Posted on 01/01/2026 5:52:41 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
The MONTHLY Gardening Thread is a gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you.
If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located.
This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked.
It is impossible to hijack the Gardening Thread. Planting, Harvest to Table Recipes, Preserving, Good Living - there is no telling where it will go - and that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us! Send a Private Message to Diana in Wisconsin if you'd like to be added to/removed from our New & Improved Ping List.
NOTE: This is a once a MONTH Ping List, but we DO post to the thread all throughout the month. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest to Gardeners are welcomed any time.
Love that!
Nice post and I am all about that as long as it is winter.
A great zucchini recipe to be sure.
I always used bulk sweet italian sausage.
Lighting - I love candlelight. Beau says NO to burning candles (his elderly Dad burned down his house and died in the house fire, so I get it!) so I invested in the battery operated ones that look very realistic. I also bought a candle warmer, which warms the wax and releases the scent but the candle is not lit. It works really well - I might get a second one.
Togetherness - 24/7 from now until June, LOL!
Cozy Furnishings - Leather sofa for me, nice La-z-Boy for Beau, we each have our favorite ‘blankies’
Comfort - Leggings and sweatshirts 24/7 (at home!)
Eat and Drink Well - Really? We have to be told this? LOL!
Unplug - If I’m not here, I’m usually not on-line
Connect With Nature - Every day!
Bring Nature Indoors - I took down ‘Christmas’ and replaced the Dining Room table centerpiece with a tray, a rustic ceramic rabbit, live-edge wooden rounds Beau cut for me for height, three battery candles (fat ones) and clipped Juniper from the yard. Right now I have a vase of roses on the kitchen counter.
Make a Fire - Ours is gas, but it looks pretty real! Our bon fire pit gets a decent workout all year.
Linger - Over Hot Cocoa or some other relaxing drink before bed.
This one is really good:
Honey & Cinnamon Nighttime Drink
1 cup milk
1 tsp, honey
2 drops vanilla
1 pinch cinnamon
Heat milk in a microwave-safe mug until it begins to foam - about 3 minutes. Add the honey and vanilla then sprinkle cinnamon on top. You can add whipped cream if you want (only 15 calories!) THEN sprinkle on the cinnamon. Sip & Linger...
CUSTARD PIE / Sky high, creamy, not too eggy.
Ing--3 eggs 1/2 tsp salt 1 can sweet/cond/milk 1 1/2 c boiling water 1 tsp vanilla deep dish pie shell
Method---Beat eggs and salt frothy. Set aside. Pour boiling water into condensed milk; beat well. Continue beating, gradually adding egg mixture; add vanilla. Pour into deep dish pie shell. Can add cinnamon sprinkle. Bake on cookie sheet 425 deg 10 min, then reduce to 300 deg and bake 25 min. Do NOT over cook; pie will be "shaky" but firms up when cooled.
Vary--add dash lemon juice, zest.
Oh my, I am stealing this to try after work today. Thank you, thank you!
So glad you like the recipe.
Sounds like what I strive to do every day, winter or not.
As you’re going through seed catalogs, here are some things you may not have known:
How To Read Seed Catalogs
Every year in late winter to early spring new seed/plant catalogs arrive in our mailboxes or onto our favorite gardening eCommerce sites. The anticipation of new varieties and the sheer number of available cultivars fuels our collective gardening fervor.
Balancing our gardening frenzy with more prudent purchasing is a skill new and seasoned gardeners must acquire: Have fun but be practical.
Here are some insights and guidelines to help navigate the printed or online pages of your favorite seed and plant catalogs.
https://acreagelife.com/hobby-farming/how-to-read-seed-catalogs
I found all of those books at my Thrift Store - paid less than $2 for each of them!
Score!
The ‘Naturally Sweet Food in Jars’ is really helpful. Lots of recipes that use Maple Syrup instead of sugar - which we have in abundance. :)
BACON-WRAPPED STUFFED JALAPENOS
Ing 8 lge jalapenos 8 oz pkg cr/cheese 1 c Cheddar dash gar/powder dash salt hickory smoked bacon
Method Halve jalapenos lengthwise; deseed. Mix cr/cheese, Cheddar, spices. Stuff peppers,
set in baking dish. Wrap w/ bacon slices. Bake 450 deg till bacon is crisp. Serve w/ ranch dip.
MARZIPAN BARS / Makes 5 dozen. Good anytime, nice for the holidays.
Ing 1/2 c butter, 1/2 c light br/sugar 1 egg yolk 1 tsp vanilla 2 c flour 1/2 tsp b/soda 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 c milk 1 c red raspberry preserves or jelly 8 oz can almond paste, crumbled, sugared almond crumbs
Method Beat butter fluffy; beat in sugar, egg yolk, vanilla. Mix in combined flour, b/soda, salt; mix in milk. Spread evenly in greased jelly roll pan; spread with preserves. Spread with almond paste. Bake light brown 350 deg 35 min. Cool in pan on wire rack. Top with sugared almond crumbs.
Vary Spread with chocolate icing.
Jalapeno Poppers. Big fan contingency of those, right here!
Saturday Ping!
What little I know about the South I gleaned from Flannery O’Connor. A chinaberry tree figures in my favorite of her short stories.
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