Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Onions from Seed

Onions are super easy to grow from seed as long as you start 10-8 weeks prior to transplanting.  I usually add 20 seeds per cell and the seeds grow into long blades of grass. The First couple weeks in April is a perfect time to transplant onions as they are cold tolerant, however, I'm waiting for my fertilizer and mulch to "cool" a little so they don't burn my starts. I decided to test transplanting my starts into a bigger pot while I wait. I've never transplanted onions twice so we will see what happens.

If this is your first year with onions, and the starts are ready to go, here are a few tips after you harden off the seedlings. (Letting the plants sit outside during the day for a few hours at a time to acclimate.) 
Sweet Spanish Yellow Onion (Awesome in Utah)

  • Harden off the plants
  • Make sure the soil is moist, making it easy to separate the onions
  • When you pull the clump of seeds & dirt from the container, carefully separate the grass like blades and their roots
  • Cut roots that are longer than three inches 
  • Stick your finger deep into the soil creating a hole 
  • Twirl the grass blade helping the roots into the hole
  • Bury the onion until the white/red area is covered
  • Water every other day until roots establish (maybe two weeks) 
  • then water one a week until harvest.

Red Onion

Monday, April 9, 2012

Egg-xtravaganza

Where to begin....I survived Easter with a few bruises! I don't know why, but I really wanted to start some Easter traditions with my little guy. What I learned is he couldn't care less, and it is exhausting!

I had big plans- A fancy breakfast for the family, an Easter picture with fresh, spring outfits, fun baskets, an uplifting message about Christ's sacrifice, an exciting Easter egg hunt, etc. However, (do to my procrastination and lack of planning) it was absolute chaos.


Breakfast of sourdough pancakes didn't quite pan out as I forgot to grow my starter the night before, frozen quiche it was!


Running off to church meetings, I left Thom in charge of getting Brad dressed in is new, spring outfit. Thankfully, he took a picture (above) before leaving for church because this is the only picture we have before Brad destroyed his first tie with chocolate covered pretzels. 


Church was but a little tricky to stay focused as poor Brad was exhausted and squirmy, so I spent the majority of the service outside on the grass.




When we made it home, I REALLY wanted to do this cute picture I saw on Pinterest. Brad would have none of it, and honestly I don't blame him! I guess I'll hang on to this picture for ransom someday.

You can kind of see it, but Brad is BAWLING in this picture. BAWLING! I'm such a mean mama, but I didn't want those stupid ears to be bought in vain. -Sigh, I know...stupid! Poor little thing. 


We then took tired Brad to a family party where tears dripped from his chin during the Easter egg hunt. Thanks to Thom's camera skills, we at least snapped one shot of Brad picking up an egg not crying. 

On Your Mark, Get Set...

Picture of the day
 Next shot was Brad hurting his foot. That's when I decided it was time to throw in the towel!
At least after all the many hurdles yesterday, we came away with a few pictures. Hopefully, they will be reminders to not push a one-year-old to enjoy MY holiday celebration, and a reminder to myself to LET IT GO! 

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Chow Mein for Easter

I always looked forward to holidays as a child. We celebrated EVERY holiday and had several traditions with each. Saint Patrick's Day, we ate green waffles and watched Darby O' Gill and the Little People. For Valentine's Day, mom streamed red and white crepe paper above the dining room table in preparation for a "romantic" family feast. Even for birthdays, sisters toilet papered our rooms while we slept, and we always expected breakfast in bed with french toast and a small bouquet of flowers from the yard.

Now as a mother, I realize all the time and effort my sweet mom spent making childhood colorful. She really had a knack for creating something from nothing. My sister Sue has followed our mothers footsteps and continues fun traditions with her children.


Today, the kids made one of their favorite treats...chocolate chow mein bird nests-just in time for spring. This is a super easy recipe and loads of fun for the kiddles. Plus, it is pretty tasty too!



Ingredients

  • Bag of Chocolate Chips
  • Dry Chow Mein Noodles
  • Robin Eggs

Directions

  • Melt chocolate chips in the microwave until smooth
  • Pour chocolate over dry chow mien noodles and toss until noodles are coated
  • Scoop a big spoonful on a plate and quickly form a circle or a "nest" (this is the kids favorite part)
  • Let the chocolate harden and add chocolate Robin Eggs- then eat!