2009-Jul-6 - Dealing with Moles in the Garden
Posted By Crystal Miller
Moles are such a huge nuisance in my garden. They dig tunnels all through and wreak havoc with my veggies, uprooting them and such. The watering we do sometimes ends up down the mole hole instead of the plant roots. I was getting very tired of fighting them for another year. So I started doing a little research on how to get them out of my garden. Poison was my first thought.. but I didn’t want that stuff in my garden. Traps are effective but expensive. So I looked for more affordable remedies. I came up with one that is easy to do. You make a mixture of castor oil and Joy dish soap (2:1 ratio). You add a few tablespoons of this mixture to a gallon of water and pour it down their holes.
I have been doing this with some success. The reason it can work is that moles have a heightened sense of smell and can’t stand the smell of castor oil. They also don’t like the feel of it on them. After a couple of applications some of the holes were not bothered any more but I still had some. So the next time I put in more of the castor oil mix into my gallon of water and made the applications a little stronger. I had been using 2 to 3T tablespoons per gallon.. so I doubled that. Well I am happy to say that yesterday while in the garden I saw that all my mole holes had not been disturbed again.. so success maybe?  We will see.
If my pesky mole just makes holes in other areas of the garden I will try another solution I read the other day and that is bubble gum. You drop pieces of bubble gum (or Juicy Fruit I also read they like) into their holes. The reviews I read said this was effective and will end the problem permanently! I guess their digestive systems can’t handle gum.. they are eaters not chewers.. haa.. haa. So if castor oil does not solve the problem.. I will try bubble gum. 
Just thought I would share this bit of mole info for anyone else battling them in their gardens this summer.. |
Comments (0)
:: Post A
Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
Monday, July 6, 2009 - The proper way to eat a birthday cake
Let me tell you of a story about a little boy who turned one year old on Thursday. He really enjoyed his birthday cake ..... really!!!!
Let me show you the story of how it went.
All gone!!!
Happy Birthday Sweetie Pie! |
Comments (1)
:: Permanent Link
|
Sunday, July 5, 2009 - Happy 4th of July
Posted By Happyowl
Sunday, July 5, 2009 - Happy Birthday America!
Happy Birthday America! Today I am especially grateful for the wonderful freedoms we enjoy. The freedom to worship, the freedom to praise God, the freedom to own our own property and live and work as we wish. For all these freedoms and more I very thankful for!
I pray each one of you enjoys a blessed & wonderful day!
Gloria
 |
Comments (0)
:: Post A
Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
Sunday, July 5, 2009 - Praying for the Sun to Make an Appearance Today!!!
Posted By Gabbie
Happy Birthday America!!!! Let's all cheer for the Red, White and Blue!!! I love the Fourth of July, and the cookouts, family gatherings, and fireworks. But this year, we aren't sure if there is going to be much fireworks. We might be able to still arrange the cookout, and just eat indoors. But is is difficult to celebrate with fireworks when it is raining!! UGH! The weather reports aren't sure if the rain will stop before sunset and the big firework displays or not. DARN IT!
Matthew took off earlier this morning with our Noah, 3 years old, to pick out some fireworks. We always wait until the 4th to buy ours because of the wonderful sales they hold the day of. He alsos picked up some sausage and milk on the way home for our breakfast....sausage gravy and biscuits!! YUMMY! He even made breakfast for us. Matthew never cooked (except for Hamburger Helper) until he met me. LOL Now he is the breakfast expert and won't let me in the kitchen when he is making pancakes or his specialty of biscuits and gravy.
The rest of the day we are going to hang out, relax (finish putting away laundry, do a few dishes) and just enjoy having daddy home! Tonight we are going to my brother's house for a cookout (possibly cook in...depending on the whether), and then back to town for the city wide fireworks display. I am looking forward to seeing my family today. We are all so busy, and it seems working schedules conflict that we don't get together more often. Looking forward to seeing how big my neice Megan is getting with her first pregnancy. She is due in October, and I am sure she isn't much bigger than her little frame was before, but maybe a tiny bit.
Matthew's family is all scattered this weekend. We made a comment last night that if everyone wasn't gone, we would have loved to get them all together at our house this weekend. Oh well. His parents church is having a 3 day meeting, his sister lives in Washington,DC area and unable to come home, and his other sister, her hubby and 5 year old daughter just started their 5 day trek back to Missouri from California and today. They visited Sea World, Disney, etc. and had lots of fun. I can't wait to hear about their trip!
|
Comments (0)
:: Post A
Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
Saturday, July 4, 2009 - July 4th
| I do hope each and every one of you out there have a safe and happy 4th of July. Remember to thank God for the freedom that we share and the ability to do what we like, go where we'd like, and to live and love like we want. Sometimes we take these things for granted, I know I tend to. Have a great day! |
Comments (0)
:: Post A
Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
Sat 4 Jul 2009 - Patriotic Fruit Pizza
 Patriotic Fruit Pizza
1 (16 1/2 oz.) pkg. refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 C of sugar, divided
2 T of cornstarch
1/2 C of orange juice
1/4 C of lemon juice
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, room temperature
1 T of milk
1 t orange peel, grated
2/3 C of heavy whipping cream
1 apple, peeled and sliced thin
1 1/2 C of fresh strawberries, halved
1 C seedless dark purple grapes, halved
1 banana, sliced thin
1 C of fresh raspberries
1/2 C of fresh blueberries
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the cookie dough and let it stand at room temperature for 10 minutes.
Carefully spread the dough onto an ungreased pizza pan. Bake the dough 15 minutes or until a golden brown. Remove and allow the dough to cool on the pan.
Dump half of the sugar into a small saucepan. Add the cornstarch and toss slightly to combine. Pour the orange and lemon juice into the mixture.
Place the pan over medium heat bringing the mixture to a steady boil.
Continue boiling for 2 minutes stirring constantly then remove the pan from the heat, setting aside to cool. Cube the cream cheese and place in a large mixing bowl. Pour the milk over the cream cheese. Add the orange peel and the remaining sugar. Beat the mixture until blended together well and smooth.
Place the whipping cream into a small mixing bowl. Beat the whipping cream until soft peaks begin to form. Fold the whipping cream into the cream cheese mixture until blended in well. Spread the mixture over the cooled crust. Place the apple slices around the outside edge of the crust.
Next layer the strawberry halves around the crust. Circle the halved grapes on next. Add the bananas to the ring. Place the raspberries onto the crust next. Finish the ring with the blueberries. Spread the reserved glaze evenly over the all the fruit. Place covered in the refrigerator for about 1 hour or until chilled.
Makes 12 servings
Preparation Time: approximately 30 minutes |
Comments (0)
:: Post A
Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
Sat 4 Jul 2009 - Firecracker Cupcakes
 Firecracker Cupcakes
1 (18 oz. ) box of devils food cake mix
1 1/4 C of sour cream
3 eggs
1/3 C of canola oil
2 T instant coffee crystals
1/2 t ground chipotle chili pepper
1 (11.5 oz.) pkg. semisweet chocolate chunks
2 t flour
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 C butter, room temperature
1/2 t vanilla
2 1/2 C of powdered sugar
Red and blue food coloring
2 oz. semi sweet chocolate, chopped
1/4 C of whipping cream
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners. Dump the devils food cake mix into a large mixing bowl. Add in the sour cream, eggs, and oil. Sprinkle in the coffee crystals and pepper.
With an electric mixer on low speed beat the ingredients for 45 seconds.
Adjust the speed to medium and continue beating 2 minutes making the batter thick.
Place the flour in a small bowl. Add the chocolate chunks and toss to coat.
Fold the chocolate into the cupcake batter. Fill the prepared muffin cups 3/4 full of the batter.
Bake 20 minutes or until the tops bounce back when lightly touched. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes then remove to wire racks to continue cooling.
Place the cream cheese and the butter into a mixing bowl and beat on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add the vanilla and beat until combined.
Slowly beat in the powdered sugar until the mixture reaches a frosting consistency.
Separate the frosting into 3 small bowls and tint one bowl with the red food coloring and 1 bowl with the blue food coloring. Frost the cupcakes dividing between the 3 different colors.
Place the chopped chocolate into a small mixing bowl. Heat the whipping cream in a saucepan over low heat to just boiling. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes then whisk until smooth.
Place the mixture into a sealable baggie. Snip one corner of the baggie and drizzle the chocolate over the frosted cupcakes.
Makes 24 cupcakes
|
Comments (0)
:: Post A
Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
Saturday, July 4, 2009 - Happy 4th of July 2009!
Tomorrow will be a busy day here at my home. Lots of folks are coming by for my annual Independence Day Cookout. Here is this year's menu:
Deviled Eggs
Grilled Burgers and Hot Dogs
Potato Salad
Spaghetti Salad
Pea Salad
Baked Beans
Cole Slaw & Hot Dog Sauce
Relish/Toppings Plate
5-cup Fruit Salad
Cream Pies
Patriotic Cupcakes (red, white, & blue!)
Watermelon
Sweet Tea
Actually, its just like most of you will be having tomorrow--an All-American Cookout with all the fixin's! However, first and foremost in the day will be prayers of thanksgiving to God for the freedoms we are given each and every day. Many lives were lost, many others dedicated to insuring our freedom, and I am ever so thankful for this. Our God is faithful, and we must be also.
May you and your family and loved ones have a most blessed and safe Independence Day this year!
Hugs,
Cynthia Robin |
Comments (0)
:: Post A
Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
Saturday, July 4, 2009 - Fourth of July Plans & Menu
 I have been planning our weekend. Tomorrow we will enjoy a quiet day at home.. just family ( all 12 of us!). We always enjoy a special meal on America's B-day.. so this year I will be making grilled steaks ( a rare treat) , baked potatoes, homemade baked beans, watermelon & homemade apple pie! It's not the fourth w/ out homemade apple pie!
Sunday our Church is holding an evening meeting and then a potluck meal. I'll be brining watermelon, lemon meringue pies and spinach salad. The girls are making cookies & cupcakes. We are also going to bring a pinata & water balloons! It should be a fun evening!
Fourth of July is one of our favorite holidays! We sure enjoy celebrating and taking time to remember how blessed we are in this land of the brave and home of the free! I am also thankful for the freedom and perfect law of liberty thru Christ our Lord ! Jesus died so ALL men could be set free! How grateful I am for that! We are no longer under the bondage of the law -- but are free thru the grace and liberty in Christ! Thank you Jesus for your precious blood shed on calvary so all men can be free!
Hope you all enjoy a blessed Holiday!
Gloria |
Comments (2)
:: Post A
Comment! :: Permanent Link
|
|
