrude, simply drop off dinner. Put it in a pretty basket with some fresh fruit or homemade treat.
Other things we appreciated: salt and pepper packets or small shakers. Believe it or not, the hospital food often came without these items and food is pretty tasteless without them. They are often impossible to find after hours when the kitchen is closed. A TV guide. Word puzzles or magazines.
For those who will be in the hospital long-term, a pretty afghan or quilt to put around shoulders while in a wheelchair is wonderful and something as simple as colored pillowcases make the room look less hospital-ish. (Note: The caregiver will have to launder these themselves, as hospitals will only launder their own goods). Make sure they are new in the package in case immune systems are low and they are watching out for germs.
Family is so vital during these times but many people aren't as lucky as I was to have supportive family. That's where friends become so important.
All in all, the most caring thing is to let the person and the caregiver know that they are not alone; that you will keep them in your prayers and that you wish them good health as they fight the good fight...that's the best gift you could give.
GARDEN GIGGLE
Where do shellfish go to borrow money?
To the prawn broker!
What do you call a big fish who makes you an offer you can't refuse?
The Codfather!
What happened to the shark who swallowed a bunch of keys?
He got lockjaw!
Where do fish wash?
In a river basin!
What fish only swims at night?
A starfish!
How do fish go into business?
They start on a small scale!
Which fish go to heaven when they die?
Angelfish!
What is the best way to communicate with a fish?
Drop it a line!
What kind of horse can swim underwater without coming up for air?
A seahorse!
FAUNA
GARDEN GOODIES~SHARE OUR GARDEN RECIPE #0063 DATE NUT BARS
Dates, walnuts, cinnamon, and vanilla mingling with the flavors of honey and apple jelly - this bar has something for everyone. Put it all on our simple oatmeal cookie bar crust, and you've got an instant bake-sale classic. 
Crust Ingredients
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened but cool
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup oats, quick or old-fashioned
1 3/4 cups flour
1 tablespoon cold water
Crust Instructions:
Heat the oven to 350º, then butter a 13- by 9-inch pan and set it aside.
Cream the softened butter, sugar, and salt in a large bowl with a wooden spoon. Stir in the oats, then stir in the flour a third at a time, rubbing in the last bit of it by hand to make coarse crumbs. Sprinkle on the water and rub briefly.
Press the dough into the pan, spreading it evenly into the bottom and very slightly up the sides. Chill the pan for 15 minutes. Then bake the pastry on the center oven rack for 15 minutes. Transfer the crust, in the pan, to a wire rack to cool thoroughly.
FILLING:
You Will Need:
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup apple jelly
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups chopped dates
1 1/4 cups chopped walnuts
You Will Need:
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup apple jelly
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups chopped dates
1 1/4 cups chopped walnuts
Filling Instructions:
You have prepared the Quick Cookie Bar Crust and allowed it to cool in the pan.
Heat the oven to 350º. Combine the honey, apple jelly, and butter in a medium saucepan over moderate heat. Whisk the mixture occasionally until the butter and jelly melt, about 5 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat.
Mix the brown sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and whisk until they're well mixed, then whisk in the honey mixture. Next, stir in the dates and walnuts.
Pour the filling over your prepared cooled crust and spread evenly with a spoon. Bake the bars on the center oven rack for 25 minutes, until they're a rich golden brown. Transfer the bars, in the pan, to a wire rack to cool thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate the bars for 1 to 2 hours before slicing. Makes up to 24 bars.
WHAT IN THE WORLD?
On today in American history, people in gardens everywhere were talking about:
1534 St. Ignastius of Loyola starts The Jesuits, an order of Catholic priests in Paris France
1899 Henry Ford leaves Edison to start his own automobile company
1914 Panama Canal opens
1939 Wizard of Oz debuts in Hollywood
1961 Berlin Wall built
1969 Woodstock begins
1979 The movie 'Apocalypse Now' released
2001 The first solar system outside our own discovered
2012 Actor Ron Palillo, best known as "Horshack" on the TV sitcom "Welcome Back, Kotter" dies at age 63
You have prepared the Quick Cookie Bar Crust and allowed it to cool in the pan.
Heat the oven to 350º. Combine the honey, apple jelly, and butter in a medium saucepan over moderate heat. Whisk the mixture occasionally until the butter and jelly melt, about 5 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat.
Mix the brown sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and whisk until they're well mixed, then whisk in the honey mixture. Next, stir in the dates and walnuts.
Pour the filling over your prepared cooled crust and spread evenly with a spoon. Bake the bars on the center oven rack for 25 minutes, until they're a rich golden brown. Transfer the bars, in the pan, to a wire rack to cool thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate the bars for 1 to 2 hours before slicing. Makes up to 24 bars.
On today in American history, people in gardens everywhere were talking about:
1534 St. Ignastius of Loyola starts The Jesuits, an order of Catholic priests in Paris France
1899 Henry Ford leaves Edison to start his own automobile company
1914 Panama Canal opens
1939 Wizard of Oz debuts in Hollywood
1961 Berlin Wall built
1969 Woodstock begins
1979 The movie 'Apocalypse Now' released
2001 The first solar system outside our own discovered
2012 Actor Ron Palillo, best known as "Horshack" on the TV sitcom "Welcome Back, Kotter" dies at age 63
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