Newsletter 28 – September 25, 2008

Events       Make a Decorating Statement This Fall       New World Chili

Why the Fall is so important for Gardening

Why did the scarecrow win the Nobel Peace Prize?

Apparently he was outstanding in his field.  joke 1

Don’t Miss Out on Scarecrow Fun

Only 4 days left for you to bring your whole family to our Make-A-Scarecrow Workshops, which run from 10 – 4 daily through September 28.  For many of you, this is fast becoming an annual event.  If you’ve never built your own scarecrow, it’s definitely time to start.  We guarantee you’ll have fun.  For more details, see Upcoming Events below.

While you’re here, this Saturday, September 27, from 10 – 2, we will have FREE children’s activities, including a scavenger hunt and fun digging activities.  Pumpkin painting is FREE with a pumpkin purchase.  At the same time, you can pick up a bale or two of straw, pumpkins, corn shocks, and some of our fabulous home-grown mums to create a traffic-stopping fall display.

The Law of the Theater –

At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last. joke 2

Fall Perfection

Fall has officially arrived.  Very soon cooler temperatures will, too.  Nothing says fall like the fabulous fall-blooming chrysanthemum.  America’s Best Flowers has always been known for our perfect mums, which are available in a wide range of colors.  We grow them in deep nursery pots in our very own mum fields.  These beautiful, dome-shaped plants have unbelievable bud and flower counts. A wonderful value at our regular price of $11.99, they become a tremendous one when you buy them in quantity.

Buy 1- 4 Mums     Pay only 9.59 each

Buy 5- 9 Mums     Pay only 7.99 each

Buy 10-19 Mums       Pay only 6.99 each

Buy Over 20 Mums           Pay only 5.99 each

At these prices they make unbeatable gifts!

Whoever said there is nothing new under the sun has not seen the incredible ‘Frost-Kissed’ mums at America’s Best.

We start with a perfect chrysanthemum, add some magic and the result is a shimmering masterpiece.  Stop out today for a peek.

The Law of the Bath –

When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings. joke 3

MAKE A DECORATING STATEMENT THIS FALL

Everywhere you look at America’s Best,          interesting fall displays are filled with Indian corn, gourds, pumpkins (including white ones), broom corn, bagged straw bales, scarecrows and netted corn shock bundles.  Our creative team has outdone themselves demonstrating ways to bring exciting color and merchandise together for great fall decorating.  To make things really easy for you, we’ve put together autumn bundles, which include combinations of straw, corn shocks and mums at great savings.  Combine them with your very own scarecrow, and make a REALLY unique decorating statement!

The Law of Gravity –

Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner. joke 4

Did You Know?

This past Monday, September 22, at 8:44 am, the sun was directly over the equator resulting in equal amounts of daylight and darkness.  While this event happens at the same exact time every year, gardeners know that for them ‘fall’ is determined more by temperature.  Fall is defined for us as the months following sweltering heat and preceding heavy frosts and freezes.  Here in Wisconsin this is typically September and October.

True gardeners know that fall is the most important season for gardeners because it is the best time for planting many perennials and shrubs.  For the plants, the soil is still warm, and there is usually dependable rainfall.  For the gardener, the weather is cooler and there are fewer pesky insects to deal with.

Warm soil temperatures encourage root growth, which will continue until the ground freezes, allowing the plants to begin growing early in the spring.  Covering the surrounding soil with two to three inches of mulch allows it to freeze much later, giving your plants a longer time to grow roots.  By summer, the deep-rooted plants will be well established, and able to withstand the heat and drought it brings.  Established plants are also less susceptible to stress from insects and disease.

Another plus to planting in the fall is that available plant material is often bigger, a result of the faithful watering of skilled nursery workers.  If you are really lucky, you may even find what you are looking for at discounted prices.  America’s Best Flowers invites you to come on out today and choose from our remaining inventory of perennials, trees and shrubs, at 50% savings. 

The Law of the Result –

When you try to prove to someone that a machine won’t work, it will. joke 5

2009 Garden Journal Available

The Madison Area Master Gardeners Association publishes an annual garden journal as a fundraiser.  For information visit their website at: http://www.madison.com/communities/mamga/library.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Through September 28– Scarecrow Days Make your own scarecrow. 10-4.  Fun for the entire family. FREE popcorn on the weekends. On Saturdays we will also have FREE kids’ activities from 10-2.  $12.99 includes everything except the clothes. You can bring your own or buy here at garage sale prices.

“Due to recent budget cuts, and the spiraling cost of energy,

The light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.

We apologize for any inconvenience.” oke 6

BONNIE’S KITCHEN

It’s that time of year again, when we begin to crave stews and soups. The cranberries are what make the unique taste of this delicious dish. To make it easy, there are stores that offer peeled, cleaned and cubed winter squash, saving you time, and a lot of effort. To me, it’s worth every penny of extra cost.

New World Chili

Serves 6

1 lb. boneless turkey breast, cut into 1” pieces

1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes

1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained

1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce

1 cup peeled, seeded, cubed butternut squash

1 medium onion, chopped

½ cup chicken broth

½ cup frozen corn

½ cup dried cranberries

1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped

1 T chili powder

1 garlic clove, minced

2 cups shredded fresh spinach

4 oz. Monterey jack cheese

In a 5 qt. slow cooker, combine turkey, undrained tomatoes, beans, tomato sauce, squash, onion, chicken broth, corn, cranberries, jalapeno, chili powder and garlic.

Cover and cook on low for 10-12 hours or on high heat for 5-6 hours.

Stir in spinach just before serving. Sprinkle with cheese.

Per Serving: 259 calories, 17 mg cholesterol, Total Carbohydrates 37.9g, Fiber 10.7g, Protein 14.5g, Total fat 7.3g, Saturated fat 4.1g 

From Better Homes and Gardens by Urban Gardener

My personal variation includes the following changes:

2-3 c squash, 1 c corn, 1 c broth, ¾ c cranberries, and 2 jalapenos

Want to see an awesome autumn recipe? Go to:

http://www.bhg.com/recipe/stews/pumpkin-cider-stew/ 

A thief in Paris planned to steal some paintings from the Louvre.

After careful planning, he got past security, stole the paintings,

and made it safely to the van.

However, he was captured only two blocks away when he ran out of gas.

When asked how he could mastermind such a crime

And then make such an obvious error, he replied.

“Monsieur, that is the reason I stole the paintings.”

“I had no Monet

to buy Degas

to make the Van Gogh.joke 7

SEE YOU SOON!!!