Flowers in my backyard...

OK it is spring but last year this orange bush was gleaming with orange flowers every where..

I believe the cold and damp rain has killed its spirit..

What to do!!

Any suggestions email me..

Even If You Do Not Have A dog, Please Read!!

Please tell every dog and cat owner you know.

Even if you do not have a pet, please pass this to those who do.

Over the weekend, the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden. The dogs love the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden.

Their dog- Calypso decided the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way. The next day , Mom woke up an took Calypso out for her morning walk. Half way through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly.

Although the mulch had NO Warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's web site, this product is Highly toxic to dogs and cats.

Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's and they claim that "It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it."

*Snopes site gives the following information:
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp

Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden supply and other Garden supply stores contains a lethal ingredient call 'Theobromine'.

It is lethal to dogs and cats.

It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. they will ingest this stuff and die.
Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks.

Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs.

Coca bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effect to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours late.

Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.

**PLEASE PASS THIS ON**

Getting The Garden Ready...

Yippee... Warm today that is a plus in Boston.

Started cleaning the yard back, front and sides. WOW I got my exercise today..
So many leaves too little time, took all day but got it done.

So now the fun part started putting the bulbs in the ground.

End of the week will put more in.

I saw the birds know when I do this so much tweeting in the yard and next..

The tulips are up and the Lillie's & Iris are showing themselves day by day.

I lost several juniper bushes.
Any suggestions send them my way.

Looking for bushes that need little to semi light that do not get to huge.

Also lost all of my poppy flowers down to one.
Someone mention that I should cover them with burlap did so but lost them all .. Hmmm

Clear out the garden got my herbs growing indoors will wait until May.

If you live in Boston you know that it just might snow one more time lol.

OK so I planted some Rubard last year told by a fellow meetup friend not to cut it or eat it the first year.



So I listen but now what do I do second year growing well can I cut it end of the summer etc.



Send me any information would really appreciate it.

Orchid Show In New York

A must for all that love flowers and more.

I have been three times and all times amazing.

Takes only 3 1/2 hours from Boston worth it.

Trust me.

The Orchid Show runs February 27 - April 11 at the New York Botanical Garden.

Located in Bronx , New York.

Bring your camera/camcorder and lots of batteries. And a good pair of walking shoes..

Do not go during the holidays very crowded, you will not enjoy.

Afterwards go to Arthur Street for great Italian Food and pastries.

Visit nybg.org

Orange Hoisin Chicken

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 slices peeled freh giner about 1/4 thick
3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1 tablesppons sesame oil
6 individually frozen boneless, skinless chicken breat halves (do not thaw)
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons cold water
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional), toasted in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant

You will need a medium or large round or oval slow cooker.
Setting and cook time put on LOW for 5 to 6 hours.

Prepare:

In a zippered plastic bag combine the orange juice, honey, soy sauce, ginger, garlic and sesame oil. One at a time, put the chicken pieces in the bag, seal and gently shake to coat with the sauce. Transfer the coated chicken to slow cooker then pour the remaining sauce over the chicken. cover and cook on LOW until the chicken is tender and cooled through 5 to 6 hours.

Transfer the chicken to a warm platter. Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh strainer into a small saucepan.
In a cup or small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and cold water. Bring the sauce to a boil over high heat, add the slurry, and cook stirring a few times, until thickened 1 or 2 minutes.

Pour some of the sauce over the chicken and pass the rest on the side. If desired sprinkle the sesame seeds over the top.

Summer Squash by John

Peel three medium summer squash dice into 1/2' cubes.

Hot tab water into pot.

Squash but into the pot of water bring to boil.

As soon as water boils drain squash.

Add to Squash:

1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp. celery salt
2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp pepper

Heat - form syrup fold squash gently.

Deviled Eggs by Doreen

Ingredients:

12 eggs, hard boiled
2/3 cups of mayonnaise
4 tablespoons mustard
4 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
salt & pepper
1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper sauce
Paprika for garnish

Directions:

Peal and cut eggs in half, lengthwise. Remove the yolks into a bowl and mash them. Add 1/3 cup mayonnaise, mustard, sweet pickle relish, salt and pepper to taste and hot re pepper sauce.

Mix all the ingredients together. The texture needs to be firm enough to either pipe back into egg halves with a pastry bag or you can use a spoon. You may need to add the additional 1/3 cup of mayonnaise. You can also add more mustard depending on your taste. After yolk mixture is added back to eggs, sprinkle tops with paprika.