Supernatural Botanicals

There’s no doubt that that many of us are channeling our “inner designer” , and at HGTV.com, these designers are showcasing their skills, some of which are simply brilliant.  My favorite backyard makeover of the day is submitted by Sir Chandelier on Rate My Space.  He created this absolutely stunning backyard makeover.  I see French outdoor bistro when I look at this.  The colors are perfection.  The stripped black and white awnings are gorgeous!  The furniture is elegant.  The double-ended fireplace takes the cake.  It makes my head spin with new, creative ideas.  Gorgeous! 

When checking out design ideas, don’t forget to look into the Rate My Space files over at www.HGTV.com.  You’ll be amazed at how creative everyday people can really be with their interiors. 

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Beyond endless health benefits and countless delicious recipes, here are a few (more) things you should know about garlic:

*  In order to maximize the photochemical power of garlic, it should be allowed to sit for at least several minutes after being crush or chopped. 

*  The more finely garlic is chopped or crushed, the more healthful properties are activated…and the more that are retained in cooking.

*  The aromatic compounds in garlic undergo conversion and are released when the cell walls of a clove are breached by crushing or chopping and the contents oxidize.  This is why we cry when chopping onions, garlic’s first cousin. 

Terminology:

Vegetarian:  A vegetarian is an individual who chooses, for health, environmental, ethical, or religious reasons to abstain from the consumption of animal flesh, including poultry and fish. 

Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian:  A lacto-ovo vegetarian eats no flesh, but consumes dairy (lacto) and eggs (ovo). 

Vegan:  A vegan (pronounced VEE-gun) is an individual who chooses to abstain from the consumption of all animal products.  While vegetarians avoid flesh foods, vegans also avoid dairy and eggs as well as fur, leather, and other goods that cause suffering to animals. 

Allow me to save your hands from excruciating pain. Never, ever, ever chop hot peppers without rubber gloves on.  I made the most beautifully delicious fresh Pico de Gallo from my garden tonight.  It was only three peppers….I figured why not?  Pulling the seeds from my Garden Salsa Peppers with my fingers seemed fine…at first.  But as time went on, my hands started to burn from the caspian (the component that brings the heat) in the peppers. 

If you’ve already committed the crime, try hand sanitizer with a high alcohol content.  Dawn dishwashing liquid also helps.  Wash hands over and over.  Avoid contact with any other part of your body….or your husband’s body! 

Backyard dinner dates….one of my very favorite things!  You don’t need to find a sitter for the kids and spend a ton of money in order to have a dinner date with your man….or entire family. Create a beautiful place in your yard or on your balcony to dine outside.  I created my secret spot under a huge tree in my yard, and designed a seating area, lined with Brassfield Chips (pebble ground cover seen above.)

Beautiful linens/tablecloths can create so many different looks.  The picture above happens to be a Saturday morning breakfast date with the newspaper and fresh papaya juice (coffee being brewed).  It’s a beautiful way to start the day or end an evening.

A backyard dinner date just takes creativity.  It can be breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner; the backyard dates are especially beneficial when you feel like you haven’t been on a real date in 100 years.  Create a romantic dinner for two (don’t forget candles), or serve dinner for the entire family there.   Have coffee and bagels in the morning, or gourmet cheeses and a bottle of wine in the evening.

Get creative and surprise your guy with a backyard dinner date.

Check out this rare behind the scenes peek of Jamie Oliver at home. 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJJi8ROrvZE

Lawn-care giants, Scotts Miracle-Gro Co., says it will close its Smith and Hawken stores by the end of the year.  Smith and Hawken sells upscale lawn, garden, and outdoor lifestyle products.  The recession and weak economy are to blame, Scotts says. 

Store-wide sales start today in all stores.  All 56 Smith and Hawken locations will be closed by year’s end. 

This is a look at my backyard garden today.  My purple hydrangea from the Farmers Market this past Saturday still looks great today, Thursday.  I change the water in the vase every other day, and add sweet lemon thyme to the vase, free floating.  It’s such a great look for clear vases.  Tender young green leaf lettuce is in full bloom.  My Roma tomatoes have their first bud, a single tiny green ball.  The Tabasco pepper plant has tiny little yellow peppers budding everywhere.  (editorial note….these peppers are as hot as fire!)  Very young Jalapenos, two single stubby peppers emerging out, in the past few days.  Cayenne peppers are green, and will turn red if you leave them on the vine long enough.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7drx7gwO0Ww