Periwinkle in the Fall

Vinca is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, native to Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia. The English name periwinkle is shared with the related genus Catharanthus.

September in central Florida is still bright, sunny, and hot. The high temperatures are lower than August, and the low temperatures are in the 70’s (F) instead of August’s 80’s.

Read More

Sweet Autumn Forest New Printable

As the seasons change and the leaves start to turn, it’s time for sweet autumn dreams.  Splashes of color on the hills and frost on the lawn mean the earth is giving us one last burst of color before the cold darkness of winter. Take a ride in the country and glimpse the wonder of God’s work. The woods are filled with colors, and the animals prepare for winter. A time for Sweet Autumn Forest (16″ x 20″). You know I think this is my favorite graphic that I’ve made. I hope you like it.

Read More

Sunset on Clearwater Beach, Florida

Since my surgery in April, my neck and back have greatly decreased pain. Unfortunately, my hands and arms still have pain and occasional numbness. I was tested and both arms have carpel tunnel. I see the surgeon the first week in October to discuss surgery. Even if the surgery greatly helps, I want to sell my house and move to a condo. There the lawn is taken care of. I’ve gone through 3 lawn guys in 4 years. In Florida, you need to mow your grass year round. In January you don’t need to mow for a month, but you still need to maintain it. I’ll really miss my garden, but I can’t really take care of it like I should.

Read More

How to Store Apples to Keep Fresh Longer

Last week we discussed visiting apple orchards and cider mills. I love a crisp, fresh apple. If you like to pick your own or buy from apple orchards, you probably know what I mean. My apple wish would be my apples always taste like that, but we all have eaten older, softer apples. They’re good but not great. I love the way a bowl of apples on the table looks, but do not love the apples after a couple of days. Kept at room temperature, whole apples will only stay fresh for about a week. Apples ripen six to ten times faster at room temperature than if they were refrigerated. How do the grocery stores sell fresh apples year round? Science.

Read More

Apple Orchards For Family Fun

Back in 2016 I first wrote about visiting apple orchards in September for family fun.  In 2020 I updated the post with new photos and information. Today’s post again has been updated with new information about apple orchard fall activities.

September is typically the best time to pick apples. Generally they should be harvested between late summer and late October. While different varieties of apples ripen at different times, and the harvest time varies each year, early fall is usually a reliable time for harvesting apples. If you are lucky enough to live in an area where apples grow, you know how wonderful apple orchards and cider mills are. My sister lives in Michigan and after Labor Day, everyone loves to go to the cider mills, apple orchards and farms. If you want to pick your own apples, there are orchards waiting for you. If you just want to buy beautiful fruit and cider, go to the old-time cider mills.

Read More

Healthy Chicken Breakfast Sausage

Sausage is eaten in many cultures around the world. The ingredients may vary but the idea is the same: ground meat, often pork or a mix of meats and other ingredients with spices mixed together. Since the American culture has influences from many lands, our sausages are borrowed or adapted from those cultures like the American hot dog or frankfurter. Sausages are known for their shape when placed in a skin while many of us in America grew up eating sausage patties for breakfast.

Read More