Friday, June 22, 2012

Tinkerbelle Lilac

I have two planted in the front yard and this is there second year.
The bees and butterflies spent weeks on them.
I recommend this little lilac and will be updateing photos

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Tinkerbelle Lilac
Syringa "Tinkerbelle"
Syringa "Tinkerbelle" flowers
This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid
Height: 5 feet
Spread: 4 feet
Sunlight: Full
Hardiness Zone: 3b
Group/Class: Fairytale Series Lilac

Description:
A new hybrid introduction related to the Meyer lilac, featuring showy spikes
of spicy fragrant true pink flowers in late spring, small rounded foliage and
a compact habit of growth; neat and tidy, an excellent garden shrub; full sun
and well-drained soil
Ornamental Features:
Tinkerbelle Lilac is blanketed in stunning panicles of fragrant pink flowers at
the ends of the branches in late spring, which emerge from distinctive crimson
flower buds. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It has dark green foliage
throughout the season. The small pointy leaves do not develop any appreciable fall
color. The fruit is not ornamentally significant. The smooth gray bark is not
particularly outstanding.
Landscape Attributes:
Tinkerbelle Lilac is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a more or less
rounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants
with less refined foliage.
This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering
to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for
attracting butterflies to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Tinkerbelle Lilac is recommended for the following landscape applications;
General Garden Use
Mass Planting
Hedges/Screening
Accent
Plant Characteristics:

Tinkerbelle Lilac will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet.
It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer
plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate,
and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry
and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape
conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban
pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Leek Casserole

Ingredients

4 lbs. potatoes, mashed
1 lb. bacon, cooked and chopped
4 medium leek
3 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. flour
1 1/2 cups milk
3 cups grated cheddar
salt and pepper

Directions

Slice Leek into thin rings and cook in water with salt until tender. Drain the leeks well and set aside.

In a pan melt the butter, then stir in flour. Once it's blended well, stir in the milk a little at a time, making a white sauce. Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups of cheddar. You could add spices of your choice at this point, such as nutmeg. Add the cooked leeks to the sauce and stir well.

Take 1/2 of the mashed potatoes and make a layer in a 9X13 inch pan. Next layer in the leek, then the rest of the potatoes. Cover with last cup of cheese, and sprinkle with bacon.

Bake in 350 degree F oven for 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Source: This is one of my Mom's standby recipes that her family of 9 children enjoyed without complaining!

By LovingLynden from Lynden, WA

Onion Potato Pie

Ingredients:

4 cups shredded hash browns (it calls for frozen, but I use boiled, grated potatoes)
5 Tbsp. melted butter (You know me, low fat. I used 3 Tbsp. light olive oil.)
1/2 tsp. salt.
1 large onion, diced
1/2 cup sweet pepper (red or green)
1 cup diced ham - optional (It didn't call for any meat, but I had some leftover ham to add.)
1 cup shredded cheese (any kind you like cheddar, Swiss, or low fat *smile* Mozzarella)
3 eggs slightly beaten together with 1/3 cup of milk

Directions:

Mix hash browns and 5 Tbsp. melted butter (or 3 Tbsp. olive oil), and salt. Press this mixture into the bottom and around the sides of a greased 9 inch pie pan.

Bake at 425 degrees F for 25-30 or until edges are browned. Cool to room temperature. Reduce the oven to 350 degrees F.

Saute onion, pepper and ham in remaining butter or oil until pepper and onion is tender. Spoon into potato crust. Sprinkle the cheese over the onion mixture.

Pour the egg-milk mixture over the top. Bake 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees F or until knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

Let stand 5 minutes before serving. 6-8 servings.

Very good leftovers to heat in the microwave. This could be started earlier in the day, and refrigerated. You could even bake the crust ahead, then just pour in the ingredients and bake as directed. If the ingredients are cold from the fridge, it might take a few minutes extra to bake it.

By Harlean from Hot Springs, Arkansas