Fairy Gardens... a trend?

One of my favorite weekend projects is to visit some local garden centers and nurseries. Since my career lets me do that throughout the week, I really can't complain. Although, I have heard from others in my industry "the mailman doesn't go on walks on his day off"- that is not the case with me. I love to see new plants, learn about gardening tips and tricks, and see beautiful displays- day off or not.  

Within the last several years I have been noticing that fairy gardening seems to be trend. These are miniature gardens, usually complete with toadstools, little statues, and sometimes houses. I can't say I am a fan of fairies or whimsy but it has its place. There is a pretty serious (maybe not the right word) following.

Here are some pics from a garden center in Virginia...

What do you think? Fan or not???

Cookie of the month- Amaretto Brownies!

Towards the end of each month, I have decided to write about either a new cookie recipe find or an old standby...either way, it needs to be amazing to make the 'cut'!

This month is the famous amaretto brownie!
This brownie is rich and has aromas of coffee and the sweetness of almonds. It is perfect with an espresso or a nice wine. Sweet toothes, be warned.

Adam made these once for me when he was trying to get back together after a long breakup. These- with wine, books (which I still haven't read- and I get a hard time about it), a dinner at Biaggi's, helping with my move in, and I'm sure there were other things.  I was tough and took my sweet time... but these brownies definitely helped.

Here is the recipe, from Betty Crocker's Cookie Book. 

Brownies:

2/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted

 8 oz. semisweet baking chocolate

1/3 cup butter

1 1/4 cups all- purpose flour 

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. baking powder 

1/2 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. Amaretto liquor- more or less to taste

2 eggs

Frosting:
2 cups powdered sugar
3 Tbsp. butter, softened
1 Tbsp. Amaretto liquor, more or less to taste
1-2 Tbsp. milk

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom only of a 9 X 13'' pan.  In a food processor, place approximately 1/3 of the almonds. Cover and process until the almonds are ground. Coarsely chop the remaining almonds and set aside.

In a 3 qt. saucepan, melt the chocolate and 1/3 cup of the butter over low heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat after the mixture is smooth. Stir in the ground almonds, flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, 2 Tbsp. Amaretto, and the eggs. Spread the mixture in the 9 X 13'' pan. Bake 22-25 minutes, or until the toothpick comes out clean from the center.

In a medium bowl, mix the frosting ingredients until completely smooth. Spread over the cooled brownies and top with the coarsely chopped almonds.

P.S. some of my California friends were almond brokers, out there, its a'monds. No L. Its almond... with an L for this Iowa girl.

Time to pack up the jersey...

I just returned from a Bears vs. Packers party, with the winner advancing to the Super Bowl. The only great thing about today was getting together with friends... no amount of wine was going to make the game a little easier to watch. I even might have shed a few tears as I put away the Hester jersey for the year. I didn't even watch the AFC game....

We had delicious chili with all the fixings (it was a whole 10 degrees today, so a perfect day for it!). Also on the menu were amazing appetizers - and the Prairie Fire did make an appearance.

So, here's to hoping that the next season for the Bears is better!

Snow, snow please go away!

After the Holidays are over, its back to life as a sales representative securing Spring plant orders.

During the winter months, that means the weekly snowstorm to contend with.

There is nothing like setting appointments and watching the weather like a hawk. Even when I think of going South to avoid the weather, some places have as much snow as we all do in Iowa! Even in Virginia where Adam is, one whole inch of snow cancels hundreds of schools and events, sometimes even delaying government. Growing up (and looking forward to school snowdays in Northwest Iowa) we would all get excited when forecasters were talking 3-6+ inches! Only then, was there a slight, teeny tiny chance that we would be late or even canceled.

Some of my customers are ancy for Spring - I am too, but then I think of all the work I still have yet to do! It will all get done...usually with multiple Starbucks runs.

The best NEW little plants for SPRING!

Hope you all had a wonderful Holiday season...

After the Holidays are over, I notice that I have a tendency to be a little ancy.
Or a lot of ancy.

I would like Spring, very soon (like now or as soon as possible!) and I'm thinking my customers are almost to that point. I am a sales representative for a very large plant grower, with a focus on perennials, trees, and shrubs. My territory is Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. There are quite a few long road trips with many miles in between, but I wouldn't trade my customers for the world.

Back to the plants- there are just too many new and exciting plants that I need to see!
Here are some great finds that you may need to keep an eye out for...

1. Bloomerang ®Lilac, Proven Winners  (Syringa X 'Penda' USPP20,575)

This is a new introduction from our friends at Proven Winners. Its is a re-blooming lilac, producing fragrant purple flowers in Spring, Summer, and up until first frost! It grows approximately 4 feet tall and would make for a wonderful hedge.Or, it could stay smaller if its in a container. Regardless of where it makes its home, its a wonderful addition to a zone 4 Midwestern garden!

2. Bombshell Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'Bombshell')

This little hydrangea packs quite a punch! When we saw these growing in Tennessee, we honestly saw more blooms than leaves! The snowy white blooms are refreshing and hold up well in our summer heat. Bombshell only grows to approximately 3 feet tall and has better branching, compared to other hydrangea paniculata's. This plant does best in sun or shade, and comes to us from Ball Ornamentals in Chicago. It is a zone 3, perfect for the tundra! 

More great plants to come!