by admin on September 3, 2010
I am a pathetic gardener. I can maintain my watering schedule for the tomatoes and flowers until about early August, and then I just lose interest. It happens every year. The tomatoes are still hanging in there, but the flowers are goners.
Since this have been happening forever, we only planted tomatoes and potatoes this year. Very Excellent Husband Don dug a few of the Yellow Finns, I pulled some of the Better Boys and our family Sunday Supper consisted of extremely yummy BLTs and rosemary roasted potatoes. For the rest of the summer’s bounty, I’m leaving the growing to our local farmers.
We are so lucky to have a fantastic farmer’s market here in Boulder. I’ve been a few times this year and it did not disappoint, with beautiful veggies, tasty bread and cheese, and spectacular flowers. However, the “scene” at the market is not my thing. It’s crowded with people and strollers and dogs, it’s expensive and it’s downtown amid parking hell.
I prefer a good, old-fashioned farm stand. Munson’s, famous for their corn, is close by and I love scooting out there to grab something late in the afternoon to grill for dinner. But this year, we are extra lucky because our neighbors, Liz and Ernie Kois, have started their own farm stand.
It’s called Abbey Farm, and it’s great. They leased some land, started planting, and are now picking awesome stuff daily. The chickens have started laying as well, so I’ll be able to pick up some eggs soon. They have family on the Western Slope of Colorado, so in addition to the veggies and eggs they have fantastic watermelon and cantaloupes.
I add to my own tomato crop with their beautiful heirloom varieties, and I’ve had a drip-down-your-arms-to-your-elbow, eaten-over-the-kitchen-sink tomato sandwich every day this week. I also made tasty refrigerator pickles with some of their cucumbers that are out of this world!
So do yourself a favor – go find a farm stand and grab some produce from a local farmer. You’ll help keep him on the land AND feed your family well.
by Nancy on September 1, 2010
Nancy’s daughter just got all her college textbooks for under $200.00 by using this helpful guide from Lifehacker.
Have empty walls screaming for some art work? Check out these 12 ideas for frugal art.
Cooks Illustrated recently reviewed eight Italian imported pastas. Are they worth the price? Find out here.
You see a dress in your favorite store for $200.00. Later you see it online for $50.00. You might think it’s a great deal or you might question the quality because of the reduced price. If these thoughts go through your head you are experiencing the anchoring effect. It’s a fascinating study of human behavior and you can read more about it here.
Classics endure because they work. Here’s an informative article about the first seamless cup bra, created 20 years ago and still selling like hotcakes.
by Nancy on August 26, 2010
It sounds pathetic but I had a birthday this month and asked for an iron. It’s one I’ve been coveting. Now that I have it, I keep asking myself why didn’t I get this a long time ago?
I use an iron more than the average person. Not because I iron all my clothes but because I sew and to sew well you need a good iron. Every week I go to sewing studio where I get to use wonderful equipment. That is where I learned irons are not created equal and began to notice how less efficient the iron I had at home was. I also learned there is a difference between ironing (running an iron back and forth over cloth to get out wrinkles) and pressing (applying heat in an up and down motion to shape cloth so it lies correctly over the body.)
The iron I got for my birthday is a Rowenta Steamium. Here is why I love it:
- It’s heavy. With a heavy iron you don’t have to press down as hard. I can iron efficiently with less time and effort. That’s particularly nice if you are ironing big pieces of fabric like tablecloths. (Note: if you have smaller hands you may not like it.)
- It generates heavy-duty steam. The tiny holes in the soleplate make for concentrated, efficient blasts of steam, perfect for setting a crease or getting out tough wrinkles. I was considering getting a steamer but this iron creates steam while the iron sits vertically meaning you can steam pants or a dress hanging on a hanger.
- It has a large water reservoir. I’m lazy and don’t like to constantly be refilling my iron with water. You use regular tap water. No fussing around with filters or buying distilled water. The spout where you pour in the water is large making it easier to fill. With my old iron I always poured too fast and ended up with water overflowing making a big puddle on my ironing board pad.
- It has what the company calls a “high precision tip.” It’s perfect for fine detailing and unlike other irons there are steam holes up in the tip so you can get steam in tight places.
- The soleplate (bottom of the iron) is super smooth. This means it glides easier. The surface has a special coating that helps it resist getting that icky, gunky coating that sends you running to the store for iron cleaner (usually in last-minute desperation.)
Those are the main reasons I love this iron. It’s definitely an upgrade iron. One of those little indulgences you can spoil yourself with after you’ve given your old one to your college student 
. Heads up, it is pricey. I shopped around and found the best deal at Bed Bath & Beyond (use one of their 20% off coupons for even more savings.) If you’re in the market for a new iron check out the Rowenta Steamium, it’s just the right thing!
I am a pathetic gardener. I can maintain my watering schedule for the tomatoes and flowers until about early August, and then I just lose interest. It happens every year. The tomatoes are still hanging in there, but the flowers are goners.
