Verna's Garden Ornaments

In my spare time I have been busy making garden ornaments for Mothers day, birthdays and anniversary's.

I have them displayed in my yard for sale today, but they belong among flowers, in a burm, by a light post etc.

As you can tell I have green, gold, turquoise, red, blue, and clear garden ornaments. These are absolutely gorgeous when the sun shines on them, as they really sparkle. The price runs from $20.00 to $35.00. If you need a really unique gift for that person who has everything and you don't know what too buy for them, just give me a call at 920-739-2104.

Or email me at verna.v@att.net

When you put them in your yard
please keep them straighter then I have them. ( it was cold out and I did it in a hurry).

You can put them at any height you would like. Lower is better.

Just call me!!!

Dried Fruit and Nut Health Bars

You won't be getting a picture of the Health Bars. (at least not at this time) For what ever reason my picture will not publish.It is a call to my daughter for her computer skills, but I am not sure where she is. Hopefully next week we will have a picture. Also spell check is not working!!!Help!!!

In the meantime!!!! My friend Diane gave me this recipe. It came from Martha Stewert Living Magazine. These bars are really very good, even though I substituted lots of the ingredients. Will explain as I go.

Ingredients:
1 cup (9 oz.) pitted dates
1 1/2 cups rolled oats, finely ground in food processor
1 cup pecans-1/2 cup finely ground, 1/2 cup coarsely chopped
1 cup Macadamia Nuts, 1/2 cup finely ground 1/2 cup coarsely chopped
1/3 cup dried papaya, chopped in 1/2 " pieces-Diane found these at the Greenville Bulk Store
1/3 cup dried cherries coarsely chopped
1/3 cup dried blueberries
2 Tablespoon Oat Bran
3 Tablespoon ground flaxseed
2 Tablespoon wheat germ
1/2 teaspoon salt-I didn't use
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 Tablespoon brown rice syrup

Directions;
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place dates in a small saucepan and cover with water, bring to a simmer and drain. Puree in food processor until smooth.
Mix all ingredients together.
Pat in a sprayed 8 by 8 in glass pan. Press mixture well into the pan.
Bake until firm, which will be about 25 minutes. Cut into bars.

Comments from Verna's Test Kitchen:
I didn't have papaya's or dried blueberries. Also didn't want to pay the price that the stores are asking. So used dried cranberries and cherries, which I had on hand. I also added 1/3 cup coconut.
Also I didn't have the Macadamia Nuts so used all pecans. Didn't have the oat bran so just eliminated it. They where still very good.
I did sprinkle some Dream Carob Chips over the top after they where baked. I put them back in the oven until melted and spread with a knife.
By the way everything that needed to be chopped was done in the food processor before I did the dates so I didn't have to wash the food processor again.

I used a 11 by 7" pan as the bars would have been much thicker than I wanted. I would rather have them thinner. Don't feel so guilty when I eat one--or two!!!!

Yummy yummy.

Sweet Potato, Peanut Stew

This is a nice change from lots of the foods we as CHIPPERS eat. This is to be served on brown or wild rice, Quinoa or Couscous.

Directions:

1. In a large sprayed saucepan, saute: 2 med. onions and 3 to 4 cloves of garlic, minced.


2. Add: 2 bell red peppers, cut into 1/2" squares. Cook for 3 to 4 min.


3. Add: 1 tablespoon agave nectar, 1 tea cinnamon, 1-1/2 tea cumin, 1-1/2 tea. grated ginger. Stir well.


4. Cream: 1/2 to 3/4 cup peanut butter with a little water. (be sure to pour oil off of peanut butter.)


5. Add: 3 sweet potatoes, pealed and cut into 1/2" cubes, 1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes, 4 cups homemade broth, 1 teaspoon Wylers no sodium chicken broth, 1 15 oz can kidney beans drained and rinsed. Simmer for 30 min.


6. Add: Kelp(adds a salty taste, ground black pepper and Siracha sauce to taste.


7. Serve on top of brown wild rice, quinoa or couscous. Top with 1 cup unsalted dry roasted peanuts and chopped fresh cilantro.

Enjoy!!

Quesadillas

OMG!!!! These are absolutely excellent. What a treat as an appetizer, or as a meal. Kids of all ages will love them. Guess that includes me!!!! YEAH!!!!!

I found the recipe in the cookbook, Vegan Table by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau.

I did add Vegan Cheese to the recipe.

Ingredients:

• I used corn tortillas-Next time I will use Fat Flush Tortillas as they are larger (from Festival-Natural Food Aisle)


• Hummus of choice


• Salsa-I used Frog Ranch-lower in sodium


• Scallions-green onions-chopped fine


• Daiya Mozzarella Cheese-This is dairy free and melts-Festival Foods has it in the Natural Food Aisle.

Directions:

In a sprayed skillet (get it quite hot) place a tortilla shell that has been spread with hummus. Sprinkle cheese on top, top cheese with another tortilla shell. When shell get toasty brown (3-5 minutes) flip and toast the other side. When second side is golden brown, remove from heat and cut into quarters. Top with salsa and green onions. Serve hot.

Enjoy!!!!! Oh so very good!!

Have a super wonderful day!!

My Bay Leaf Bush

I bought this Bay Leaf Bush a year ago from Steins. I wanted to bring it along last evening to the Herb Class but decided against it as I did not get it at Northside Hardware.

I kept it outside last year in it's own pot and brought it in for the winter months, put it in my bow window in the dining room. It has been wonderful source for fresh bay leaves all year long. (which I use a lot )

Bay Leaves are through out my cupboards. I keep them in my glass jars that have dried beans, on my shelves where I have rice in a bag or around any other food in bags. I also put them in my silverware drawers and my lazy Susan or anywhere there is food stored. I also have a few on my counter behind a clock that is in the corner. Oh yes also where I store my kettles. Why do I do this???? Bugs do not like Bay Leaves. Any tiny bugs will not come into your bagged items if you have Bay Leaves around on your shelves, or in the jars. I had no problem with tiny little red ants on my counters because of the Bay Leaves. Yes red ants can get on anyone's counter.

So go out any buy a Bay Leaf Bush, Not just great for seasoning food, but wonderful for keeping those bugs at bay!!! Hope you find this interesting

Have a super wonderful bugless day!!!