With the summer in full swing, and farm fresh produce on stands on every corner, you really can experience the wonderful taste of home grown fruits and vegetables.

The texture, aroma and freshness of these products is superb, and worth every penny you spend on it, and more!

Here are some tips, from ecomii.com.

Today’s Tip: Taste the True Meaning of Farm Fresh

What?

Reduce your “farm to for” time – and support your local economy – by shopping at farmer’s markets.

How?

Visit www.localharverst.org, to find farmer’s markets in your area.

Then bring your own bags to cart home your uber-fresh produce.

Why?

Locally grown food is better for your health, and better for the planet.

It’s usually cultivated with organic methods, and it reduces both transportation and packaging waste.

Did you know?

Over 3,000 acres of farmland are lost to development every year.

Help slow this trend by keeping local farmers in business.

Please do the right thing, and shop at your local farmer’s markets and farm stands.

If you have been reading my posts for the past few years, you already know that one of my favorite pass times is spending time outdoors in my garden, and taking pictures of the Beauty of Nature.

I love planting veggies and herbs, but also totally adore flowers.

Today I will share some of the pictures I took of few of my currently blooming plants.

My East side flower patch, with some of the flowers already blooming, and others are just getting  ready do bloom a little later on.

Irises and Sweet Williams loving the sunny weather today.

What a natural beauty of an Iris flower.

As you can see, I am not the only one enjoying these gorgeous blooms.

A perfect place to sit down and relax.

My youngest son built this bench, in his late teens, as a Mother’s Day gift to me, so it creates a very special place for me to sit down and relax, surrounded by blooming plants.  There are also three, corner openings for flower pots, but I usually leave them open.

I was very proud of him, since he did a very nice job with his first ever woodworking project (now he is my computer specialist and financial adviser).  I am so lucky!!

Are you saying – Is this a Poinsettia? – You are correct, this is my Poinsettia…no, I am not growing it outside.

I had to share a picture of this Poinsettia with you, since it is in my care for two years now.  If you recall my previous post, I purchased it for Christmas two years ago.

I preserved it for a whole year as per the instructions I also posted, and this is how it looks like today.

As you can see, it’s still doing very well.

Now my challenge is to keep it going for as  long as I can, and  I will definitely share my progress with you.

I am very curious to find out how long this Poinsettia will last, and still keep a descent shape.

Did any of you save your Christmas Poinsettias?

How are they doing?

Please share your stories.

Broccoli is not the most popular vegetable, being part of the cabbage family, but it is very rich in vitamin C, and a great source of fiber.

One of our presidents admitted that he does not like broccoli, but none the less, it is a popular veggie in the US, and equally gaining in popularity in Europe.

Broccoli is mostly served cooked or steamed, but lately it has been making its way up to the top of the list as a veggie served raw, with dips, or in salads.

I will share my recipe for a raw broccoli salad, which is great any time, and very appropriate for picnics, and parties.

See TIP below for a vegetarian version of this salad.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs fresh broccoli flowerets, cut up to bite size pieces
• 2 carrots, shredded on a large eye shredder
• 1 small red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 5 slices bacon, cooked to a crisp, and crumbled (or use bacon chips/crumbs)
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Light Mayonnaise (I use Hellmann’s Light)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 Tbs sugar

Directions:

1. In a large bowl combine all veggies.
2. Toss with Cheddar cheese.
3. In a small bowl, prepare the salad dressing, by mixing together mayonnaise, sour cream, and sugar.
4. Add to broccoli salad mixture.
5. Toss to coat.
6. Sprinkle with bacon crumbs.
7. Chill until serving.

Very refreshing veggie salad.

TIP:  For a vegetarian version of this salad, omit the bacon crumbs, and add chopped nuts or dried fruits, such walnuts and raisins, or cranberries.

Also, if you are not a big fan of mayonnaise, you may use Greek Yogurt.

Here I am again with a great tip for you, on Living Green, saving Mother Earth, energy and money.

As previously, I found this tip on ecomii website, and thought it would do us all lots of good to apply their suggestions to our every day, “computer busy” , life.

If you are like me, you work with a computer 8-10 hours at work, and then check your email at home, read the latest news, check out other websites, or work on your own blog post.

I am sure more households now have more than one computer under the same roof, so just think how helpful this suggestion really would be for all of us.

Todays tip: Don’t Snooze on Computer Efficiency

What?
Save energy – and reduce global warming – with your computer’s sleep mode.

How?
Be a responsible technophile. Use sleep mode, and not screensavers, whenever you’re away. The forgetful type? Adjust your power settings to have hibernation kick in sooner.

Why?

Computers are energy hogs, and screensavers are worse. In fact, screensavers use a lot more energy than your computer normally does – two times as much if they are graphically complex.

Did You Know?

A desktop computer left on for a full year would release 1,500 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Okay, But How Hard Is It?
As easy as letting your computer nap during lunch

Someone shared this lovely and touching post with me, via email (original author unknown), so I needed so much to share it with all of you.

Please take  couple of minutes to read the full text, and I promise you will not regret it.

This post convinced me that actions speak louder than words, and that time is precious to everyone in a different way.

Give a hug to someone special today, and offer a smile to those who have none to give back.

THE CAB RIDE
I
arrived at the address and honked the horn.
After waiting a few minutes
I walked to the
door and knocked.. ‘Just a minute’, answered a
frail, elderly voice. I could hear something
being dragged across the floor.
After
a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in
her 90’s stood before me. She was wearing a
print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned
on it, like somebody out of a 1940’s
movie.
By her side was a small nylon
suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had
lived in it for years. All the furniture was
covered with sheets.
There were no
clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils
on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard
box filled with photos and
glassware.
‘Would you carry my bag
out to the car?’ she said. I took the suitcase
to the cab, then returned to assist the
woman.
She took my arm and we walked
slowly toward the curb.
She kept
thanking me for my kindness. ‘It’s nothing’, I
told her.. ‘I just try to treat my passengers
the way I would want my mother
treated’.
‘Oh, you’re such a good
boy’, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave
me an address and then asked, ‘Could you drive
through downtown?’
‘It’s not the
shortest way,’ I answered
quickly..
‘Oh, I don’t mind,’ she
said. ‘I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a
hospice’.
I looked in the rear-view
mirror. Her eyes were glistening. ‘I don’t have
any family left,’ she continued in a soft
voice.. ‘The doctor says I don’t have very
long.’ I quietly reached over and shut off the
meter.
‘What route would you like me
to take?’ I asked.
For the next two
hours, we drove through the city. She showed me
the building where she had once worked as an
elevator
operator.
We drove through the
neighborhood where she and her husband had lived
when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in
front of a furniture warehouse that had once
been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a
girl.
Sometimes she’d ask me to slow
in front of a particular building or corner and
would sit staring into the darkness, saying
nothing.
As the first hint of sun was
creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, ‘I’m
tired. Let’s go now’.
We drove in
silence to the address she had given me. It was
a low building, like a small convalescent home,
with a driveway that passed under a
portico.
Two orderlies came out to
the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were
solicitous and intent, watching her every move.
They must have been expecting her.  I
opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to
the door. The woman was already seated in a
wheelchair.
‘How much do I owe you?’
she asked, reaching into her
purse.
‘Nothing,’ I
said
‘You have to make a living,’ she
answered.
‘There are other
passengers,’ I responded.
Almost
without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She
held onto me tightly.
‘You gave an
old woman a little moment of joy,’ she
said.
‘Thank you.’
I squeezed her
hand, and then walked into the dim morning
light.. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound
of the closing of a life..
I didn’t
pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove
aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that
day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had
gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient
to end his shift?
What
if I had refused to take the run, or had honked
once, then driven away?
On a quick
review, I don’t think that I have done anything
more important in my life.
We’re
conditioned to think that our lives revolve
around great moments.

But great
moments often catch us unaware-beautifully
wrapped in what others may consider a small
one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY
WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID ~BUT~THEY WILL
ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM
FEEL.

It’s that time of the year again…yes you guessed it… Super Bowl Sunday. Time to watch LOTS of Football, Half- Time entertainment, great commercials, and most of all, LOTS of delicious party food.

It does not matter if you like football or not, or if you care about the Pittsburgh Steelers , or the Green Bay Packers, the important thing is that you will be surrounded by your family and friends to have a good time together.

If you are still searching for recipes for your party, search no more, because I am about to give you a list of my favorite recipes.

Ham Canapes (very easy, presentable and delicious)

Jalapeno Corn Dip ( for the vegetarian on your list)

Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip (everyone’s favorite)

7 Layer Guacamole Dip (yummy..)

Swedish Meatballs (quick, delectable, filling)

Texas Caviar (another meatless dish)

Mrs. Z’ s Deviled Eggs (can’t beat these!!)

Pesto Sun-Dried Tomato Cheese Spread (sooooo good…)

Caramel Apple Dip (great for the underage crowd…)

Turkey Taco Ring (presentable and really tasty)

Rye Bread Dip (oldie but goodie..)

Tzatziki Dip (for the vegetarian in your crowd)

Lemon Basil Hummus (very healthful dip)

City Chicken (a party must…easy to snack on)

Calico Beans (better than chilly)

Veggie Platter (healthful and crunchy)

Non-alcoholic Punch (for the party animal having fun without alcohol)

Your list is ready.

All you have to do now is to prepare a shopping list, and coordinate some kitchen help to put it all together, for that special day.

MAY THE BEST TEAM WIN!!!!

It has been a while since I shared some useful tips with you, from ecomii website, which I find very informative.

This one is about eating whole foods, rather than processed foods.

Please enjoy this tip.

Today’s tip: Eat Whole Foods Instead of Half Foods

What?
Boost your nutrition – and reduce food industry pollution – by eating whole foods whenever possible.

How?
Is it processed?  Labeled as “low-fat” or “enriched”?  If so, skip it, and look for pure food in its natural state.  Good examples are fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Why?
The food industry emits over 24 million tons of CO2, and a large part of that comes from processing and packaging food.  Plus,  whole foods are indisputably healthier.

Did You Know?

Whole grains can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 30%.

The holiday  hustle and bustle is almost over (don’t count your blessings yet….it starts all over again in the  New Year, you knew that, right?), so lets take some time out for a good laugh.

Nothing beats fun “wisdom” from Maxine:

****My husband and I divorced over religious differences. He thought he was God and I didn’t.

****I don’t suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.

****Some people are alive only because it’s illegal to kill them.

****I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

****Don’t take life too seriously; No one gets out alive.

****You’re just jealous because the voices only talk to me

****Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

****Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.

****You’re just jealous because the voices only talk to me

****I’m not a complete idiot — Some parts are just missing.

****Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.

****God must love stupid people; He made so many.

****The gene pool could use a little chlorine.

****Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.

****Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?

Are you feeling better yet? Good!

You know that laughter is not only the best medicine, but it also burns calories!!

photo credit: Iain Farrell

Thanksgiving time is for families and friends to get together and be thankful for all their blessings bestowed upon them during the last year, and throughout their life.

I am very grateful for having a wonderful, loving family, and for all the blessings we all are enjoying.  Being a grandmother is the most rewarding experience in the world, and right now, my husband and I are blessed with two beautiful grandchildren, and more to come in the future.

I am also very thankful for all my friends whom I personally know, and all of my blog readers.

THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH for visiting my site, leaving comments, and being part of my everyday life, connected via Internet.

This December I will celebrate my 2nd Blogging Anniversary, and am very pleased to inform you that my readership started with 600 visits per month, and currently it stands at 4500, and growing.

ALL THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!

Besides  this blog, suburbangrandma.com is also actively connected through Facebook and Twitter.

I am equally thankful to all my followers from Facebook (95 as of this post), and Twitter (69 and growing).

If you enjoy reading my posts, please keep the list growing by becoming my follower, and spread the word to your family and friends.

My readers come from 89 countries, all over the globe, so today I would like to list the top ten, as per the Analytics Report, and thank everyone for their time and loyalty:

1. United States of America
2. Canada
3. United Kingdom
   
4. Australia
5. India
6. Philippines
   
7. Brazil
8. Ukraine
9. Germany
10. Netherlands

Seeing these results fuels me with additional energy, perseverance, and a definite continued dedication of my time and effort, to keep my blog going that much stronger.

H A P P Y   T H A N K S G I V I N G!!!

It’s time to start getting my garden ready for winter…summer is almost over…so, I am using up all the veggies which are ready at this time.

I do not can any of my vegetables, but I do freeze parsley, dill, basil and sorrel.

I tried freezing chives last year, but the process changed their taste more than I cared for.

Today, I pulled out few red beets, to free up some space for the other ones.

I use beets in soups, borscht, and salads.

Today I will share a recipe for a delicious red beet salad.

Even if you never were a big fan of red beets, you should give this one a try, and I am sure you will LOVE it.

I had this salad at my friend’s house, and could not believe that red beets were the main ingredient, since all the other flavors  added a very unique taste, and texture to this salad.

Ingredients:

• 3-4 small red beets, cooked and grated on a large eye grater (1 cup)
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced ( I love my garlic chopper)
• 1 Tbs red wine vinegar
• 1 Tbs mayonnaise (or Greek Yogurt) see TIP below
• 1 Tbs sour cream
• 3 pitted prunes (or  1 Tbs raisins), coarsely chopped
• 1 Tbs walnuts, coarsely chopped
• 1/3 tsp black pepper
• Pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Trim off leaves and roots from beets.
2. Rinse under running water.
3. Place beets in a pot, and fill the pot 3/4 full with cold water.
4. Bring to boil, cover, and cook until beets are soft (about 45 minutes).
5. Drain water, and let beets cool down.
6. Scrape off their skin, and trim any rough spots.
7. Rinse.
8. Shred on a grater with large eyes, or in a food processor.
9. Mix in all remaining ingredients.
10. You may serve the salad immediately, or cover and refrigerate for an hour, or overnight, for the flavors to blend.

TIP: If you plan to use Greek Yogurt rather than mayonnaise, you might want to use a little less of the wine

vinegar, depending on your own taste.