Middle-Eastern Pita Sandwiches

Delicious and healthy, too. I usually double the dressing ingredients. You can use parsley or fresh mint instead of cilantro. You can also add some well drained, diced cucumber to the salad.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground lamb
• 3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1/2 cup water
• 4 pita breads
• 2 cups torn salad greens
• 1/2 cup grated carrot
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
• 1 large tomato, diced

Dressing:

• 1 (8 3/4 oz.) can garbanzo beans, drained
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 2 Tbsp. chopped parsley
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1/4 tsp. dillweed

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Mix well the lamb, bread crumbs, raisin, eggs, cilantro, garlic, lemon juice, and water. Shape into 16 meatballs and bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. I use my broiler pan so that the meatballs drain into the bottom pan, and don't sit in the grease.

Meanwhile, mix the salad greens, carrot, scallions, and tomato in a bowl, and make the dressing: mix all the ingredients for the dressing in a blender or food processor. Cover and process until smooth (or mash the beans thoroughly with a fork, add the remaining ingredients, and mix well). Set aside.

To assemble: A few minutes before the meatballs are browned and well done, put the pitas in the oven. Use one pita for each sandwich. This is also very good with na'an, wraps, or squaw bread. Put 4 meatballs on each piece of bread. Drizzle with 1 Tbsp. dressing, top with salad mix, and drizzle with another Tbsp. dressing. If you have fresh mint, it is a delicious garnish.

Servings:4

Prep Time:30 Minutes

Cooking Time:20 Minutes

Source: The Sun-Maid Cookbook, 1980

Tuna Melts for Two

In tough economic times like these, I always keep cans of tuna in my pantry. Rather than just making the regular boring tuna sandwich, tuna melts are still cheap and tasty.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans of tuna
• 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
• 2 Tbsp. onion
• 2 Tbsp. relish
• splash of Tabasco sauce
• splash of Worcestershire sauce
• 4 slices of bread
• Cheddar or Mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Put tuna, mayonnaise, onion, relish, Tabasco and Worcestershire in a bowl and mix well using a fork. Lay your bread out on a baking sheet, spread mixture evenly on each slice. Generously grate cheese over each. Bake for 10 minutes.

Servings:2 to 4

Prep Time:5 Minutes

Cooking Time:10 Minutes

By Patricia from Maple Falls, WA

Tuna Melts For Two From Daughter Dusty

Ingredients:

• 2 cans of White tuna
• 3 Tbsp. mayonnaise
• 1/2 of a Chopped Walla Walla onion
• 1 Tsp. garlic Crushed
• 4 Chopped Sweet Pickles
• splash of Worcestershire sauce
• 4 slices of bread
• Cheddar or Swiss cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter

Directions:

Preheat Skillet on med heat.  Mix  tuna, mayonnaise, onion, pickles, garlic and Worcestershire in a bowl and mix well using a fork. Lay your bread out and butter one side of each piece. Spread mixture evenly on each slice. Generously grate cheese over each. Fry slowly each side until brown and crispy.

Serve Hot

Servings:2 to 4

Prep Time:5 Minutes

Cooking Time:10 Minutes

By Dusty from Washougal Wa

Italian Beef Sandwiches

 Delicious!

Ingredients:

• 8 lbs. rolled beef roast
• 7 1/2 cups water
• 4 beef bouillon cubes
• 1 Tbsp. oregano
• 8 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 2 Tbsp. basil
• 2 pkg. dry Italian dressing mix
• 1/3 cup oil

Directions:

Bake the roast and slice thin. Mix remaining ingredients in saucepan, bring to boil and pour over sliced beef. Marinate for 2-4 days in refrigerator. Heat before serving. Serve on hoagie-style buns.

Servings:12-18

Prep Time:2-4 Days

Cooking Time:varies - long enough to cook roast

By Robin from Washington, IA

Chinese Perennial Primrose

My daughter was asked to find me a perennial primrose and came home with this little darling.

I will be planting it in the front somewhere.

Primula -vialii
 ________________________________________________ 

Family: Primulaceae Genus: Primula (PRIM-yew-luh) (Info) Species: vialii (vy-AL-ee-eye) (Info)

Comman Name: Chinese Perennial Primrose

Category:
Perennials

Height:
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)

Spacing:
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)

Hardiness:
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)

Sun Exposure:
Light Shade

Danger:
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction

Bloom Color:
Violet/Lavender

Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer

Foliage:
Deciduous

Other details:
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings

Soil pH requirements:
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Patent Information:
Non-patented

Propagation Methods:
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors

Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible

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

____________________________________________________
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.

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

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

Camera Lens Bling

Too cute !

Check out this great tutorial and then get wild with crystals and ribbons flowers wow Love this one
Found HERE

Paper Flower Tutorial

This cute paper Flower tutorial can be found HERE

Another Chiffon Flower Tutorial

This is another much simpler chiffon Flower tutorial.

Found HERE

Decline of our Birds

Just me or can anyone else figure out if you take the food away the birds will die ??

Common Birds In Decline

What's happening to birds we know and love?
                   
Audubon's unprecedented analysis of forty years of citizen-science bird population data from our own Christmas Bird Count plus the Breeding Bird Survey reveals the alarming decline of many of our most common and beloved birds.

Since 1967 the average population of the common birds in steepest decline
 has fallen by 68 percent; some individual species nose-dived as much as 80
 percent. All 20 birds on the national Common Birds in Decline list lost at least
 half their populations in just four decades.
The findings point to serious problems with both local habitats and national
environmental trends. Only citizen action can make a difference for the birds
 and the state of our future.

Which Species? Why?

________________________________________________

Invasive Plants 


In some species, cultivars of a perennial are not as invasive as others. Use this list to check into the
plants you are considering for your garden.

List

Achillea spp. (Yarrow) - invasive roots
Aegopodium spp. (Goutweed) - reseeds, invasive roots, use in confined areas
Ajuga (Bugleweed) - invasive roots, excellent ground cover in shade, use in confined areas

Ajuga (Bugleweed) - invasive roots, excellent ground cover in shade, use in confined areas
Anchusa spp  - reseeds, invasive roots
Artemesia spp. (esp. Wormwood) - invasive roots
Borago officinalis (Borage) - reseeds, invasive roots
Campanula rapunculoides (Creeping bellflower) – invasive roots
Centaurea cyanus (Bachelor button) – reseeds
Cerastium tomentosum (Snow in the summer) - invasive roots, can overwhelm desirable plants
           in a rock garden.                        
Chrysarrthenium parthenium (Feverfew) - reseeds
Convollaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) - invasive roots, excellent ground cover if confined
Leucanthamum sp. (Oxeye daisy, Shasta daisy) - reseeds, invasive roots
Lunaria annua (Money plant) - reseeds
Lysimachia nummularia  (Creeping Jenny, Creeping Charlie) - invasive roots
Lythrum salicaria (Purple loosestrife) – noxious weed, DO NOT PLANT
Macleaya cordata (Plume poppy) - reseeds, invasive roots, use in large containers
Mentha  (Mints, esp. Catnip) - reseeds, invasive roots
Monarda didyma (Beebalm) - invasive roots
Myosotis (Forget-me-not) - reseeds
Oenothera spp. (Evening Primrose, esp. speciosa ‘Rosea’) - invasive roots
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper) - reseeds
Phalaris arundinacea var. picta (Ribbon grass) - invasive roots, confine in a container
Physalis alkekengi (Chinese lantern) - invasive roots
Physostegia virginiana (Obedient plant) - reseeds, invasive roots  
Polygonum cuspidatum (False bamboo, Japanese Knotweed) - invasive roots
Rosa (Roses, esp. wild roses, brambles) - invasive roots, use in native plantings or where
                                                                   the roots can  be confined
Sedum spp.  esp. ‘Golden Acre’ - this and other sedums drop pieces that will re-root
Stach’s bysantina (Lamb’s ear) - creeping stems root and spread
Tradescantia virginiana (Spiderwort) - invasive roots
Veronica spp. (Speedwells, esp. creeping speedwell) - invasive roots, pieces drop off and re-root
Viola spp. (esp. Viola odorata) - reseeds and becomes a problem in lawns
Yucca spp. - invasive roots

Sea Thrift in the Little Yard

Armeria maritima
Common Name: sea thrift

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Plumbaginaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Native Range: Mountain and coastal areas in the northern hemisphere
Height: 0.5 to 1 feet
Spread: 0.5 to 1 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Color: Pink, White
Bloom Description: Pink to white
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry
Maintenance: Medium
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Tolerates: Dry Soil, Shallow, Rocky Soil, Drought
Uses: Groundcover, Will Naturalize

Culture:
Best grown in infertile, dry, well-drained soils in full sun.
Foliage mounds tend to rot in the center if grown in moist,
 fertile soils or in heavy clay. Good drainage is essential.
 Deadhead spend flower stems to encourage additional bloom.

Noteworthy Characteristics
Thrift or sea pink is a compact, low-growing plant which forms a dense,
mounded tuft of stiff, linear, grass-like, dark green leaves (to 4" tall).
Tufts will spread slowly to 8-12" wide. Tiny, pink to white flowers
bloom in mid spring in globular clusters (3/4-1" wide) atop slender,
naked stalks rising well above the foliage to 6-10" tall. Sporadic
additional flowering may occur throughout the summer.
Flower clusters are subtended by purplish, papery bracts.
In the wild, thrift or sea pink commonly grows in saline environments
along coastal areas where few other plants can grow well,
hence the common name.

Problems No serious insect or disease problems.

The Little Pink Mounds in the back and around the tree is the Sea Thrift

Right on the tree trunk are chives ready to go to seed.

.