Cats in an Irish Garden

I was thinking of a Valentine Blog that had some soul to it and I came up with this video. Some of these photos were taken in cemeteries throughout Ireland where the feeling of peace met me with each shutter release. The gardens and flourishing greenery in Ireland is breathtaking to say the least. These photos captured a tranquility and appreciation for the soul in life and the beauty of the present moment. It was a great day creating this and remembering the beautiful places once visited and always remembered. This is a video blog about LOVE.

Thank you for visiting my gardening blog: www.nadiaknows.com   —- what do I know? That gardens inspire me to grow and create.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Thanks for visiting my gardening blog: www.nadiaknows.com        - grow, create and inspire!

Looking for garden mirror-balls? Follow this link: Garden Gazing Globes

Thank you for visiting my gardening blog: www.nadiaknows.com

Create = Grow= Inspire

The holidays are here and I have had many requests for homemade gifts from the garden. I like creating gifts from the garden, especially when they’re organic and easy to do. If the only use this mint syrup gets is for placing it in hot or iced-tea, then it’s well worth it.  Create a basket with some white rum and a bottle of club soda and you have a little “Mojito Party Basket” as a holiday gift! Mint syrup can be poured over cooked fruit, fresh fruit, ice cream and mixed into recipes that call for simple syrup. The Retro glass jars were purchased at  Sur le Table for under $4.00 each. I used “typewriter” FONT to print out homemade labels for the jars. Everyone loves a home-made gift and this one is super yummy and simple to make.

nadia's mint syrup

Making Mint Syrup: Also known as Simple Syrup.

RECIPE:

2 CUPS Granulated Sugar

1 CUP Water

1 CUP Packed Fresh Mint Leaves

2 Tablespoons of Corn Syrup

DIRECTIONS: In a small saucepan heat sugar, corn syrup and water to a slow boil until Sugar is dissolved. Add Mint and remove from heat. Stir for 1 minute. Allow syrup to cool back down to room temperature. Pour Mint Syrup into a bowl through a strainer. Store the syrup in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator until ready to use. Syrup will keep for several months.

*makes 2 cups

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Create- Grow- Inspire

Organic Herb Sea Salt

It’s time to make some garden gifts for the holidays! I created a “how to” video on you tube and some printed directions below. This is a favorite in our household and I am finding out that each time I give it as a gift, it becomes someone else’s kitchen favorite. It is great on salads, avocados, chicken, soups and anything you would put salt on. Now you can make it too! Or, order one from me and I will mail it to you.

RECIPE:

1 Cup chopped mixed herbs: use your favorite. This one in the video contains Chives, Parsley, Rosemary, Basil, Thyme, Oregano.

1/2 Cup Sea Salt

1/2 Cup Kosher Salt

1/8 Cup of extra herbs to save on the side.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Blend Sea Salt in the Blender a few seconds until it is the same size as Kosher Salt.

2. Transfer Sea Salt to a food processor and add chopped herbs.

3. Pulse until well mixed and the Sea Salt turns a nice green.

4. Add Kosher Salt and pulse a few more times to completely blend all ingredients.

5. Turn into a pan and add the last 1/8 Cup of chopped herbs, mix well.

6. Cook at 200 degrees for 1 Hour. Mix after 30 minutes and break up all the chunks.

7. Cool completely, Return to the food processor for a few QUICK pulses to blend evenly.

8.  Store in air tight jars. Shelf life lasts months at room temperature.

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Create – Grow – Inspire

I had another “first experience” gardening this week, I planted garlic. Here is a very quick video to capture the essence of garlic planting. I planted an organically grown garlic clove that I bought at a roadside vegetable stand here in San Diego.

A few facts about garlic:

* Garlic is great for growing in containers.

* November is a good time to plant garlic.

* Co-plant or “companion plant” garlic next to lettuce, cabbage, roses, apple trees, beets and carrots. The garlic will act as an organic pest repellant keeping aphids, root fly and snails away. This is a great way to organically keep your garden as pest free as possible without using harmful chemicals.

* Follow this link for the great health benefits of garlic.

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Create-Grow-Inspire

I planted this “Anna Semi Dwarf Apple Tree” in my garden a year ago and this month 7 apples were ready to be picked. My kids decided something with a lot of sugar would be the appropriate celebration dessert for harvesting our first bumper crop. That sounds like farm talk doesn’t it?, “we harvested our apples.” I searched online for ideas and I have to confess, I chose a cobbler over a pie because cobblers are easy and fast! It tasted delicious, I only wish I could insert the aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg and baked dough on this blog.

Anna Apples grow great in San Diego County, they are crispy, juicy and sweet. They need full sun and grow to about 10 feet. Did you know that full sun means 6 hours of sun per day? Nice little garden fact for the next get together with your friends!

The blooms on the tree are incredibly beautiful, see this photo link- BLOOM.

This dwarf apple tree can be planted in a very large container. I have a variety of dwarf trees in containers around my backyard.

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“I know that creating, growing and having fun makes each day an inspiration.”

Thank you for visiting my gardening blog: www.nadiaknows.com            I know that growing, creating, and inspiring happens in the garden.

Come with me to an Carlsbad local’s favorite roadside stop, a fruit and flower stand that has charm and character. The red tractor on the lot made a great backdrop for a photo with my kids when they were just tots, years ago. Today I put 3 little pumpkins on it and call it, “Three Sisters” – (yes I have two sisters). On any given day, I can run down to the fruit stand and pick up herbs, veggies, flowers, homemade tamales, guacamole, and even chocolate covered strawberries. Enjoy the pumpkins.

Thank you for visiting my gardening blog: create, grow and inspire!