Posts Tagged With ‘ Gardening ’

For vegetable gardeners, August and September are when harvest occurs and you see the fruits, or rather the vegetables, of your labors. The star of my gardening efforts this year is the raspberries. Years ago at my local co-op, I bought a pot of raspberries, one of my favorite foods. It grew into this wonderful patch. The record for raspberries has been 22 pints; this year my raspberry patch produced 25 pints. They’re all beautifully lined up in my refrigerator. The green beans also were outstanding. I just picked and cooked my third or fourth batch. The cucumbers were small and I only... Continue Reading

As summer is winding down, you’d think back to school sales would be the best bet for deals. However, it also brings free cookies, tax free shopping, deals on garden tools, and more. Here’s what DealNews.com suggests as the best bargains to look for in August. National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day deals It’s Aug. 4, so look for free cookies and great deals. Back to school supplies These yearly sales are now underway. In addition to deals on color crayons, notebooks, and folders, look for price reductions on backpacks, lunch boxes, clothing, and tech items as well. Tax free items Some states... Continue Reading

I love the beautiful summer days here in the Seattle area. People are streaming into Western Washington due to the mild weather, attractive as climate change worsens, and the job opportunities. It’s so nice to be enjoying 70 degree weather as many areas of the country swelter. I’m also appreciating my wonderful garden with its abundant Swiss chard and kale. And my raspberry patch is yielding its usual pints of raspberries to freeze.   My blogger friends also are enjoying summer and other happenings: The value of staycations Let’s face it, we only get so many summers in our lives. And there’s... Continue Reading

It’s hard to believe that the July Fourth sales are coming up. It seems like the Memorial Day sales were just yesterday. July Fourth is a huge shopping holiday in the United States and marks the middle of summer. Look for the sales to begin far in advance of July Fourth. DealNews.com offers these tips for the July sales: Electronics Get up to 70 percent off on electronics on a wide variety of electronics such as photography items, SSDs, monitors, laptops, TVs, phones, smart devices, and other items. Summer clothing Clothing sales make up a large part of the July 4th sales every year so look... Continue Reading

One of the many things I love about June, July, and summer in general is gardening. Full disclosure, I am possibly the most ineffective gardener on the planet, but what I lack in skill level I make up with unbridled enthusiasm. Gardening can be a relaxing and even meditative experience. Unless, of course, your efforts are completely demolished by one epic hail storm, which is exactly what happened to me last week. Ah well. But, after another trip to my favorite garden shop I was once again planting, raking, and laying down compost. That’s when I had a mental head smacking moment. Gardening offers... Continue Reading

Gardening is a pastime that many of us cherish. The joy of seeing a seed sprout, a flower bloom, or a vegetable ripen is unparalleled. However, as we advance in years, maintaining a garden can become a daunting task. The physical exertion required for activities such as weeding, pruning, and planting can be overwhelming. But does that mean we should relinquish the pleasures of gardening as we age? Absolutely not! With a few strategic changes and thoughtful planning, seniors can continue to enjoy the benefits of gardening without the associated stress. This guide will provide you with simple yet... Continue Reading

Earth Day is a good reminder of what to do every day and throughout the year for the health of the planet. I spend a lot of time on it. I know many people do, too. The theme for this year’s Earth Day is Invest in Our Planet. What Americans are doing for planet health Three-quarters of Americans say that they’re particularly concerned with helping the environment as they go about their daily lives, while 24 percent say they aren’t particularly concerned, according to a Pew Research Center survey. However, only one-in-five say they try to live in ways that help the environment “all the... Continue Reading

Happy Easter if Easter is a day you celebrate. For me, I’m trying to concentrate today on the wonders of spring and the yearly renewal of the earth. Here are some recent photos: In late February, we have a snow storm, but fortunately, the power didn’t go out at my house. In early April, I head to the capital grounds because I read in the newspaper that the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Not true. Only a few of the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. However, the magnolia tree, in past days called the sine die tree meaning when the tree blooms the legislature should adjourn, is blooming. ... Continue Reading

April isn’t one of the best months of the year to look for deals, but, as always, compare prices to see where and how much you can save. Check out this list of the best things to buy in April from DealNews.com and also several items you should hold off on until later. Cookware With graduation and the wedding season coming up, expect retailers to offer a decent number of deals. Athletic shoes With renewed interest in getting outdoors and exercising more as the weather warms up and new items being released, April is a good time to look for athletic shoes. Air conditioners If you need a window... Continue Reading