New Tulip Variety

Hybrid flowers have a tendency to revert to their original strain after a while. That's what must be happening to my red tulip. It usually just has yellow at the base of each petal. The photo shows the daring tulip with the yellow swash. Hope it comes back next year.

Sowing Peas Today

After a weekend of rain in southeastern Michigan, I decided it was a good day to sow peas into the soil. This year I selected Burpee's, "Wando" variety. The company claims it is cold and heat tolerant. You never know what Michigan's weather will deliver. That's why I planted these peas. I'll plant more next week and then the following week so I'll get a steady crop. Sometime in late July, I'll sow more seeds for a fall harvest. Let's hope the rabbits stay away from my yard.

Rain Water Collection

I have been looking at getting a rain barrel. The Apartment Therapy blog featured a terrific version called the, "Rain Hog". These collection vessels can be placed horizontally - think between deck joists or vertically and use a small footprint to hold a large amount of water. Take a look.

Paper Lawn and Leaf Bag Deal in Metro Detroit

How would you like to get paper lawn and leaf bags for 24 cents each. It's possible. Vince and Joe's markets in Clinton Township and Shelby Township have the bags on sale this week. you have to purchase 50 bags to get this great price. Let's face it, if you are already buying these refuse bags, why not stock up. The price is $12.00 for 50 bags. Click on the weekly specials link to view the pdf. Consider stores that price match if Vince and Joe's is too far of a destination.

Paper Mache Bird

I neglected to include the bird I made to go with the wild birdhouse. Here it is!

Home Tweet Home Birdhouse

The Master Gardener's banquet requested members bring a birdhouse to decorate the festivities. Rather than buy one, I decided to make a birdhouse out of paper mache. Looks like something Diego Rivera would have designed.

Hawaiian Birdhouse

At a Master Gardener banquet, participants were encouraged to bring birdhouses they had made or purchased. My friend brought this lovely little version that would fit in nicely in a tropical paradise. The exterior has pebbles that adhere to a wood cylinder and is outlined with shells. The top looks like a thatched hut. And the flowers on the roof are a nice touch to this lovely home for birds.

Hailing in Michigan

Had to share some photos of hail that landed in my yard. The pieces averaged 1-2 inches and looked like abstract sculptures. What was unique was the hail stayed intact in my yard while the ice formations melted in my neighbor's yard.

Paraben in Tortillas

How do you feel about eating wax? Not the kind from a honey bee, but the petroleum-based substance. Wax does not rank high on my list of foods that I want to eat. Imagine my surprise when I found two wax preservatives in the list of my tortillas ingredients; methyl paraben and propyl paraben.

I began eating corn tortillas thinking they were healthier than the pasta I was eating. More fiber, more natural substances. I was wrong. So I changed my buying habits. I bought masa and started making my own tortillas. Masa is finely ground corn with a trace of lime. Don't confuse masa with cornmeal - they have completely different textures.

I found that since I began making tortillas from scratch, I eat fewer and enjoy them more. Now if I could only find a tortilla recipe that is baked instead of fried my life would be even healthier.

What's my cautionary tale? Always check the ingredients, even on foods you are comfortable and familiar with. I have sensitivity to malted barley and just found that product in a brand-name, all-purpose flour. What's next? Will I have to check the ingredient list in oatmeal?

Do It Yourself Bailout

I apologize for not posting for a a little over a week. More volunteer work. This time it was for the Accounting Aid Society as an income tax preparer.

After hearing stories of how people lost their jobs and are living with family members to get back on track, I thought that our economy hadn't taken a turn for the better.

Then I heard a broadcast on National Public Radio on "The Takeaway" program. It was about taking charge of your financial situation - the do it yourself bailout. Personal financial expert Beth Kopliner talks about determining what's important, setting priorities for saving and more in the weeks to come.

Today's program focused on little things you have done that have saved you money in this recession. For example, I have budgeted five dollars a week for food. That may not seem like a lot, but I actually have eaten very well on that budget. This week I spent 99 cents for a ten pound bag of Michigan potatoes, $1.58 for 16 ounces of mushrooms and 79 cents for a head of cauliflower. That comes to $3.36 out of pocket. The remainder of the money goes into next week's food fund so if there is a sale on cheese or whatever, I can afford to buy some.

What have you done to save money? Let me know, I'd love to hear from you.