A Perfect Weekend

Hi again, everyone!

It was a fun-filled weekend at the Baker house, let me tell you! We had absolutely beautiful weather and, like any green-thumbed gardener, I couldn’t wait to spend Saturday and Sunday in the great outdoors. But I was in such a rush to get up and at ‘em, that I accidentally banged my shin on my night table when I got out of bed. Ouch! Well, I wasn’t about to spend the day nursing a bruised leg, so I prepared one of my Grandma Putt’s favorite healers. I melted 5 teaspoons of petroleum jelly in a saucepan and added 1 teaspoon of hot pepper to it. Once the mixture had cooled, I rubbed it onto my sore shin, and soon, I was ready to dance a jig (or do some yardwork).

Once outdoors, I was rarin’ to grow. But what to do? My beds were in pretty good shape, and it wasn’t time to rake leaves yet. Then I remembered how much Shirley loves a bloomin’ bouquet of fresh, cut flowers. So I decided that a cut-flower garden would make the perfect addition to my yard. I found the perfect patch of ground and got to digging. After I finished removing the sod and loosening the soil, I mixed 25 pounds of gypsum, 10 pounds of organic plant food, and 5 pounds of bonemeal in a wheelbarrow, and worked this into the bed (approximately 100 square feet). This super blend will make the soil in my new bed as rich, fertile, and loose as possible come spring planting time. I can hardly wait!

And what would any perfect autumn weekend be without fresh apple cider? So we went down to the local mill for some warm doughnuts and a glass of just-made cider. It was delicious! Since I knew one glass was not going to be enough, I brought a gallon home and whipped up a batch of my Grandma Putt’s Famous Spiced Cider. It’s fast, easy, and oh-so-good. We spent the evening out on the back porch, soaking up the last of the beautiful weather, sipping this special brew until it was gone. If you want to make some for your family, mix 3 qts. of cider, 1 tsp. of cloves, 1 whole nutmeg, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1/2 cup of sugar in a pan, and simmer for about 5 minutes. Then strain, and serve while still warm. One taste, and you’ll love it as much as we do!