Saving Zinnia Seeds

Our bountiful Zinnia harvest!
September 2022

It's apple season in New England! Pumpkins and Butternut Squash are now available, too!  That can only mean one thing.  It's time to save the Zinnia seeds from the plants that are blossoming in our garden. I save seeds from one year's crop to plant in the garden the next year.  It's the perfect time to harvest the seeds.  

The process is very easy:

Snip the colorful flowers (that are blossoming) from the green stems and place the cut flowers in a flat container to dry out.  I use cut down Kleenex boxes.  By sniping the fresh flowers I am able to choose what color Zinnias I am saving.  The boxes are placed on a shelf in our garage. The air circulates between the flowers and they dry out very well.  Some petals turn brown.

Colorful Zinnia flowers will be drying out.
(File Photo)

 
After they dry out, it's time to harvest the seeds from the dried out blossom.  Pull the petals from the short stems and you will find the cherished tear shaped seeds to plant in your garden the next year. I store the seeds in a business sized white labeled/ sealed envelope.  Usually, I need more than one envelope.  There are times when it is difficult to separate the seed from the dried petal, so I save "as is" and plant the seeds "as is" the following Spring.  It all works very well!

Tear shaped dried out Zinnia seeds
(File Photo)

After continually saving the seeds in September and replanting them, for about 5- 6 years, you will find the blossoms from the saved seeds getting smaller.  That is the clue to purchase commercialy packaged seeds from your garden center the following Spring.  After planting the new seeds and enjoying the beautiful colorful flowers, save the seeds again in September.

If you have Zinnias blossoming now, save the seeds for next year's beautiful garden!  It has been a tradition in my family- a tradition for decades.  Zinnias have always been a favorite flower!

Enjoy!
Happy Gardening!      

~Autumn~

~Autumn~

Autumn has arrived! The season of pumpkins and gourds. Today was the day to keep a tradition going! Purchasing a bushel of our favorite vegetable at Meadowbrook Farm in East Longmeadow. The veggie is Butternut Squash!  

Yummy! 

Craisin Raisin Apple Crisp

Craisin Raisin Apple Crisp
before adding the vanilla ice cream on top.
(File Photo)

In September when it gets a bit chilly here in Western MA I always think of baking an Apple Crisp! Actually, I think of baking a Craisin Raisin Apple Crisp and top it with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream before serving!  It's the dessert containing peeled/ sliced apples that is baked and has a delicious cinnamon nutmeg oat topping.  Did I mention that mixed in with the baked apple slices are puffed Craisins (dried cranberries) and puffed raisins?  The dried fruits absorb the moisture while they are baking and puff up.  At this time of year I use McIntosh and/ or Cortland apples.  During the winter season, sometimes, I use Empire Apples. 

This is definitely a tasty dessert made with apples and it does not require a pie crust!  It has been a family favorite for years!  A small scoop of ice cream or a small amount of whipped cream added on top adds to the delicious taste.  

I have posted my recipe many times in the past, so I am including my complete recipe here:

Craisin Raisin Apple Crisp Recipe 

Add apples- McIntosh or Cortland to your grocery list this week.  Read the recipe to learn if you have the other ingredients.  You probably do have old fashioned Oats in your pantry along with brown sugar, and the cinnamon and nutmeg.  If not, add those, too.  Plan on baking this delicious dessert soon!  It is so good!

Enjoy!
Yummy!                 

Late Summer Flowers

September!

A quick walk around our yard has me appreciating and enjoying the colorful flowers.  Soon, it will be time to save the Zinnia seeds!  

Enjoy!   

Freezing Green Peppers: Strips + Chunks

Green Pepper Strips
ready for the freezer!
(File Photo)

It's time!! Time to freeze Green Pepper strips and chunks! For quite a few years it's been a tradition with me to purchase the fresh local Green Peppers and prep them for the freezer.  No, I don't freeze the whole Pepper, I cut each Pepper into strips or chunks- discarding the pulp and seeds.  Then, the strips/ chunks are packaged into sandwich bags.  The closed sandwich bags are placed into freezer bags, labeled and into the freezer they go.  In the colder months it's great to reach into my freezer and take out a sandwich bag of prepared Green Peppers to add to an entree while preparing it.  

One day (a few years ago) I noticed that packaged frozen cut Green Peppers were located in the freezer department of a local grocery store.  In the summer this vegetable is plentiful at the local farm stands in my area.  So, the following summer I decided to freeze my own to use!  I learned it worked very well and it was not difficult to do.  

Purchase some fresh Green Peppers and prep them for your freezer.  Prepping a few at a time works well! 

Click here for my post with the complete directions!  

In the colder months you will be able to reach into your freezer and take out a small bag rather than purchasing a Green Pepper in the grocery store.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

       

Today-

~August 10, 2022~

 
Enjoying a beautiful August day today! No longer in a heat wave! Yippee!!!

Big smile!
Enjoying being outdoors!

Simply Delicious

Lime flavored Simply Delicious!
(File Photo)

For so many years I have been making this very easy dessert! Especially during the summer. Especially when it is
HHH outside. Especially during a heat wave!!! Simply Delicious is a light dessert that tastes so good.  It is so easy and hits the spot on a hot day.

There are only 3 ingredients in Simply Delicious.  Water, vanilla ice cream and a 3 ounce package of flavored gelatin. I use the JELL-O brand. 

Using the whisk!
Strawberry flavored
(File Photo)

The Directions are simple!

Simply Delicious
    2 servings

Ingredients:  

(1) Cup Boiling Water
(1) 3 ounce package JELL-O
(1) Cup Vanilla Ice Cream

Method:

1. In a large bowl completely dissolve flavored gelatin in 1 Cup boiling water.
2. Add in 1 Cup vanilla ice cream and stir.
3. Using a whisk continue dissolving ice cream. 
4. Pour into 2 dessert dishes or mugs.
5. Refrigerate for several hours.
6. Top with whipped cream when serving.  

Now, how easy can that be?  Strawberry, orange and lime flavors are our favorites! Add the ingredients to your grocery list and make this easy dessert!

Enjoy!
Yummy!